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  • The Apollo Murders

  • Apollo Murders, Book 1
  • By: Chris Hadfield
  • Narrated by: Ray Porter
  • Length: 15 hrs and 14 mins
  • 4.6 out of 5 stars (143 ratings)

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The Apollo Murders

By: Chris Hadfield
Narrated by: Ray Porter
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Publisher's Summary

An exceptional Cold War thriller from the dark heart of the Space Race, by astronaut and New York Times best-selling author Chris Hadfield.

1973: a final top-secret mission to the Moon. Three astronauts in a tiny module, a quarter of a million miles from home. A quarter of a million miles from help.

As Russian and American crews sprint for a secret bounty hidden away on the lunar surface, old rivalries blossom and the political stakes are stretched to breaking point back on Earth. Houston flight controller Kazimieras 'Kaz' Zemeckis must do all he can to keep the NASA crew together, while staying one step ahead of his Soviet rivals. But not everyone on board Apollo 18 is quite who they appear to be.

Full of fascinating technical detail, twists and tension, The Apollo Murders puts you right there in the moment. Experience the dark majesty of space, the fierce G-forces of launch and the rush of holding on to the outside of a spacecraft travelling at 17,000 miles per hour, as told by a former commander of the International Space Station who has done all of those things in real life.

Strap in and count down for the ride of a lifetime. 

©2021 Chris Hadfield Inc (P)2021 Hachette Audio

Critic Reviews

"An exciting journey into an alternate past." (Andy Weir, author of The Martian)

"Nail-biting." (James Cameron, writer and director of Avatar and Titanic

"Not to be missed." (Frederick Forsyth, author of The Day of the Jackal

What listeners say about The Apollo Murders

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exceptional entertainment

This is brilliant story. Coming from a former astronaut it has detail and authenticity. The story is gripping and well written.
Ray Porter's narration is exceptional. The voice characterisations offer a real and dramatic feel.
Overall a highly entertaining way to listen.

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Unexpectedly awesome

The technical detail and compelling character development makes this one very hard to turn off. A brilliant story from start to finish and I for one can't wait to see what Chris can do next.

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Intense and thoughtful thriller

Loved the real-as-life perspective Chris Hadfield brings to this historical thriller, and the many nods and overlaps to real people and events makes it educational too. Ray Porter is the perfect narrator for 1970s cold-war era protagonists.

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Riveting

As a strong adherent of Chris Hadfield, this fictitious book was intricately entwined with realism culminating from years of actual aviation and experience gleaned from the various space programs. The narration was awesome and I highly recommend the listen.

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A whole new world to expolre

Thoroughly enjoyable! If you like learning new things, being a sponge for fascinating space travel information and a great storyline then this is a great audiobook for you! Ray Porter should forever narrate any scientific books I read, he's brilliant.
The Apollo Murders was only my second book of this genre, and I was skeptical about spending my monthly credit on another after loving Project Hail Mary and being scared of nothing else living up to the hype, but I just couldn't stop listening to this!
The characters probably all could have done with a little more 'depth' and there are a lot of them, but most of them are actually real people (within fictional events) and the important plot driving characters were given the main focus.
The last half of the book was definitely action driven, the first half focusing on setting up characters, dropping clues and relationships.
There were definitely characters I liked, and some, I loathed.
The end was a pleasant surprise.
Overall, very enjoyable and I'd recommend it if you liked PJM.
I'm looking forward to spending my money on the next book by this author.

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Amazing.

This is a must listen if you're an engineer. It will push your buttons.

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Good fun. Full of science goodies.

Chris surprised me as an author. Is there anything this man can't do!?
It's a good fun book, full of technical detail that could only be written by someone who has actually been to space and spent a lot of time in the space program.
Would make a great movie. Nothing profound just a fun alternate history.
Ray Porter does his usual outstanding job as narrator.
Must read for anyone interested in the moon landings.

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Is there nothing you can't do, Sir?

A great story. I love the attention to detail and Chris' first hand experience adds depth to the realism of this harrowing ride.

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Must make this a Movie.

Chris has many talents and I loved the way he brought his astronaut knowledge to this book. I Wont spoil it but a little predictable ending. Over all great job. Loved it..

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Absolutely phenomenal, can’t wait for the movie!

Chris Hadfield brought such incredible authenticity to this story and Ray Porter was the perfect choice for the narrator, he’s one of the best in the business - after the Bobiverse books he was a perfect choice for this
Colonel Hadfield has created an incredible story
It’s so incredible yet totally plausible

It’s space exploration, action, humanity, politics, a whodunnit and just absolutely wonderful

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  • Richard
  • 24-08-2023

Mission almost impossible

When I saw that Ray Porter was reading Chris’ book I was very excited. Thank you Chris Hadfield for making real space into a novel. I’m going to call it Faction not fiction. Great story and characters. If anyone is interested in space travel this a great book

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  • Barbara Jerin
  • 18-05-2023

Exhilarating story

Very well put together by a person who has seen it all. Highly recommended for enthusiasts regarding space and rockets. I also enjoyed some well put technical and physics details and short explainers inside the story.

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  • Stephan Nobs
  • 27-11-2022

Exciting book. Suspense packed. Thrilling novel.

Great story, great reading performance. Couldn’t stop listening. Nice insights into world of astronauts and space travel.

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  • Hoheria
  • 15-01-2022

A good listen but …

This was an easy listen. Okay story but really stereotypical characters. That’s also a bit of showing off about technical knowledge that wasn’t really necessary. I like the narrator but I keep on thinking Bobbiverse when I hear him.

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  • Kalin B
  • 08-01-2022

Crime book that became much more interesting

This book has an odd title. Sounds like a crime book and in a way - it is, but is much more than that. This is like David Baldacci and Dean M. Cole in to one book. All events are very realistic and very interesting. I was constantly eager to take the phone and listen to this book until I finished it.. had troubles with my wife because of this. Excellent job Hadfield and Porter! I hope you guys can come with more books!

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  • Oliver Breidenbach
  • 20-11-2021

A truly great story

"There is no way out for this story" you're thinking all the way through the book and then there is. One that is so believable because it has been conceived by a person who's really been there, done that.

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  • PaulC6230
  • 13-10-2021

Absolutely Brilliant Thriller

This was an amazing thriller by Chris Hadfield. As a former astronaut the details in this are excellent not too over complicated for the listener. The story flows at a decent pace and I never found myself bored with slow bit which there wasn’t any if I mind correctly. The narration by Ray Porter was as usual par excellence. Highly recommend if you’re into Astronauts / Apollo / NASA or Space in general.

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  • Ms C Symington
  • 27-10-2021

Knowledge before story!

So looked forward to this but so disappointed I returned it. If you really want to know loads of information about flying, space missions and pounds per square inch, you’ll love it! Obviously the author being who he is I was expecting some detail and indeed looking forward to a bit of insider knowledge but it totally swamped a very uninteresting story. Was not incredibly impressed with the narrator either. After struggling through about a third, I returned it. Thanks Audible for letting us do that for things that truly disappoint. I don’t usually like to write negative reviews but feel another view might be helpful.

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  • Kent Bird Lover
  • 09-10-2022

Best book I've listened to in ages

I loved The Apollo Murders. Yes, there's a lot of technical detail, but I felt I was in the rocket and on the moon with the astronauts.

The only flaw is how the psychologists at NASA failed to spot a pretty obvious psychopath!

Please write more Chris

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  • James A. Tucker
  • 19-12-2021

astoundingly credible detail

As you might expect from an astronaut, the detail of space travel is incredible and the star of the show.
It's a thriller not a detective story, the intruige of who can speak to who and who can overhear (eg in space suits on the moon, you cannot speak to each other without America hearing, and Russia but only when death in right position) is well done.
Sadly let down by audio cutting out for a bit in middle, and there is a huge plot hole which makes the climax nonsensical.

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  • Kevin Walsh
  • 17-11-2021

Totally feasible, well read novel.

Gripping, story about a possible scenario involving Apollo 18, built, but never launched. Was used in mid 70s Appollo/Soyuz orbital link up.

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  • Bad Monkey
  • 21-10-2021

A rare gem for space nerds and fans of thrillers.

Cmdr Hadfield seems to be able to turn his mind to anything. This is an impressive book, factually and historically as accurate as fiction can get. Respectful and deeply familiar with US and Russian (Soviet) characters.

It joins a growing list of Alt. realities where Apollo 18 took place. but so far it is the ONLY one (in my arrogant opinion of course) that is any good.

Enjoy.

PS. It goes without saying that Ray Porter nails it yet again.

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  • OB1990
  • 28-11-2023

Incredible story!

An excellent read. Love how Chris has interwoven fact within fiction on such a believable scale. The detail gives the characters so much more life and drama. Highly recommend.

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  • W.M.
  • 20-11-2023

Fantastic Thriller, Impeccable!

Really exciting story from the real deal - the astronaut Col. Chris Hadfield. I have already bought the sequel, The Defector. Excellent stuff - and if you get the chance to see a talk by Col. Chris, take it. He’s riveting and spellbinding, just like his writing!

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  • Kendo Hannen
  • 16-10-2023

Visceral, raw and real.

I won't spoil the story, I'll just say this: incredible. Buy the book, you won't regret it.

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  • Craig
  • 16-09-2023

Dramatically detail

Really enjoyed this. Hadfield's real experience provides engagingly tangible detail among the plausible yet wild narrative.

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