I didn't make it to the Audies Awards in Los Angeles this year, but I was glad to be able to watch the livestream, which gave all of us an opportunity to see and hear brilliant narrators being celebrated for their talents. And I'm glad to shine a spotlight on the audiobooks in my favorite category. Each of the five finalists in the mystery category delivers a unique story brought to life by super talented narrators.
Two of the finalists transport listeners to San Francisco. Amy Chua’s THE GOLDEN GATE seamlessly blends historical and police procedural, with undertones of noir and family saga. In his Earphones Award-winning performance, narrator Robb Moreira portrays police detective Al Sullivan, who is investigating the murder of a prominent industrialist in San Francisco’s posh Claremont Hotel in 1944. Following the audiobook's conclusion, listeners are treated to a compelling conversation between author Amy Chua and narrator Moreira.
In VERA WONG’S UNSOLICITED ADVICE FOR MURDERERS by Jesse Q. Sutanto, narrated by Eunice Wong, San Francisco serves as the backdrop for a narrative rich in humor and poignant insights into the immigrant experience. Eunice Wong masterfully embodies the personality of Vera, someone who doesn’t always understand the way she shows up to others—thus the laugh-out-loud moments. In addition, Eunice Wong is brilliant at conveying the characters from different backgrounds that form a little community around Vera. This audiobook, recognized as one of AudioFile’s 2023 Best Audiobooks selections, is also slated for television adaptation.
Humor is also key to the very inventive MURDER YOUR EMPLOYER: The McMasters Guide to Homicide by Rupert Holmes, narrated by Golden Voice Simon Vance and actor Neil Patrick Harris. These two amazingly talented narrators sweep us away to The McMasters Conservatory, which has been called a Hogwarts for adults. Interspersed though the story, Simon Vance reads to us from The McMasters Conservatory for the Applied Arts handbook. Having two such gifted narrators uplifts the story and provides an exceptionally entertaining experience.
A LINE IN THE SAND by Kevin Powers and narrated by Christin Lakin takes a much more serious tone. This is a modern-day police procedural combined with an international thriller. In this Earphones Award winner, Lakin successfully differentiates American characters and international players. Listeners might also recognize Lakin from her performances as Renée Ballard in the Michael Connelly series.
In contrast to the audiobooks above, the final entry, A WORLD OF CURIOSITIES by Louise Penny and narrated by Robert Bathurst, is the latest addition to a long-running, very popular series. This Earphones Award-winning audiobook is the 18th in the Inspector Gamache/Three Pines series. Actor Robert Bathurst, known to many for his character who abandons Edith at the altar in Downton Abbey, took over for the late Ralph Cosham with the 11th audiobook and has certainly made the characters his own.
And the winner in the Mystery category is: VERA WONG’S UNSOLICITED ADVICE FOR MURDERERS. Congratulations!
The winner in the Thriller/Suspense category was ALL THE SINNERS BLEED by S.A. Cosby, narrated by Adam Lazarre-White. You can learn more about S.A. Cosby and this audiobook in my interview with the author.
Congratulations to all of the finalists and winners. You can find the full list of winners on the APA website.
