I suppose it’s appropriate for Reilly’s adventure, set in a US-run scientific base in Antarctica, to be read in an American (actually, a Canadian) accent. Nonetheless, it’s initially a little off-putting for an Australian production of an Australian novel. Sean Mangan’s reading is well-paced, if a little flat and ‘radio announcer’ in tone at first. As the plot develops and the action begins, Mangan’s reading comes to life, although in some dialogue-heavy action sequences he does get a little shouty. Reilly has earned an enviable reputation in the last few years for his action-filled, page-turning high-tech thrillers. Many of his readers are apparently young men in their teens and 20s, often otherwise reluctant readers who may not have read a book since school. I wonder how many of those sort of readers would have the patience—or even the opportunity—to listen to over 15 hours of audio book? The question of abridgement is a difficult one in the world of audio books, but in this case, I suspect that a much shorter rendition could have been more effective. And with the amount of mayhem, death and explosions being described, perhaps some sound effects would come in handy?