New Reviews: Mystery & Suspense

Nneka Okoye's spirited performance brings out all of the humor, drama, and sentiment that overtakes Marchfield Square when a thoroughly disliked tenant is murdered in Number 10. The landlord, an elderly heiress, has no faith in the police, so she employs two of her tenants--Audrey, her cleaner, who knows everyone in the Square, and Lewis, a reclusive, struggling crime... Read More

Taking "alibis" as their inspiration, the six talented authors of this audiobook provide listeners with unique stories ranging from a woman who is on death row to a celebrity chef who is found dead in his freezer. Each story unfolds like a novella in multiple chapters. The narrators are well matched to the characters and settings, and bring the suspenseful plots to life. Each... Read More

Vanessa Johansson adds charm and texture to this light mystery with a twist. Her warm, approachable tone fits Mia Crawford's book-loving, anxious personality, which contributes to her transformation into an accidental detective. Johansson navigates the changing moods of the story with ease--balancing beachside flirtation, quiet introspection, and rising suspense without losing... Read More

Daphne Kouma impressively brings to life an array of endearingly eccentric characters in this delightful book-oriented mystery. Listeners meet flighty Nova, who initiates a reading club at the community center; outspoken Miss Marple superfan Phyllis; shy Star Wars loner Ash; sweet romantic fiction enthusiast Arthur; and new mysterious member Michael. When $10,000 is stolen and... Read More

Narrator Matthew Lloyd-Davies takes on the first installment of this series featuring a somewhat OCD barrister who becomes involved in a copyright case and a murder investigation. In a story based on true events in the Inner Temple of the Inns of Court (UK) in 1901, Ward stumbles upon the dead body of the Lord Chief Justice of England. Pompous magistrates and judges team up... Read More

Narrator Adenrele Ojo returns to portray intrepid attorney Avery Keene and her resourceful crew of talented friends. Author Stacey Abrams tackles the world of AI and its potential for enhancing patient care and reducing biases in medicine. Ojo masterfully differentiates a wide cast of characters ranging from human players to the AI entities central to the story. Listeners will... Read More

Gregory Abbey's excellent narration creates a diverse cast of characters who work for the National Park Service's Investigative Services Branch. Agent Michael Walker is investigating the smuggling of artifacts in Alaska. When he uncovers clues linking the crimes to FBI Agent Gina Delgado's investigation of the death of an environmental science intern in Florida, the two find... Read More

Jim Frangione impressively conveys the 1920s San Francisco atmosphere in these seven Dashiell Hammett stories. Listeners meet private investigator Continental Op, a self-described short, chubby, unathletic guy. In "Arson Plus," Frangione humorously conveys Op jumping into a citizen's car to follow his quarry. "Bodies Pile Up" finds three bodies tumbling from a closet, each... Read More

Listeners are introduced to forthright Egyptologist Amelia Peabody in this new full-cast adaptation. Nanette Savard consistently presents Amelia as she travels through Egypt on her way to Cairo, recounting her knowledge of the archaeological wonders around her. Amelia maintains her calm as she manages her companion; spars with the growly, brooding Emerson Radcliffe, voiced by... Read More

Near a picturesque Dorset village, the corpse of a publican is found seated in a chair on an empty road with antlers glued to his head. This dramatic opening certainly captures the attention of listeners, who will be caught up in this police procedural by the creator of the television series "Broadchurch." Jessica Gunning, an actor familiar to many television viewers, narrates... Read More

Narrators Claire Skinner and John Hopkins take listeners through this story of a long divorced couple and the crime that led to the end of their marriage. Decades ago, Isabel and Edward were attacked by a violent intruder and forever changed. Now that the attacker, a well-known serial killer, has been caught, the two must face him in court at his sentencing. Skinner's... Read More

Victoria Villarreal and an ensemble of narrators perform this dark literary thriller revolving around a serial killer who brutally mutilates victims. Villarreal performs the section of the novel featuring Professor Cristina Rivera Garza, who stumbles across a body and becomes the first informant in what will be a string of murders. Villarreal's narration is subtle, capturing... Read More

Amanda Stribling juggles a gentle-sounding Southern character, a dangerous redneck, and a Northern gangster in Book 5 of Burke's Holland Family Series. At the turn of the 20th century, 14-year-old Bessie Holland faces a violent and racist world. She figured out her father was dating a madam and that the local sheriff was trying to run her teacher out of town for being gay--and... Read More

Listeners must pay close attention to follow the many personas of this mystery's frighteningly sinister main character, expertly performed by Richard Armitage. The man shifts names, identities, and relationships as he jumps from one woman to another--each of whom he's conning, may be married to, or has children with. The women, all emotionally entangled, are masterfully voiced... Read More

Christina Traister portrays seasoned Special Agent Constant Marlowe, who has been a bit toughened by years of frustrating cases and hardened criminals. Finding herself downstate from her usual Chicago haunts and surrounded by vast cornfields and seemingly naïve and honest small towners, Marlowe is in search of an organized crime member she hopes to flip as a witness for the... Read More

Délé Ogundiran's narration brings intensity and clarity to an international thriller with a sprawling cast. Detective Ethan Krol has a lot to untangle in his latest murder case. All signs of guilt point to Abidemi, a Nigerian woman in England who claims to right ancestral wrongs by returning long-lost heirlooms. Ogundiran shifts smoothly between British and Nigerian-inflected... Read More

Will Damron embodies the wacky characters in Hiaasen's latest sardonic look at contemporary America. Damron shines as he portrays the dim-witted Dale Figgo, who, in an afternoon rainstorm, happens upon hitchhiker Viva Morales, a clever but broken divorcee. Damron gives a sympathetic tone to Viva as her troubles increase while working at the Mink Foundation, a crooked... Read More

The latest political thriller by Bill Clinton and James Patterson comes alive through the dynamic performances of a skilled team of narrators. The plot revolves around First Gentleman Cole Wright, who is on trial for the unsolved murder of a New England Patriots cheerleader during his days as an NFL star. Spanning the years between the crime and the trial, the story follows... Read More

Jacques Roy's superbly paced narration is perfectly matched to this story. When Helen asks Jerry to help her wreak a little revenge on her ex-husband, Jerry seeks the help of his friend, Bunny. This triggers a series of events that puts Jerry and Bunny in increasing danger as their lives spiral out of control. Roy creates a strong and believable character in Helen, while also... Read More

Sheila Mitchell's gravelly timbre is well suited to this circuitous historical mystery set in 1930s London. In it nothing is quite what it seems. Grisly murders that occur throughout the novel are delivered with a tone of detachment that adds an additional layer of anxiety to the disturbing subject matter. Mitchell leans into an Estuary English accent for the young journalist... Read More

Anthony Rey Perez's adaptability as a narrator is showcased in this crime story/police procedural, the first unabridged audio version of Elmore Leonard's 1985 breakout novel, GLITZ. Perez masters the snappy dialogue--including accents native to Puerto Rico, Miami, Atlantic City, and Detroit--and his hushed delivery aligns with one of Leonard's darkest crime stories. When... Read More

It must have been difficult for BJ Harrison to narrate this supernatural audiobook with his tongue so firmly planted in his cheek. Let's lay that obstacle at the feet of Dean Koontz. The master of suspense opts to regularly break the fourth wall in this work, and Harrison spreads Koontz's snarky tone throughout this production. The heart of the audiobook is the "four amigos," a... Read More

Narrator Patricia Zamora jumps in with full force with over-the-top voices in this fast-paced audiobook, which follows the aftermath of an accident in Texas. A collision that leaves a woman dead and a man on the run sets in motion a chain of events fueled by a selfish politician, several cops, a low-life family member, and a TV reporter. Zamora gives everyone involved--all the... Read More

Nano Nagle's witty narration of the second audiobook in this series brings Hattie Cocker to life. Hattie is a freelance theater stage manager, a sometimes tutor at a minor theater college, and an amateur sleuth. Hattie accepts a temp job for a West End theater company, but when she arrives, she discovers the body of the show's composer, Lel Novak. Nagle infuses Hattie's... Read More

Gareth Armstrong and Michael Fenner portray Sherlock Holmes and his trusty sidekick, Dr. Watson, along with their archenemy, Moriarty, and the psychopath Colonel Sebastian Moran. The surprise in this story is that the four are working together against the forces of evil. Armstrong and Fenner's distinctive tones make the plot easy to follow, and they cope well with the cast of... Read More

Phil Dunster's narration draws listeners into this mystery revolving around the now illegal collection of birds' eggs. The story is based in Yorkshire, England, in the 1920s and then jumps to current times. Listeners follow the journey of a rare egg that is found by a girl who risks her life by joining the many men who are precariously dangled over the edges of cliffs to obtain... Read More

Vikas Adam narrates this second book in the Valerius Mysteries series, which is set in ancient Rome and features investigator Aemilius Valerius. As playwrights, poets, and artists prepare for Nero's birthday celebration, a poet is attacked, and Valerius must solve the case. Concurrently, a bloodless corpse is found, and Junius Atreus must find the murderer. The two friends work... Read More

Narrator Adam Lazarre-White once again immerses listeners in a dark, complex world crafted by S.A. Cosby. This gripping story explores identity, justice, and long-buried family trauma. When Roman Carruthers returns to his hometown to care for his dying father and support his sister, he's drawn into rescuing his troubled brother. As past and present collide, the mystery of their... Read More

Mary Russell's favorite uncle, Jake, turns up at her door after many years of absence. Mary finds herself caught between loyalties to her world-famous husband, Sherlock Holmes, and her ne'er-do-well uncle. Topnotch performances in alternate sections by Amy Scanlon, Steven Crossley and Jefferson Mays make King's latest Russell/Holmes outing sound like a full-cast audiobook. An... Read More

Kristin Atherton shows off her vocal versatility throughout the second installment of the adventures of Lady Augusta Colebrook and her twin, Julia. Both are avid amateur detectives who hide behind the facade of being "old maids." Together, they seek justice for women who are mistreated by their husbands, brothers, or fathers, including Lady Hester, who has been brutalized and... Read More

Jorjeana Marie beautifully narrates the story of 17-year-old Arizona, a puzzle-solving loner who is still reeling from her father's recent death. When her mother is kidnapped by members of a mysterious organization while they're traveling, Arizona is forced to solve progressive cyphers and other puzzles that may solve an ancient mystery. Marie is outstanding at portraying... Read More

Helen Laser adopts a gravelly voice for this story of love, jealousy, and secrets. The creepy plot involves a painting titled "Marguerite By The Lake" and takes place at a garden estate named Rosecliff. Phoenix, a gardener, has a tumultuous affair with owner Geoffrey Gray, which is followed by the unfortunate death of his wife, Marguerite. Her death appears to have been an... Read More

Times have changed for John Rebus in this audiobook: He's not just a retired detective; now he's an ex-cop in prison who has been convicted of murder. Siobhan Clarke is heading up a missing-person investigation from a different Edinburgh office, while her friend Christine Esson has her old job and is investigating a murder that took place two doors down from Rebus at the... Read More

Debra Michaels's lively performance takes full advantage of the descriptive scenes and energetic dialogue in this first novel from playwright Mel Pennant. Miss Hortense, who immigrated to the UK from Jamaica in 1960, was the backbone of her suburban Birmingham neighborhood. She even ran the Pardner, a money-raising and savings club that allowed members to accumulate modest... Read More

A quartet of narrators tells the story of Amber, a wannabe private investigator who moves in with her heretofore unknown grandmother in her retirement community when her latest relationship fails. Her grandmother, Jade, portrayed by Cynthia Darlow, is a true-crime podcaster. When a member of the podcast team is found dead, Amber puts her PI knowledge to the test. Darlow... Read More

Kimberly Farr delivers a pitch-perfect performance in this cozy mystery featuring widowed Mrs. Muriel Blossom. Just when she needs a fresh start, Muriel finds a winning lottery ticket and sets off for a Seine River cruise. On her way to Paris she meets the gentlemanly Allan. With his help, she is upgraded to business class and receives a sleep aid, which causes her to miss her... Read More

Clearly, care and effort have gone into this audio production. Claire Warrillow's voice is lovely, and intervals of effectively spooky music add atmosphere. Warrillow voices Agatha Dorn, a solitary, resentful, gin-soaked, lesbian grammar snob and crank who might have been fun to watch on TV but is far less appealing as an unpleasant first-person voice in your head. Agatha is... Read More

Narrator Emily Pike Stewart has the energy and pitch needed to create authentic characters and captivate listeners. Working as a wilderness guide, Emlyn has a new simple life that keeps her safe and prevents her from thinking about her past--that is, until the man who ruined her life and left her for dead years ago shows up to ask for her help in finding Janessa. Reluctantly,... Read More

Jessie Mueller provides a rich, satisfying performance that should please fans of King's audiobooks, particularly his most recent works. By now, King has fully embraced the detective genre. Private investigator Holly Gibney is back--with her dizzying intellect, ability to think through tough cases, and relatable quirks. The story is a revenge plot that has the murderer... Read More

Narrator Clare Corbett brings struggling author Jane Hepburn to life as she attends a crime fiction festival in northern England. When Jane's covert plan to promote her own books results in her finding the murdered body of her much-reviled agent, she and a group of newfound friends set out to investigate. Corbett's strong characterizations create likable characters, and she... Read More

Kaffe Keating and Heather Long give masterful performances of Everett's debut thriller about 10 strangers who have been kidnapped and brought to a mysterious house. Keating's and Long's nimble narration of strangers who range from an arrogant army captain to an ornery, lonely woman and a young, single mom with an infant daughter is full-bodied and keeps listeners invested.... Read More

In this reissue of THE PROGRAM, listeners are immersed in the tense world of Kirsten Lord, former district attorney. After witnessing her husband's murder on a busy New Orleans street, Kirsten must ensure her and her daughter's safety by entering the Witness Protection Program. The audiobook was originally released in 2001. This new edition features a dual narration: Richard... Read More

Narrator Kathleen McInerney returns to immerse listeners in the Amish community of Painters Mill and the world of Chief of Police Kate Burkholder. When two young Amish men are found brutally murdered, the case leads to unsettling revelations about the darker side of the community. As Burkholder investigates, she finds herself a target. As with previous installments, listeners... Read More

Detective Superintendent Richard Jury's fans may enjoy listening to Steve West reprise his role as narrator par excellence for the 26th installment in the series. West's consummate comedic timing and lively variation between a brisk cadence and aristocratic speech enliven a rather jumbled offering from author Grimes, now in her 90s. Jury and his assistant, Wiggins, investigate... Read More

The audiobook takes the concept of remote viewing, the ability to mentally "see" great distances, to its ultimate end--exploitation for evil. Ari Fliakos makes this sometimes complicated audiobook flow with a sophisticated skill that makes the characters relatable, even the villains. Q is the most powerful viewer among an untold number of people who are trained by a ruthless... Read More

Golden Voice George Guidall masterfully draws listeners into Sheriff Walt Longmire's search for a missing woman in the dramatic landscape of Wyoming's Red Desert. Guidall's ability to modulate his voice to seamlessly differentiate male and female characters enhances the twists and turns of the story. Craig Johnson's vivid descriptions are matched by Guidall's pitch-perfect... Read More

Kelli Tager narrates the first in the Jane Ladling mystery series. When a fresh dead body shows up in a hundred-year-old grave, Jane, the cemetery's proprietor, is surprised. A possible suspect for the murder, Jane takes it upon herself to solve the crime, all the while crushing on the handsome special agent who is working the case. Tager, who also narrates the subsequent... Read More

Kate Forbes narrates this chatty down-home tale in a raspy voice that reflects the ages, backgrounds, and personalities of the characters--whether they're feline, canine, human, or even an intrepid mouse with a squeaky voice. For decades, fans of Rita Mae Brown's cozy mysteries have followed "Harry" Haristeen and her buddies, both human and animal. Together, the characters... Read More

Henrietta Meire's upbeat delivery is strangely suited to this moody Victorian mystery. Dr. Julia Lewis is a crusader for women's rights at a time when women weren't accepted in traditionally male professions. Mary Allingham, a "lady painter," tells Julia that law enforcement has dismissed as unimportant the recent break-ins at her art studio, which she shares with other women.... Read More

Narrator Jaime Lamchick returns to deliver the sequel to KILLING ME, accompanied by Khaya Fraites. After stopping a serial killer, coming into money, and finding a new girlfriend, Amber returns to Las Vegas for a dear friend's wedding. Sadly, her strange ability to attract con men and serial killers means Amber is yet again in for a wild ride. Lamchick captures Amber's frequent... Read More

Hotel heiress Evelyn Murphy fancies herself a more sophisticated, urbane, and glamorous version of Agatha Christie's Miss Marple. As listeners know if they're familiar with Evelyn's two earlier adventures, she resides in her father's ritzy Manhattan hotel in the late 50s, where she's surrounded by employees who satisfy her every whim. Narrator Amara Jasper expertly conveys... Read More

In this gripping audiobook, Colter Shaw--tracker and survivalist--is hired to locate a missing family trapped after a levee collapses during a catastrophic storm. As he searches, Shaw uncovers a sinister plot that suggests the disaster may not have been entirely natural. Narrator Kaleo Griffith delivers a masterful performance, giving each character a distinct and memorable... Read More

This gripping production of McFadden's thriller will keep listeners glued to their earbuds. Performances by Will Damron and Christine Lakin are simply spellbinding. Damron assumes the viewpoint of Blake Porter, who is unceremoniously fired after two days in a new job. Damron nails Blake's emotional downward spiral. Blake's love for his fiancée, Krista, keeps him balanced, so... Read More

Mystery audiophiles are in for a treat with this Audible Original, produced in partnership with International Thriller Writers. The collection features short stories by top mystery and thriller authors, including Lee Child, B.A. Paris, Robert Dugoni, and Oyinkan Braithwaite. Each story focuses--some loosely, some directly--on a monthly book club hosted by self-help author... Read More

Narrator Maria Marquis demonstrates her impressive range of accents and emotional nuance in this complex mystery taking listeners from Philadelphia to Tuscany. Julia Pritzker suffers devastating losses; as a child she loses her adoptive mother, and as the story opens, listeners encounter her witnessing the brutal murder of her husband. The plot pivots internationally when... Read More

Golden Voice Rupert Degas returns to transport listeners to New Zealand and Indonesia in the fourth Yoga Mat mystery. Fans will recognize returning characters, while listeners new to the series will find enough backstory to follow along. Australian secret agent Ric Peters wrestles with the dangers of his job and his need to protect his fiancée, Elaina, a lawyer and yoga... Read More

Luke Arnold delivers a gritty, charismatic narration of this fourth installment of the Fetch Phillips series. Now retired, Fetch has traded private investigation for running a friend's café in the magical ruins of Sunder City. When Detective Simms, voiced with a memorable reptilian lisp, seeks his assistance in investigating a fellow officer's murder, Fetch declines. However,... Read More

For the second installment in the Philomena McCarthy series, Katy Sobey once again delivers a strong narration, She assumes the voices and accents of characters ranging from an English girl to Eastern-European gangsters, along with posh and not-so-posh Londoners. "Phil" is an officer with the Metropolitan Police whose father is a crime boss. While on patrol she encounters a... Read More

Imogen Church demonstrates her talent for superb characterization and spot-on timing as she delivers this twisty mystery. Reporter Lo Blacklock has left the UK and is now living in New York with her husband and two young sons. When she travels to Switzerland to attend the opening of a luxury hotel, her trip turns out to be the beginning of sinister events that build on... Read More

Greg Hernandez's talents as a narrator shine in this twisty time-travel thriller. When journalist Ray Burton discovers a collection of items in a trunk that include a note dated 1870, he's thrust into an adventure that spans multiple time periods and countries. Along the way, he encounters other time travelers from vastly different backgrounds. Tension builds as the U.S.... Read More