New Reviews: Mystery & Suspense

In this ninth volume of the Tier One thriller series, narrator Ray Porter succeeds first and foremost by not getting run over by the propulsive narrative. Unsurprisingly, this production is wall-to-wall action. Yet during the rare quiet moments, Porter's nuances make listeners care about the characters: the members of the black-ops team Task Force Ember, a new POTUS, even a... Read More

Golden Voice Narrator Nicholas Boulton dives into this alternate-history adventure. Sir Seaton Begg and Dr. Sinclair Philips are metatemporal detectives--gumshoes who solve crimes in many different worlds. This installment is set in 1930s Europe, where the pair are seeking the Red King, a group of assassins who are committing murders throughout Istanbul. Boulton's stentorian... Read More

Despite occasional murders, this audiobook exudes warmth as two damaged people from even more damaged families work to solve a nearly 100-year-old mystery. Greg Hernandez delivers an understated performance of the unlikely couple. Del Honeycutt has never looked very deeply into his family's history, which is filled with inept men on the wrong side of the law. Sabrina, a... Read More

Narrator Sonny Archer is challenged to perform this gothic tale of love, inheritance, rape, and murder, set in the early 1900s. Unemployed Zeb Wyckham accepts his older cousin's invitation to visit Lackaday House in Dartmoor. When Zeb arrives, he's surprised by the presence of multiple relatives, along with his ex-lover Gideon Grey. They've all gathered to marry off the senior... Read More

Suzanne Toren has been the crisp, approachable voice of Episcopal priest Clare Fergusson since the beginning of this series 10 books ago. Toren also portrays Fergusson's husband, former police chief Russ Van Alstyne, and the denizens of Millers Kill. Toren's accents, tone, and cadence are immediately recognizable for listeners who know these characters, and she does equal... Read More

Five unique and equally compelling narrators come together to impart a glimpse of Atlanta's erotic dance scene in this gritty thriller. Two years ago, Lucky, a dancer, vanished from Boom Town, the most famous gentleman's club in the city. Before her disappearance, Lucky had been distancing herself from her lover, Lyriq, and spending time with a mysterious customer named Thomas.... Read More

Talented narrators, replete with diverse accents, dramatize Book 2 of the Amelia Peabody mystery series, featuring Egyptologist Amelia Peabody--wife, mother, and brilliantly clever archaeologist--and her husband, the intrepid archaeologist Radcliffe Emerson. Here they return to Egypt in 1892 to excavate a pharaoh's tomb and catch a murderer. Narrator Nanette Savard takes on the... Read More

Martin Jarvis and Anna Burnett deftly present this two-part story of a young steeplechase jumper, Imogen, and her jockey boyfriend, Liam. Burnett's portrayal of determined Imogen's growing success is exciting, while details about horses, racing, and jockeys add interest. Drama escalates as Imogen defends herself against a violently jealous Liam and, unwisely, threatens him.... Read More

Narrator Daniel Henning brings a group of quirky characters to life in this audiobook. When the body of the local mayor is found in the garden of their bed-and-breakfast, vampires Arthur and Sal are considered the obvious suspects. So they set out to prove that they've settled in Trident Falls, Oregon, to have a quiet life, not to murder the locals. Using accents and subtle... Read More

Heather Long provides a remarkable performance of this mystery. In 2003, a high school class is assigned to write letters to their future selves; 20 years later they receive them. Totally unexpectedly, one of the missives reveals a shocking secret about the earlier death of a classmate. That revelation leads another classmate, Miranda, to commit suicide--at least, that's how... Read More

Narrators Mia Barron, Johnny Heller, and Catherine Ho help listeners navigate the complex plot of this conspiracy thriller. The story, which shifts between the present day and 1962, starts with a mysterious series of phone calls that ground hundreds of flights across the nation. Sixteen-year-old Charlie, whose grandfather was a military pilot, finds herself drawn into the... Read More

Narrator Grover Gardner provides a fresh delivery of this prequel, which chronicles defense attorney Andy Carpenter's early career. When the young lawyer goes to the local animal shelter to adopt a dog, he doesn't expect to end up with two. Meeting the second dog's owner, who's been accused of a crime, leads Andy to switch from prosecutor to defense attorney. Gardner's delivery... Read More

Golden Voice Hillary Huber delivers a compelling performance of the latest addition to the Angelhart Investigation series. Fierce, independent PI Margo Angelhart--now working for her family's agency--takes on a pro bono case involving a teenager believed to have died of an overdose. The sprawling Angelhart clan appear throughout, highlighting Margo's ongoing struggles with... Read More

A full cast delivers a gripping listening experience in this fast-paced audio exclusive. Australian journalist Chrissy, a new mom, stumbles upon a photograph linked to a decades-old cold case. In 1980, Michael and Gloria Katzenbach were murdered at a ski resort where Chrissy's neighbor, Linda Calway, worked. Suspense mounts as Chrissy gathers clues to the killer's identity by... Read More

Narrator Linda Emond's deliberate pacing and the building tension of her delivery create a compelling listen. The latest installment of the Temperance Brennan series finds the forensic anthropologist in Charlotte, North Carolina, with her volatile niece, Ruthie, when a string of small-animal mutilations escalates to the murder of a woman. Tempe partners with semiretired... Read More

Nick Sullivan's sure-footed, commanding narration propels this prequel to the author's military action-adventure series set throughout the Caribbean--though this first installment takes place in the Florida Keys. Listeners are in excellent hands as Sullivan returns to portray rugged, highly capable retired Force Recon Marine Jesse McDermitt, bringing him to life with grounded,... Read More

Katherine Littrell and Eden Gabay present this Covid-era journey aboard the Orient Express, a celebration for Australian cancer survivor Joe Penfield, who is accompanied by his twin sister, Meredith. Spirited descriptions of luxurious decor and dining, along with an international cast, are Christie-esque. It's shocking when a blood-soaked body is found in a locked cabin and,... Read More

Two narrators portray Claire as she returns to her hometown. She's still haunted by her sister's murder years earlier. While there, she takes a job on a local farm run by the eccentric Mitchell and his wife, Marcia. After Claire discovers Marcia's hidden diary, she learns of a sinister cult that her sister may have been involved with. Karissa Vacker's talents are on full... Read More

Golden Voice Narrator Hillary Huber presents the 21st crime novel featuring Sheriff Joanna Brady of Arizona. Huber captures all of Brady's focus, relentlessness, confidence, and skill. The other major character in this gruesome story is Steve Roper, a well-respected chemistry teacher whose summer hobby is murdering people. Huber bores into the mind of a killer who slaughters... Read More

Narrator Marnye Young takes listeners back in time to New York City in 1920 to create the atmosphere of Mariah Fredericks's latest mystery. The story ties together three elements: the unsolved murder of the gambler Joseph Elwell, the reporting of journalist Morris Markey for THE NEW YORKER, and the glamorous lives of Scott and Zelda Fitzgerald. Young carefully channels each... Read More

Listeners are treated to a nonstop thrill ride in Reese Witherspoon's first novel and Harlan Coben's debut collaboration. An exceptional cast, including Witherspoon herself, brings to life a host of vividly drawn characters from around the globe. Maggie McCabe, a gifted reconstructive surgeon who's lost her license, seizes a chance to return to the operating room when a Russian... Read More

Louise Brealey's marvelous performance of Susie Dent's enthralling debut mystery is so enticing that one wishes it would last forever. The story does end, but not before Brealey beguiles us with revealing characterizations and beautifully paced conversations. When lexicographer Martha Thornhill returns to Oxford after years abroad, she begins work at the Clarendon English... Read More

Victorian amateur detective Charles Lenox is back--though he's still recovering from wounds he suffered during his previous case. James Langton, longtime narrator of the series, is simply perfect as the dedicated, gentlemanly Lenox. Langton voices all the secondary characters with equal precision and care. Lenox is pulled in several directions as he tries to recover his health... Read More

Fiona Shaw's inviting narration captures the humor and intrigue of this delightful new Thursday Murder Club mystery. The retirees are busy with their own lives--especially Joyce, who's helping to plan her daughter's wedding. However, when Nick, the best man, tells Elizabeth that someone is trying to kill him and then disappears, the sleuths are on the case. Shaw gives the... Read More

Bianca Amato's performance perfectly re-creates the wonderfully realized characters in Alexander McCall Smith's latest No. 1 Ladies' Detective Agency episode. Listeners will enjoy the company of wise Mma Precious Ramotswe, owner and founder of the agency; Mr. J.L.B. Matekoni, her husband and owner of Tlokweng Road Speedy Motors; and her irrepressible assistant, Mma Grace... Read More

Sophie Amoss narrates this intriguing mystery set primarily onboard the International Space Station. Though Commander Lucy Poplasky had mused about making her mark during her mission, she never dreamed she'd find herself investigating sabotage. After an ammonia leak threatens the station's crew, Lucy must discover whether it was caused by their Russian counterparts or by a... Read More

In this satisfying thriller, Casey, voiced with nuanced flair by Patricia Santomasso, must negotiate the late night arrival of a bloody knife-wielding girl without being able to call for help due to a vicious storm. Tina Wolstencroft narrates the backstory, which involves Ella, an isolated teen with a controlling mother who is an abusive hoarder. Wolstencroft manages the tricky... Read More

Narrator Lorelei King masterfully voices the second entry in this series. Recovery Agent Gabriella Rose commits to getting her ex-husband's cousin out of trouble by traveling the globe to retrieve missing art and antiquities. With her ex, Rafer Jones, Rose confronts lots of villains. The plot stretches believability, but listeners seeking a fun romp filled with colorful, and... Read More

Narrator Louisa Zhu introduces listeners to four librarians who work together at a public library in Austen. The game night held on Hazel Lee's second day on the job seems to go well--that is, until police arrive to question staff about the murder of an attendee. After another patron is killed, the librarians uncover threads that implicate one of them. To avoid being arrested,... Read More

Kaipo Schwab's strong narration is the perfect match for this inventive tale, recently translated from Japanese, which blends a murder mystery with a Groundhog Day-style time loop. Schwab excels in his portrayal of Hisato, a teen who uses his time-loop ability to try to prevent his grandfather's murder. Schwab's skillful characterizations provide clear, distinct voices for the... Read More

This character-heavy cozy gets off to a slow start as author Jo Nichols introduces its many characters. The intrepid narrators, Meg Price and Jim Meskimen, take some time to settle into the particular personalities and voices of the 14 people they portray, becoming more engaging as the story moves forward. Each chapter features a different character. Sometimes they're linked to... Read More

Narrator Malcolm Hillgartner excels at portraying Charlie Chaplin and Albert Einstein as they race to thwart a Nazi terrorist plot. Set in 1930s Los Angeles, this historical thriller provides a chilling window onto America on the brink of WWII. Listeners also get to hear Hillgartner bring to life Douglas Fairbanks, Paulette Goddard, and a full complement of American and German... Read More

Vikas Adam's excellent narration gives personality and distinction to the characters in this audiobook. Several members of the queer rights organization called the Mattachine Society have disappeared, and Private Investigator Evander "Andy" Mills is hired to find them. When Andy's investigation takes him to the psychiatric clinic where his mother works, he must confront her and... Read More

Eric Priessman presents this mystery, set in Maryland. After 14-year-old Julie Morgan and her twin sister, Heather, have an argument, Julie heads to school alone. When she never arrives, Jim Brady, a 12-year veteran police officer and longtime resident of Morgan's Landing, is called into action. His dedication and kindness are movingly rendered. Priessman is at his best when... Read More

Petrea Burchard's portrayal of Mrs. Plansky brings to life a believable and endearing character. Listeners will feel like they've met the witty, athletic 70-year-old before. A widow who is caring for her 90-something father, Mrs. Plansky embarks on a daring mission to solve the kidnapping of her son and her tennis partner, who is also her love interest. Burchard's... Read More

In the mid-19th century, a young man named Ben flees troubles at home in London's East End, only to find himself embroiled in murder and mayhem in Constantinople. There he meets a wide cast of characters who both help and hinder as he tries to uncover the truth behind a series of unexplained deaths. Liam Gerrard's steady narration balances Ben's naïveté and surprisingly capable... Read More

Former New York City Detective Nico Doyle has retired to Italy to enjoy the quiet life. But his peaceful existence is disrupted yet again when he's asked by a young girl to find her father and clear his name of murder. Scott Aiello's narration brings Nico and a wide cast of diverse characters to life. Aiello creates a highly believable ex-detective in Nico, and his... Read More

This full-cast production offers some great listening. Detective Midge McGowan is dismayed by her coworkers' retirement gift--a ticket to a weekend haunted house tour. Encouraged by her wife to attend, she reluctantly agrees. Other attendees include a married couple, a pop diva, a ghost-obsessed podcaster, the bus driver, and the owner of the tour, who is a former police... Read More

When the body of Oliver Beresford washes ashore with two bullet holes in it, the three indomitable belles of Marlowe are on the case. Narrator Nicolette McKenzie's sparkling performance amplifies the charm of this cozy mystery. Her distinctive portrayals capture the warmth and wit of the trio: Judith, the eloquent and plucky 79-year-old leader; Suzie, the incorrigible, spirited... Read More

Listeners are introduced to a large group of characters as the layers of an elaborate con unfold. In 1884, Alice, known in New York City as the Grand Duchess of Würrtemberg, is going to exact revenge upon the five robber barons who ruined her father and, consequently, her whole family. Narrator Megan Trout reveals Alice's plan and crew at a leisurely pace that allows listeners... Read More

In this fascinating mystery, a late-night radio host's worst fear comes true. Narrators Helen Laser and Will Collyer keep listeners engrossed, Laser in particular, as Nola Strate realizes that the serial killer who murdered her babysitter--and almost murdered her--might be back after more than a decade. Is she actually seeing the masked killer stalking her, or is her... Read More

With ambient sounds and the shifting voices of various characters, this production immediately draws the listener into an unfolding crisis. U.S. and Mexican agents uncover a cartel's lethal synthetic drug scheme, which infects an entire village with deadly parasites. The full-cast ensemble and subtle sound effects--footsteps, weapons clicking, and voices muffled by gas... Read More

When a gay, bipolar doctor concludes that the death of his boss, his archenemy, may have been foul play, his life begins to go crazy. And nobody does "crazy" better than voice-over magician Andy Serkis. Serkis matches the rhythm and satirical tone in what can only be called "comic British noir." Besides performing Scottish and posh British accents, Serkis adds a dead-on voice... Read More

The narrators depict a lavish Sweet Sixteen party. Kate Handford portrays Dani, the young, cool stepmother of the birthday girl, Sophie. Handford's voice trembles as Dani fights the crippling anxiety she works so hard to hide. Saskia Maarlveld portrays Kim, Sophie's mother. Her bitter tone reflects both her situation and her near constant state of inebriation. Suzy Jackson... Read More

Billed as "the lost novella," this audiobook includes an introduction by Leonard biographer C.M. Kushins, which explains how the work was created and its place within Leonard's oeuvre. Narrator Anthony Rey Perez smoothly delivers the audiobook, a mystery revolving around migrant farmworkers. At times, Perez is reminiscent of the late Frank Muller, whose husky narration and... Read More

George Blagden's pleasant performance of William Boyd's second suspense novel about occasional spy Gabriel Dax floats equably along like a story told over a glass of postprandial whiskey. It's an adventure set in 1963 England and Berlin, where, between conducting MI5 jobs, Dax and his compatriots savor many cocktails and cigarettes. Blagden's vocal register rarely varies from... Read More

Michael Connelly proves that the criminal defense attorney Mickey Haller, aka the Lincoln Lawyer, has successfully jumped to the civil side with this riveting courtroom drama. Narrator Peter Giles, the voice for the series, smoothly shifts among male and female characters, embodying figures as varied as a troubled teenager and a seductive digital AI companion. Connelly's plot... Read More

Narrators Dion Graham and Fred Berman once again demonstrate their mastery of their craft in this James Patterson thriller. Graham returns as Alex Cross, fully embodying his multiple facets: loving family man, psychology scholar, and determined detective. Berman portrays serial murderer Gary Soneji to scarily calm perfection. Berman's performance allows listeners to inhabit... Read More

In Claudia Gray's fourth outing in the world of Austen, Billie Fulford-Brown's narration keeps everything wonderfully droll. Amateur detectives Jonathan Darcy and Juliet Tilney once again find themselves up to their necks in murder, this time during the height of the London Season. Jonathan has tender feelings for Juliet, but the Darcys don't approve. Fulford-Brown expertly... Read More

Dan Brown has done it again--created another scintillating story that mixes real science and recent discoveries with things existential--perhaps the most existential of all. Fans will be riveted by Paul Michael's narration as the story delves into the science of human consciousness and questions of what happens to our "self" once our physical body gives out. Michael captures... Read More

These two loosely entwined novellas are set in Japan. The first, SEESAW MONSTER, is set against the backdrop of the booming 1980s. Former Special Agent Miyako must form an alliance with her mother-in-law, whom she hates and suspects is a murderer, to rescue her kidnapped husband. Pun Bandhu's narration excels at characterization; he makes the two female protagonists highly... Read More

This inventive audiobook introduces seven unlikable guests who attend a sumptuous dinner in London that is hosted anonymously. The crisp voice of Jacqueline King introduces each diner: Vivienne, a bitter, journalist; Tristan, a standoffish computer nerd; Matthew, a womanizer; Gordon, a bulimic nutritionist; Melvin, a gay cop; Stella, a You-Tube creator; and Janet, a... Read More

In this Chicago-based audio thriller, the life of Krista Evans, a physical therapist who hosts a relationship advice show, is disrupted by a deranged follower who threatens violence. Narrator Cynthia Farrell strikes appropriate vocal notes for the live-stream professional. But, overall, the audiobook has too many lengthy renditions of the show's content to hold the average... Read More

Golden Voice Narrator January LaVoy returns to the world of Chief Medical Examiner Kay Scarpetta in this new thriller in which not even Christmas morning is safe. A serial killer is projecting ghost-like holograms into the homes of those they kill. The most recent victims point Scarpetta toward a notorious psychiatric hospital and the secrets kept by some of the most powerful... Read More

Fingerprint analyst Shaw Connolly, who works in a small community in Maine, has arrived first at many a grisly murder scene. Saskia Maarleveld portrays the gritty yet vulnerable Shaw as she continues her 16-year mission to identify her sister's killer. Her obsession is ruining her marriage and obstructing her family's ability to move forward. Maarleveld ramps up the tension... Read More

Chris Andrew Ciulla's balanced performance is hilarious yet fully grounded. Operating as ex-military guns for hire, Skwerl and Big Cheese take a job to retrieve a luxury jet. When the job goes sideways, they wind up traveling the globe to set things right. While current news items such as the war in Ukraine punctuate the story, the main events effectively mix humor and action.... Read More

The Finch sisters are drawn into another mystery, with Soneela Nankani returning as narrator. Remi joins Eliana and Maeve on a search for Eliana's estranged husband, Chad, after they find a severed fingertip at his ransacked home. Evidence and Eliana's strange behavior cause Remi to question her loyalty. Will this mystery unravel the sisters' new bond? Nankani portrays tension... Read More

Listeners are treated to a well-produced, full-cast production with fitting sound effects. The result is a captivating listening experience. Set in early-twentieth-century Minneapolis, the story unfolds through multiple points of view conveyed through journals, newspaper articles, letters, and court proceedings. The tale of Addie Strongwood, accused of murdering her beau,... Read More

George Guidall evokes resentment and obsession in this queer thriller, set on the isolated Turkish island Büyükada. Fehmi and ener have spent 40 years in love. Yet despite having an intimate group of friends, the men have hidden their marriage, living as "retired companions" with bitterness bubbling under the surface. When Deniz and his family move in next door for the summer,... Read More

Fiona Hampton creates a panoply of amusing and sinister voices for the residents of Sweetbriar, budding detective Beatrice Steele's new London neighborhood. This second installment of screenwriter Searles's engaging Regency mysteries finds our intrepid heroine ostensibly searching for a wealthy husband, while actually working with Inspector Drake at their newly opened... Read More

Narrators Danielle Savre, Alicia Crowder, Dan Bittner, Matt Godfrey, and Janina Edwards bring this compelling thriller to life. Jenna, a therapist, tells herself she's snooping on her husband's texts to save their marriage. What she discovers are disturbing messages between him and his cousin, Bodie, about a dancer who claims Bodie assaulted her. Jenna realizes the dancer is... Read More

Narrator Melissa Advani captures a mother's worst nightmare when her child goes missing during a family holiday in India. Struggling with doubts about her husband's faithfulness and her own mental health, Jo begins receiving threatening texts shortly before the trip abroad with her husband's business partner and his family. When her son disappears from their rental cottage,... Read More

Narrators Cris Dukehart and Eric G. Dove return to the North Carolina/Tennessee town of Rocky Start, where most of the inhabitants are former spies. Max Reddy, also a former operative, had been hiking the trail when he stopped in Rocky Start and formed a relationship with Rose Malone. Dukehart portrays Rose and her daughter, Poppy, while Dove portrays Max. Max wants to get back... Read More

In this third entry in the series, narrator Jack de Golia portrays unofficial PI Bobby McGowan, who reluctantly agrees to unravel the truth behind a possible snuff video filmed 30 years earlier. De Golia portrays Bobby with a youthful guy-next-door voice that matches Bobby's personality. He skillfully differentiates male characters--young and old, heroes and villains. His... Read More

Narrator Kathleen Early delivers a consummate performance of this complex crime novel, skillfully voicing every character--ranging from a sulky teen to a swaggering drunk--with distinction. Early's nuanced portrayals anchor the story, which introduces Deputy Emmy Clifton and her legendary North Falls family. The mystery begins with the disappearance of two teenagers during a... Read More

Narrator Carlotta Brentan skillfully voices all the characters in this audiobook. As Cath goes through her late mother's effects, she discovers two nonrefundable tickets to a fake murder week in a quaint English town. She decides to go alone to discover why her mother wanted her to attend. Brentan demonstrates talent at both English and American accents. During her stay, Cath... Read More

Michael Beck brings his best Southern drawl to his portrayal of a wealthy, eccentric widow, Eleanor, and her small-town debt-ridden lawyer, Simon, who is eager to handle her fortune. When Eleanor dies under suspicious circumstances, evidence strongly points to Simon, who must find the true killer before he loses everything. Beck infuses his characters with drawls befitting... Read More

Emily Pike Stewart's performance evokes the misty hollers of the Blue Ridge Mountains of North Carolina. Private investigator Annie Gore takes on a cold case in a rural Appalachian town. Ten years earlier, three girls vanished; apple head dolls were left in their place. As Annie questions the local townsfolk, she begins to suspect that whoever took the girls may still be... Read More

The lives of four women change course on Halloween when a dead body is found nearby in DeCarolis's story of deceit and abuse, deftly narrated by January LaVoy. Each woman has a secret that must be protected at all costs. LaVoy captures the apprehension that newlywed Hannah feels when she receives threatening notes in the mail. After Georgina takes Hannah under her wing, LaVoy... Read More

Kirsten Potter's resonant narrative voice guides listeners safely through the red herrings of Carol Goodman's locked-room mystery set on an isolated Greek island. A group of writers has reconvened on the island 15 years after their first traumatic meeting. Their apparently AWOL host has set in motion dangerous events with which the group copes as its members navigate their... Read More