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The Dispatcher

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The Dispatcher

By: John Scalzi
Narrated by: Zachary Quinto
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About this listen

Winner, 2017 APA Audie Awards - Original Work

Zachary Quinto - best known for his role as the Nimoy-approved Spock in the recent Star Trek reboot and the menacing, power-stealing serial killer, Sylar, in Heroes - brings his well-earned sci-fi credentials and simmering intensity to this audio-exclusive novella from master storyteller John Scalzi.

One day, not long from now, it becomes almost impossible to murder anyone - 999 times out of a thousand, anyone who is intentionally killed comes back. How? We don't know. But it changes everything: war, crime, daily life.

Tony Valdez is a Dispatcher - a licensed, bonded professional whose job is to humanely dispatch those whose circumstances put them in death's crosshairs, so they can have a second chance to avoid the reaper. But when a fellow Dispatcher and former friend is apparently kidnapped, Tony learns that there are some things that are worse than death and that some people are ready to do almost anything to avenge a supposed wrong.

It's a race against time for Valdez to find his friend before it's too late...before not even a Dispatcher can save him.

©2016 John Scalzi (P)2016 Audible, Inc. Adventure Crime Fantasy Fiction Science Fiction Murder Disappearance Detective

Critic Reviews

"The hero of this book is narrator Zachary Quinto, who makes a potentially confusing story simple and compelling. With a voice that sounds trained, he reaches right through the speakers and grabs listeners, making them want—no, need—to listen." (AudioFile)

"Quinto has a perfect hardboiled noir manner, which is exactly what you’d want for Valdez." (Locus Magazine)
All stars
Most relevant
I downloaded this book because it was free. one of the best I've listened to.

Very surprised by this one.

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A good listen and quite an original thought.
Have to love Zachary Quinto impersonations and emotions as he reads.

Felt like the story could have used a bit more meat, but as a short story it flows great.

Interesting ideas in a quick read

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Brilliant rendering of a brilliant story. Writing a short story truly tests a skill set of any author - no matter what his/her previous success. Here is a master.

A Must Buy, Must Listen choice.

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definately worth a listen, with an excellent performance from Quinto, and great writing from Scalzi.

Great novella, and a real treat.

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I listened to the first 5 minutes and knew I was destined for disappointment. I knew that two hours wasn't long enough, that I'd be left wanting more. This turned out to be (overwhelmingly) correct.

I am a long time Audible subscriber, but here I was facing two firsts.

1. I'd never read a book by John Scalzi. This has changed. I've already purchased another of his titles based solely on the engaging, tense narrative in The Dispatcher.

2. I'd never listened to a book narrated by Zachary Quinto. I can't remember a better performance in an audio book, honestly. He could read the Yellow Pages and it'd be a bestseller.

I read later that this whole project was initiated by Audible to showcase the medium (hence the "Free" price tag). Mission accomplished; I have already sent this to three friends as an "introduction" to my audio book fascination and I haven't stopped raving.

Two more things need to happen:

1. Mr Scalzi, please add my voice to the chorus requesting more from this "world". A great concept.

2. Producers, book Mr Quinto for more gigs.

Thanks for reading my review :)

A perfect symphony

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