The Singer's Gun

By: Emily St. John Mandel

Narrated by: Morgan Hallett

From the award-winning, bestselling author of Station Eleven and Sea of Tranquility, “a gripping story, full of moral ambiguities, where deception and betrayal become the norm, and where the expression ‘a riddle wrapped in a mystery, inside an enigma’ is lifted to new heights” (St. Louis Post-Dispatch).

Everyone Anton Waker grew up with is corrupt. His parents dealt in stolen goods, and he was a successful purveyor of forged documents until he abandoned it all in his early twenties, determined to live a normal life, complete with career, apartment, and a fiancée who knows nothing of his criminal beginnings. He’s on the verge of finally getting married when Aria—his cousin and former partner in crime—blackmails him into helping her with one last job.

Anton considers the task a small price for future freedom. But as he sets off for an Italian honeymoon, it soon becomes clear that the ghosts of his past can't be left behind so easily, and that the task Aria requires will cost him more than he could ever imagine.

Look for Emily St. John Mandel’s bestselling new novel, Sea of Tranquility!

Critic reviews

“A gripping story, full of moral ambiguities, where deception and betrayal become the norm, and where the expression ‘ a riddle wrapped in a mystery, inside an enigma’ is lifted to new heights.” —St. Louis Post-Dispatch

“Brilliant.” —The Boston Globe

“Something far rarer than the classic noir opening suggestions. . . . Eminently satisfying.” —The Washington Post

“Big in concept, flawless in tone, The Singer’s Gun is a tender and astounding tour de force.” —Mystery Scene

“Mandel’s talent is clearly visible from the get-go.” —Los Angeles Times

“Recklessly entertaining. . . . A modern morality tale.” —The New York Journal of Books

“A nail-biting thriller overflowing with high-stakes issues such as blackmail, theft, fraud and human trafficking.” —BookPage

“Intriguing and suspenseful.” —Library Journal

“Mandel’s second novel is an extraordinarily written meditation on identity, chance and choice. . . . Nothing short of breathtaking.” —The Howard County Times

“Gripping.” —Booklist

Great book! Highly Recommended! Very good story.

I enjoyed this book very much, it broke a streak of 4 books I chose to return part way in.

Another Winner

Ms St, John Mandel is a master storyteller. Sometimes you have no idea where you’re going but it is a great journey. I have read four of her book and love them all

Best ESJM so far!

This was probably my favorite Emily St. John Mandel book so far! And I have read all of the ones that are out. This book is about criminals, yes.. but don’t expect to page turning chase scenes, gun fights, or corporate intrigue. That being said, it’s not an overly emotional book either, it just examines a complicated web of relationships over time and the evolution of right and wrong based on a specific perspective and point in time. This book did not have the sort of magical realism of Sea of Tranquility, or the sci-fishness of station eleven, but this book took its place in the ESJM canon without disappointing.

Scattered hopeless beauty

The writing and the narration is beautiful, and the atmosphere and the themes render associations to ‘the stranger’ and ‘death in venice’. So if the author wants to depict Lives deployed of meaning and agency, she has succeded. Of course there is an intricacy that lifts the overall experience of the intertwined destinies. But still reading this book was no pleasure to me, especially having finished lustening to it I get overwhelmed with feelings of hopelessnes and impotence.

Good twist

Interesting plot and outcome. Morgan Hallet did a Good reading as well. This was my first family St. John mandle book.