The Child cover art

The Child

An Audible Drama

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The Child

By: Sebastian Fitzek
Narrated by: Rupert Penry-Jones, Jack Boulter, Emilia Fox, Stephen Marcus, Robert Glenister, Andy Serkis
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About this listen

Shortlisted for the BBC Audio Drama Awards 2015

My name is Simon. I’m 10 years old. I’m a serial killer. Robert Stern (Rupert Penry-Jones), a successful defense attorney, doesn’t know what lies in store for him when he agrees to meet a new client in a derelict estate on the outskirts of Berlin. Stern is more than surprised, when his old love interest and professional nurse Carina (Emilia Fox) presents him a ten year old boy as his new client: Simon (Jack Boulter), a terminally ill child, who is convinced he has murdered many men in a previous life.

Robert’s surprise turns into horror when he and Carina find human remains in a cellar the boy has led them to. The remains of a man whose head has been split with an axe 15 years ago - just like Simon claimed he had. Things go from bad to worse within hours when Stern discovers more dead bodies, the investigating police officer Engler (Andy Serkis) starts to chase him as a suspect in the murder cases, and his own past comes to haunt him. Stern’s friend and former criminal Andi Borchert (Stephen Marcus) is the only one to believe Stern and Carina. Hunted by the police, and led by Simon’s memories, they start to investigate shady sub cultures of Berlin, and soon discover things that are more gruesome than anything they could have imagined…

Audible Studios London presents a gripping audio dramatisation by Sebastian Fitzek, Germany’s most successful thriller writer, whose books are read around the world in more than 20 different languages. This unabridged dramatisation introduces listeners to a completely new approach to audio entertainment, a full-length dramatised book adaption with an original score and soundscapes from the heart of Berlin. Featuring amazing performances by a cast of over 20 actors in a breathtaking plot, The Child provides a truly immersive listening experience.

Like this and looking for more unabridged multicast drama from Sebastian Fitzek? Then simply type ‘Amok’ in the search box, download and enjoy!

©2014 Audible Studios (P)2014 Audible Studios Psychological Suspense Thriller & Suspense Scary Exciting England Fiction

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Editor reviews

‘My name is Simon. I'm 10 years old. I'm a serial killer.’ Thus begins the brilliant The Child, an audio drama from Audible Studios. In this audiobook, German author Sebastian Fitzek paints a chilling portrait. Defence attorney Robert Stern is persuaded by his old flame, nurse Carina, to take on the case of a young, terminally ill boy who claims to recall past-life experiences of murdering several men. Following Simon’s instructions, Robert and Carina are shocked to uncover several dead bodies around the shady areas of Berlin, and soon detective Engler has Robert in his sights as a suspect. With voice performances by Rupert Penry-Jones, Emilia Fox, Robert Glenister and the brilliant Andy Serkis, The Child is an astonishing drama.

Critic reviews

"The Child is an unmissable milestone for fans and newcomers to audio dramas alike. A compelling, star-studded drama that mixes narration, performance, music and soundscapes into a moving story about a troubled young boy and a shocking series of dark crimes in Berlin. Essential listening," (David Hewson, author of The Killing series, co-author Hamlet, Prince of Denmark: A Novel and Macbeth: A Novel.)
"Fitzek’s thrillers are breathtaking and full of wild twists. The only disappointment : there is, inevitably, an end to the story!" (Harlan Coben)
"Action-packed and edgy, The Child is a dark and immersive listening journey." ( AudioFile)
All stars
Most relevant  
I'd definitely recommend this. The additional dimensions added by the multiple actors and sound effects make this a very engrossing format. All of the actors were very good in their roles and the narration was top notch.

The story strays into some difficult areas, there is violence and it descends into the world of the paedophile although it steers clear of going too far. The plot builds well and the very chilling "Voice" works very well.

I think some people might find the ending just a little weak but I liked it well enough. I will look out for more of these "radio plays" from Audible in the future.

Chilling, Difficult in places, but damn good!

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Is there anything you would change about this book?

Like listening to a terrible radio play. I stuck with it until the end but really wished I hadn't bothered. I've listened to around 150 audiobooks and this was by far the worst.

What did you like best about this story?

It appears that a great story was lost in overproduction

Do you think The Child needs a follow-up book? Why or why not?

Not unless it's an unabridged reading of the book

Any additional comments?

My mum has since listened to the recording and disliked it as much as I did.

Dreadful

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The story line is okay with a good twist but it's a long story, in some places far too long. Overall I wouldn't rate this book as brilliant. I also didn't find the performance that good, it all just sounded a bit cheap.

only an okay book

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Thoroughly enjoyable book, great acting, storyline and subject matter. However, I thought the sound mix was very poor, there were places when the dialogue was unclear, drowned out by music, and the effects of certain voices so over processed, virtually impossible to make out what was being said. It spoilt it for me.

Gripping Drama

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I really enjoyed the story and the voice overs. Very absorbing when I could not sleep.

an enjoyable listened-to

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I did enjoy this audioi play.
I think "Amok" was better but maybe because I'm listening to these out of order.
I may even buy the German originals!?

Plenty of twists and turns in the plot

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Totally enjoyed this book. If you like Thriller and suspense Story you will like this. I must admit I will be looking out for other books by Sebastian Fizek. 👍🏾

The Child.

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What did you like most about The Child?

This was an outstanding purchase, my favourite yet from Audible. There are some very talented readers out there but having well-known actors performing a specially adapted audible-version of a book takes the medium to another level. Please do more of these Audible!

What was one of the most memorable moments of The Child?

The story really stuck with me - would definitely like to re-listen again to this performance.

What about the narrators’s performance did you like?

Great actors, really brought the story to life for me.

Was this a book you wanted to listen to all in one sitting?

Absolutely.

Setting the Bar for Audible Releases

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What made the experience of listening to The Child the most enjoyable?

Just an easy way to relax after a long day at work and listen to the story

What a great way to relax after a hard day at work

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Excellent narration and acting by all in this chilling tale. Not easy listen by any means, but not entirely devoid of hope, which is remarkable seeing its dark subject matter.

Some hope in the darkness

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