New Reviews by Title: E-J

A progressive podcaster and well-known YouTube host, Pakman narrates in a clear tone, crisp voice, and engaging style. His delivery is professional and persuasive. And he has a lot to share about politics, media, and education. He lambastes the GOP for abandoning policies and principles and settling for cultural tropes and a cult of personality. He argues that the left needs to... Read More

What a treat it is to listen to Alix Dunmore's splendid narration of this novel about the first class of women to matriculate at Oxford University in 1920. The story revolves around four young women who all reside on Corridor 8. Dunmore portrays aristocratic Ottoline, the ringleader of the group, with a posh London accent and an imposing intonation. Beatrice, the daughter of a... Read More

Timothy Andrés Pabon and E.J. Lavery narrate this tender exploration of grief. Two years after his older sister disappeared while surfing, Kai Sosa still struggles to find a sense of normalcy. He earns a place on the elite swim team his sister had once dominated but worries that he will let the team down the way he fears he let Cali down. Pabon voices Kai with increasing... Read More

It's up to listeners to decide if they need a deep dive into the early childhood of Elphaba, the Wicked Witch of the West, who is the protagonist of the international phenomenon WICKED: THE MUSICAL. For those who do, Edoardo Ballerini's storytelling is grand and decisive as he wades through this dark addition to the canon. Elphaba is born to a father who is a pious missionary... Read More

Narrator Gail Shalan gives a spirited performance of this ghoulish mystery. Elvira, a half-siren who lives in a trailer park for monsters, is very skeptical of the human world outside it. When they learn that a human detective is on the case of the missing Marfa Monster Festival crown, Elvira and her friends decide to investigate on their own. But more monster residents... Read More

Thanks to James Aaron Oh, listeners don't need to have grown up in New England to fall in step with the East Gladness transients in this audiobook. Oh introduces listeners to the region through the poetic perspective of Hai, a troubled Vietnamese son whose failure to realize the American dream haunts him so much that he's preparing to jump off a bridge. Above the churning... Read More

Karen Hao narrates her blockbuster audiobook about OpenAI with the immediacy of a boots-on-the-ground journalist reporting on an ongoing global crisis. Hao spent seven years researching the company and its charismatic founder, Sam Altman, and she's concerned about the lack of moral oversight, the expense, the exploitative labor practices, and Altman's tendency to tell his... Read More

This feel-good audiobook is the sequel to THE SPELLSHOP. Narrator Caitlin Davies delivers a warm, emotionally rich performance, capturing Terlu's vulnerability and Yarrow's gruff charm with heart and nuance. Davies's character voices, especially that of the lively sentient rose, Lotti, bring the magical world to life. After being turned into a statue for practicing illegal... Read More

Marissa Davis's poems are on the difficult side. Her reading of them is clear, but her idiosyncratic syntax often makes the work hard to follow. The lack of variation in her delivery doesn't make listening any easier. The poems are good, if somewhat limited in range of subject matter, but they're just too complex for even a careful listener to parse in any detail at first.... Read More

Peter Noble does a beautiful job narrating Martin Walker's latest Chief Bruno mystery. His French accent (essential for the Perigord setting) is graceful and trustworthy, and he differentiates personalities convincingly. By this time there are quite a few repeating characters in this series, with as much texture provided by friendships, foodstuffs and how to cook them, and St.... 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

Ashraf Shirazi's narration brings quiet strength and emotional resonance to the author's contemplations of imprisonment in Iran--her own and that of other feminist figures, including Nazanin Zaghari-Ratcliffe and Narges Mohammadi. This unique audiobook focuses on a group of women who bake sweets as expressions of solidarity with those who are imprisoned. Shirazi's delivery... Read More

At the age of 38, Jonathan Gluck fell and injured his hip, and it didn't heal. In his audiobook, Gluck narrates his own story of coming to find out he had multiple myeloma, which upended his young family's life. He and his wife, both magazine journalists, were living an idyllic life in New York City with their 7-month-old daughter when Gluck was given between 18 months and 3... Read More

Joey Florez juggles the many facets of this audiobook. Depicting seventh grader Alex Ramirez, a neurodivergent student, Florez honors both the character and the verse format of the story. He gives his narration a definitive rhythm. Periodically, Ramirez uses fluid Spanish that reflects Alex's heritage and adds another rhythm to the narration. Alex has been in an SC... Read More

Jacques Roy offers a low-key narration of Kelley's novel about the tedious yet illuminating job of a fact-checker for a popular magazine. Roy delivers some priceless fact-checking phone conversations with celebrities such as Tony Curtis and Sidney Poitier, as well as a fact- checker's delicate handling of the widow of a dead CIA officer who has purportedly been unfaithful. The... Read More

Like many sci-fi authors, Bradbury predicted many of today's less admirable achievements, such as earbuds and huge TVs. So not surprisingly, this 1953 title is timeless. Penn Badgley, pleasant-voiced and convincing, is an outstanding narrator. His tone resonates with personality, and his subtle character shifts are effective, especially as he portrays this novel's antihero, a... Read More

Bahni Turpin portrays a cast of colorful characters in this story about family, loss, and a decades-old betrayal. When Dawn returns home to inter her husband's ashes, she encounters a journalistic nemesis who, decades before, stole her story and won a Pulitzer for it. Joe, who is in town to make a movie about the story, claims that Dawn is delusional and a liar. When... Read More

Susan Dominus narrates her fascinating audiobook about the complexities of sibling dynamics with straightforward authority. Listeners who find themselves pondering assertions on the characteristics of "the middle child" or the leadership acumen of "the oldest daughter" should find this listening experience engaging. Dominus guides listeners through extensive research on... Read More

Zeno Robinson's lively narration anchors the third installment in Flake's series about Black teenagers who are navigating tricky relationships with each other, their parents, and the world at large. John-John thinks he knows what kind of son his father wants, and it's definitely not the kind he is. A little shy and nerdy, he'd rather practice archery than shoot hoops.... Read More

VyVy Nguyen and David Lee Huynh bring distinct voices to this complicated, humorous, intergenerational family story of siblings fighting over a sizable inheritance--and their eventual healing. With retirement soon upon him, sandwich mogul Duc Tran challenges his five children to reconcile before their brother gets married and inherits everything. Huynh narrates the first... Read More

Sarah Moon's middle-grade audiobook evokes the joys of summer vacation and the growing pains of adolescence. Avi Roque portrays the four children of three LGBTQ+ families who rent a house together every summer during Provincetown's Family Week. But this year, not all is well: Avery's dads are getting divorced, Mac flunked seventh grade, and twins Lina and Milo are struggling... Read More

Narrated by an ensemble, Poeppel's novel is delightful. Berliners Greta and her husband need a place to live in Dallas when he takes a one-year position there without discussing it with her. Lucy needs to flee Dallas quickly after her teenage son makes a mistake that puts his future in jeopardy. Connected by a mutual contact, Lucy and her children head to Berlin to stay in... Read More

Escape with narrator Samara MacLaren on a mystical journey filled with magic and dragons in this Celtic-inspired fantasy-romance. Aemyra, a powerfully blessed blacksmith, has been forced to live in hiding while awaiting the current king's death--upon which she can bond with his dragon and take her rightful place on the throne. However, her biggest enemy, Prince Fiorean, an... 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

Michelle Weisborn vividly portrays Evie Steinberg. Weisborn's youthful tone reflects Evie's delight when she moves to Southern California and discovers that Dara, her BFF from summer camp, goes to her new school. Weisborn also captures the anxious yet determined feelings of the seventh grader who demands perfection from herself after messing up her father's cryptozoology work.... Read More

Author Zelana Montminy narrates in a serene and reassuring voice as she coaches listeners on how to enhance focus, handle distractions, and increase clarity in their day-to-day lives. Sounding friendly and understanding, Montminy combines scientific research and easy strategies for overcoming absentmindedness and staying in the present. Breathing techniques, time management,... Read More

Andrea Currie narrates her memoir with the perfect balance of clarity and courage. Her voice may be gentle, but that doesn't conceal or betray the power of her lived experience. Currie is one of the many thousands of Indigenous children who were taken from their families during Canada's "Sixties Scoop," a government adoption policy that forced such children to be raised in... 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

Narrator Sarah Slimani's stellar characterizations enliven the third installment of the Folded Sky series. Dr. Sunya Song embarks on a deep-space mission to study data from the Baomind, an ancient artificially intelligent construct. It's the opportunity of a lifetime, complete with a scheming ex-girlfriend who is a competing researcher, a surprise visit from her alien wife and... Read More

Thanks to Amy Scanlon's virtuosic narration, paleoanthropologist Mary Leakey's personal and professional lives become historical fiction at its finest. Her story ranges from the 1930s, when she was in her 20s, to the 1970s, when she was a cigar-smoking scientist in her 70s. Listeners hear Mary fall in love with Louis as she illustrates his books on human evolution. The story... Read More

Audio fans' mouths will water as they listen to the excellent narration of Mia Hutchinson-Shaw. In this novel Isabella Pasternak, a semi-washed-out food writer, reluctantly accepts a new gig to ghostwrite a cookbook for former big-time, always hungover soap star Molly Babcock. The kitchen gets messy, and the relationship equally so. Nothing Isabella tries is good enough.... Read More

Joy Harjo, the first Native American poet laureate in the U.S. and only the second to be named to three terms, provides a soothing rendition of her new work. Generations of a family welcome a baby girl, providing her with advice, asking her questions, and telling her about her relatives and the world around her. As the verse is spoken directly to the girl, Harjo adds soothing... Read More

With wonder and reverence, Aven Shore narrates this exuberant audiobook about the abundance of queerness in nature. As a child, Patricia Ononiwu Kaishian found a sense of belonging in the woods and swamps of her Hudson Valley home and saw her queerness reflected in the lives of snakes, turtles, fungi, and other creatures. In this poignant memoir of queer and scientific... Read More

Renika Williams-Blutcher's uncanny ability to project a wide range of emotions and attitudes brings this combination of historical fiction and fantasy to life. Rowan isn't happy to spend the summer with her Aunt Monica in New York City even though she's enjoyed these vacations in the past. This year she wants to stay home and grieve the death of her father. Williams-Blutcher... Read More

With his seasoned delivery, Richard Poe brings a theatrical maturity to this story of a man who is looking for a huge second chance. Charlie and Vivian once met, fell in love, and married--but it didn't last. They were just too young and struggled with his alcoholism and their mutual immaturity. Forty years later, Charlie reappears, hoping to make amends and rekindle the flame... Read More

The year 1963 marked a pivotal turning point in U.S. history, and this audiobook captures its drama and significance in vivid detail. Author and narrator Peniel E. Joseph guides listeners through the era's defining moments and people, including Martin Luther King, Jr., James Baldwin, and Malcolm X; the March on Washington and the assassinations of Medgar Evers and John F.... Read More

Kristy Cambron's skill as a historical novelist (THE PARIS DRESSMAKER, THE BUTTERFLY AND THE VIOLIN) shines in this complex story of war, recovery, food, romance, and espionage, expertly narrated by Saskia Maarleveld. When Manon Altier signs up for classes at L'Ecole des Trois Gourmandes, she meets Julia Child and begins to confront her own confusing past. Maarleveld switches... Read More

This English translation of a French novella imagines the lives of strangers in an apartment building as described by their neighbor Nathalia in letters to her therapist. Narrator Alex Wyndham embodies the series of characters who tell their stories--or are they all Nathalia revealing herself to her therapist and the listener through first-person fiction? Some of Wyndham's... Read More

Caroline Hewitt's superb narration takes listeners on a powerfully emotional journey in this dual-timeline audiobook. In 1942, as German officers arrive at their French countryside home, 7-year-old Martine is hidden in a cabinet by her Jewish father with a valuable bottle of wine. Alone on the streets, Martine is brought to an abbey by Sister Ada, who is hiding her own secret.... 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

This biography of one of America's best distance runners, Steve Prefontaine, captures his spirit, accomplishments, and maverick personality wonderfully. Narrator Roger Wayne sets the pace, so to speak, in a comfortable style. He creates a commanding, almost upper-crust, voice for pioneering coach Bill Bowerman; his accents and cadence seem to fit the legendary running coach's... Read More

Julie Maisey brings verve and well-chosen characterizations to her performance of Griffiths's latest mystery. A departure from Griffiths's successful series featuring archaeologist Ruth Galloway, this new audiobook introduces Ali Dawson and a group of current-day investigators who travel in time. History-oriented instead of science- focused, the story is well researched and... Read More

Listeners will be rooting for soccer (football) star Gabi Piña all the way in this winning new adult romance. A college freshman in Corpus Christi, Texas, Gabi has staked out his future: playing for a pro team in Mexico or the U.S. But then, thanks to his philosophy classmate and tutor, Vale, Gabi has a bisexual awakening, and he's not sure how these two parts of himself will... Read More

Listeners meet the very French Gabriële Buffet. An accomplished conductor and composer who was educated at the most elite French conservatory, she was way ahead of her time. But she also set her personal talent aside to be a muse for her husband, a Spanish artist. Barrie Kealoha portrays Gabriële as the brilliant artist and intellectual she was during the Belle poque, when... Read More

Dan Bittner has fun with this space opera. Levi is a con man through and through--narcissistic, privileged, and incredibly lucky he's still alive. He's borrowed money from unsavory characters, but he has a plan that will allow him to pay the debt and get back his collateral (his spaceship). But he needs help. Thus, Vera and her programming skills fall into Levi's orbit, and her... 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

Edoardo Ballerini's excellent storytelling turns this biography into a fascinating listen. Born in New Jersey to working-class parents, James Gandolfini focused on acting after moving to New York City. Before becoming Tony Soprano, he was a hardworking stage actor, who earned the respect and friendship of actors, directors, and critics. Ballerini details a bighearted, generous,... Read More

Narrator Cassandra Morris deftly portrays Evey, an anxious preteen who is living in an alternative Savannah, Georgia, where ghosts stalk the streets, perceived only by children. Reeling from having been abruptly dumped by her former best friend, Evey joins the Ghost Scouts, an organization dedicated to keeping the unquiet dead under control. As she struggles to connect with her... Read More

PR executive Gwendolyn has a lucrative career, but when disturbing supernatural episodes derail her work events, she reconnects with her estranged cousin, Fonsi, a queer Panamanian American who owns a botanica and communes with the dead. Together, they must confront their pasts and harness their power to protect the living from the dead. Expressive narrations by Brittany... Read More

An unsolved small-town family murder will draw listeners deep into its tangled secrets. Olivia, a ghostwriter who is being professionally ostracized, returns home to collaborate with her estranged father, Vincent, on his true-crime memoir. Vincent's deteriorating health and Olivia's own traumatic childhood complicate the project as they piece together the fragmented events... Read More

Rachel F. Hirsch gives a stellar performance of this poignant coming-of-age novel. After high school, Hannah and her girlfriend, Sam, drive from Long Beach, New York, to San Francisco, dreaming of a queer life outside the confines of their small town. Working as strippers to make ends meet, they grow apart, and Hannah learns there's more to growing up than moving away. Hirsch's... Read More

Historical fiction is a fascinating way to learn about different time periods and significant events. This audiobook explores 1880s Portland, Oregon, a setting not often examined in historical novels. Cindy Kay gives a solid performance, maintaining a clear voice and a measured pace. Some accents are inconsistent, but the momentum of the story continues with few awkward... Read More

Narrators AhDream Smith, Erin Spencer, and Khaya Fraites draw listeners into the lives of three single teenage mothers--Simone, Emory, and Adela. Through alternating perspectives, the narrations capture each character's struggles and hopes as the women navigate pregnancy and motherhood while coming of age in Padua Beach, Florida. Smith conveys Simone's resilience and heartache... Read More

Mona Glass sees herself as her own woman--in sole control of her life. In 1970s New York City, Mona is involved with a married man. The two stage a fake wedding to appease Mona's traditional parents, and the narrative that follows recounts Mona's life story after that. Golden Voice Cassandra Campbell's voice is nimble and adept as she unfurls the various events and characters.... 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

Author/narrator William Dalrymple shares his fascination with the remarkable history of India's profound worldwide intellectual influence. His idiosyncratic and charming British speech and manner, along with his amiability and intelligence, are engaging throughout. His pacing and phrasing are natural, unaffected, and dictated by the material. He varies longish pauses--which... Read More

Kaipo Schwab's polished voice and nuanced character portrayals bring warmth to this meditative story about loneliness and reconnections, set during twilight in Tokyo. Schwarb's grounded narration gently recounts each character's story, infusing subtlety, humor, and whimsy as revealed through their interwoven lives. Schwab masterfully conveys the quiet joy and wonder of the... Read More

Elena Rey builds sympathy for two characters with an unlikely alliance in this fantasy. She captures the feelings of Graciela Lima, a 12-year-old who is swept into the sea and awakens as a sea spirit a hundred years later. Rey's narration builds the details of this complex undersea realm--complete with creatures of all kinds and purposes. Rey also portrays the blacksmith's son,... Read More

Coincidently, narrator Justice Smith evokes the sensibility and behavior of a man named Smith. He performs this debut novel thoughtfully and keeps the lid on some wild moments of debauchery in New York's demimonde of partying and self-indulgence. The plot concerns the tribulations of an entitled Stanford graduate--his father was a college president and his mother, a surgeon.... Read More

Kate Coventry sounds fully believable as she narrates this bewitching story featuring a talking goldfish, a plant, and a spider. Listeners meet feisty Jillian, whose parents ignore her while they concentrate on their antique shop; grumpy goldfish Toasty; braggart plant Ivy; and brave spider Arthur. Most enjoyable are the critters' amusing arguments as they try to outwit each... Read More

Narrator Piper Goodeve brings listeners to the town of Bramble, Kentucky, where Marlow Heddings has relocated after the death of her husband, whom she was in the process of divorcing. Looking for a fresh start, Marlow is renting a cabin from ex-Marine Cort Easton and contending with her former in-laws. Goodeve gives them strident tones as they insist on Marlow returning to the... 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

Gail Shalan and Rock Engle introduce a flawed, hilarious couple: Hannah, a librarian, and Jack, a hitman. After an airplane encounter, Jack pursues Hannah to her Colorado town for a steamy committed relationship. Engle portrays Jack in a breezy, slightly nasal voice. Engle's jocular persona works because Jack doesn't take himself or his work too seriously. Shalan voices... 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

Narrator Beverley A. Crick transports listeners to England just after the Napoleonic Wars. Jonathan, Duke of Leighton, has returned home after having been held captive for years in France with his mentor, Morris. When Morris was on his deathbed, Jonathan promised he would look after Morris's daughter, Victoria, and see that she married. Crick gives crisp British accents to... Read More

Emma Galvin gives a sparkling performance of this contemporary audiobook about a Jewish family who move from Brooklyn to a college town in northern Maine. The four members of the family are soon caught up in a "he said/she said" situation revolving around the high school principal's shocking proposition of Hazel, a senior, on her first day of school, and a campus controversy... Read More

A cast of eight narrators, including the author himself, portray the 21 residents of a small town in Ireland who are featured in this exploration of a community in transition. Seven of the narrators have Irish brogues, and one has an English accent. The performances range from a very feminine sounding set of characterizations of younger women by Toni O'Rourke, a more... Read More

Narrator Mike Zuzel captures these stories about Olympic athletes-- some well known, others not--who went above and beyond in heroic or sacrificial gestures in their careers. Zuzel's deep voice is consistent and calming. He narrates clearly with restrained enthusiasm. The stories that emerge are interesting and include accounts of track athlete Peter Norman and his famed 1968... Read More

In Pablo Cartaya's latest audiobook, 13-year-old Gonzalo goes on a cross-country road trip with his estranged grandfather, an author, and listeners are lucky enough to ride along. Cartaya takes the recurring role of "Your Most Humble Narrator" to provide background and context about the reluctant Gonzalez. He's mourning the death of his father and resenting his mother for... Read More

Listeners will be entranced by the melodic and articulate voice of narrator Angel Pean as she recounts the miserable upbringing, rewarding career, and personal relationships of Lorena Hickok, who was known by many as "Hick." This audiobook reveals not only Hick's ambition for excellence in her writing and journalism career but also the love and admiration she shared with First... Read More

In this raw and poetic memoir, Sarah Aziza traces her own history of anorexia, trauma, and hospitalization alongside her family's history of occupation, violence, and displacement from Palestine. The beauty of Aziza's remarkable prose becomes apparent in her narration, which is quiet, vulnerable, and utterly compelling. There is a lot of Arabic scattered throughout; often Aziza... 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

Mia Hutchinson-Shaw's narration of the first book in this cozy mystery series is delightful. She brings a warm, engaging tone to the story of Prairie Nightingale, a divorced homemaker with two daughters. Her neighbors might call her a busybody, but Prairie's insatiable curiosity drives her to investigate when her neighbor, popular mom and entrepreneur Lisa Radcliffe, goes... Read More

Fred Sanders narrates clearly, does accents credibly, shares data faithfully, and tells stories with a fine tone and tempo. Weisman's science-driven audiobook ranges around the world to find individuals who are working on innovative projects aimed at saving species and habitats to mitigate climate change. Weisman profiles individuals who are making a difference. They include... Read More

Narrator Nicky Endres shows impressive vocal versatility in this queer sports romance. Professional indoor volleyball players Six and Green, both Asian American trans women, are dating. To avoid any flak, they've decided to play on rival men's teams. They have the world's attention as they prepare for their first in-person game since the pandemic, and when a crisis strikes the... Read More

Jeremy Bobb transports listeners to Russia during the early days of the invasion of Ukraine as Detective Arkady Renko investigates the brutal murder of a Russian minister of defense. Bobb's strong narration, which is marked by authentic-sounding pronunciation and excellent timing, provides the perfect backdrop for this contemporary thriller, which exudes a distinct atmosphere... Read More

This contemporary gothic novel is narrated by Helen Laser. After a breakup and an upsetting incident at work, Cassie retreats to her hometown, where she reconnects with her high school friend, Eli, whose wife, Beth, has just passed away. Eli is immediately drawn to Cassie, and they marry quickly. But Cassie, who struggles with OCD, isn't a good fit for the life Beth left... Read More

Journalist Amy Larocca narrates with quick pacing that works well with this fast-moving kaleidoscope of observations and insights about today's self-care craze. Her performance has a street-smart quality that's not inappropriate, given the aggressive marketing and snake-oil claims proffered by today's health and beauty marketers. The pervasiveness of ads, images, and expert... Read More

Satire isn't easy to write or to perform. Both the author and the narrator succeed notably in this funny, trenchant debut novel. William DeMeritt uses all his acting skills plus a strong narrative delivery to portray the wide cast of characters who live in this audiobook. He convincingly inhabits the hyperactive mind of Anders, a 15-year-old Tom Sawyer-like youth with a talent... Read More

Rooted in author Kate Williams's own quest to stop her relentless striving and self-condemnation, this affecting audiobook explores the many ways we can internalize negative judgments about ourselves when we fall short of society's imperatives and standards. Her struggles with ADD, depression, and anxiety are part of the story, but the broader narrative is about how... Read More

The title of this audiobook refers to a style of architecture, Hudson River Bracketed, that was popular during Edith Wharton's lifetime. This is one of Wharton's lesser-known novels. Kate Reading's performance is precise and methodical--therefore, well suited to Wharton's style. Vance Weston is a young man who is finding his footing in early-twentieth-century America.... Read More

Born in Australia, food critic Besha Rodell lived in the US for many years, but her voice still has the lilt and distinctive accent of an Aussie. She narrates at a good pace and with strong emotion. What sets her apart is that she has had to struggle to succeed in the posh world of fine dining criticism. Her backstory includes being raised by hippies--Australian academic dad... Read More

Sharone Halevy's mesmerizing narration envelopes listeners in the disorientating world of an Israeli woman who relocates to the U.S. for a project management position. Soon, this unnamed woman finds herself joining her enigmatic supervisor, David, and other co-workers on frequent hunting trips. As a former member of the Israeli military, she has experience with guns but hasn't... Read More

Alma Cuervo's polished narration is perfect for this unconventional, dreamlike tale blending folklore and fantasy, seamlessly translated from Spanish. Listeners are drawn into the final day of Bernadeta's life, which takes place in a remote farmhouse in the rugged Guilleries mountains of Catalonia in northeastern Spain. As she lies dying, the voices of her female ancestors,... Read More

Richard E. Grant showcases the compelling life of legendary restaurateur Keith McNally, who does not shy away from the complicated stories that make up his life and choices. Having started out in the film industry, McNally discovered true theater in building successful restaurants, including New York's Balthazar, where the right environment and staff made the perfect dining... Read More

Elisabeth Rodgers narrates with tasteful objectivity yet infuses this engrossing audiobook with all the emotion it deserves. Sounding more like a novel than a true-crime story, this account of the lives of four University of Idaho students before their horrific murders reveals a group of popular young people who enjoyed partying, were part of loving families, and were naïve... Read More

Jen Jayden takes listeners on a quest driven by two determined women who fall in love along the way. Aleya, a noble-born soldier, must travel to the famed city of Nivela to secure a legendary item that will win the hearts of her family and the people of the country she hopes to rule. Kirby heads toward Nivela to break an ancient curse that has left the townspeople of Wall's End... Read More

Set sail with Andi Arndt and Patrick Zeller as they delight listeners with this heartfelt enemies-to-lovers contemporary romance. When Josie, an elementary school nurse, shows up for her annual summer vacation with her brother, she finds herself stuck with her brother's best friend. Wyatt is a grumpy pro hockey player who is currently healing from an injury. When Josie learns... Read More

Mozhan Navabi offers a gentle narration of this retrospective look at the lives of four friends. Her soothing voice carries the necessary gravitas for this tenderhearted novel that explores the ways our chosen families sustain us. Fleeing soul-crushing poverty in France during WWII, Gazala and her brother, Samir, Algerian orphans, find their separate ways to New York City.... Read More

In this poignant, fragmented memoir, poet and novelist Hala Alyan reflects on her journey to motherhood through surrogacy. She narrates with an emotional intensity that matches the intimacy of the prose, her voice sometimes scratchy with grief, sometimes full of love. The memoir unfolds in a series of nonlinear moments and memories--of her marriage, her college years in Beirut,... 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

This talented cast enlivens Becker's engrossing historical novel, bringing 1965 pre-Roe v. Wade America to life, a time when women had little independence, voice, or financial power. Gilli Messer projects Lily's frustration as she yearns for more than a predictable suburban life, tries to understand changing values, and asks, "Is this all there is?" Messer also believably... Read More

In this queer dark academia fantasy, narrator Zara Ramm is so committed that it's hard to know where she ends and Chetwood Academy's Director of Magic, Dr. Walden, begins. Walden is a magician in her late 30s, a powerful demon wrangler, and an excellent teacher. She's equally responsible for managing teenage angst in the classroom and keeping the demons that infiltrate campus... Read More

Golden Voice Edoardo Ballerini narrates art restorer and spy Gabriel Allon's latest adventure, set largely in Italy and the Vatican. Ballerini's lyrical pronunciation of Italian proper names and places showcases the beauty of the Italian language. Listeners are swept into the intrigue surrounding the discovery and loss of a Leonardo da Vinci masterpiece, a situation that places... Read More

A mind-control expert examines the coercive and subtle ways people can be made to adopt distorted thinking that works against their own interests and free will. Describing examples like the brainwashing of Korean War prisoners and cults that distort personalities, Rebecca Lemov explains that these corruptions of self-interest and autonomy almost always follow a pattern of... Read More

Anyone who believes the American entrance into WWII was easy and inevitable will be shocked to hear that the path was difficult and paved with spies, lies, and coercion. Stephen Graybill performs this audiobook with the skill of a newscaster who's recounting revelation upon revelation about the spies on both sides of the war (and the Atlantic) who were using their skills to... Read More

This audiobook is a clever, slow-burning romantic fantasy featuring Osric, a confident assassin, and Aurienne, a quick-witted healer from a rival Order. When they're forced to collaborate to halt a deadly pox outbreak and treat Osric's mysterious illness, their initial mutual dislike gradually transforms into undeniable chemistry. Heather Long and Thomas Judd vividly bring this... Read More

British nature writer Macfarlane travels to Ecuador, India, and Quebec, Canada, to affirmatively answer the question that the title poses. He explores, explains, and experiences the dark fate of some urban rivers, as well as the grandeur of unspoiled waterways. The Cambridge Fellow's British accent gives the text a kind of authority. He narrates in a poetic enrapt style,... Read More

Amusing, quirky characters and talking animals and plants are narrated well by author Oliver Darkshire in this debut novel. His fast-paced cadence and strong British accent provide an entertaining listening experience. When Isabella decides to try some magic from a stolen spell book, mayhem ensues. Darkshire handles voices well, using pitch and pace variations. His inventive... Read More

Narrator Barbara Rosenblat returns listeners to planet Harmony, whose inhabitants are descendants of colonists from Earth. Its population has developed various psychic talents. At a reception for collectors, para-archaeologist Leona Griffin encounters museum curator Oliver Rancourt. Working together, they investigate a long dead cult leader. Rosenblat captures Leona's... Read More

Yoinks! Prepare to get "meta" with this hilarious mash-up of comics, prose, poetry, and real-life author rivalry. In a thinly disguised reference to themselves, award-winning authors/narrators Jerry Craft and Kwame Alexander portray fifth-grade rivals who plan to compete in their school's annual story contest. K is a writer; J is a comic book artist. You can probably guess the... Read More

Ralph Lister narrates this first installment in The Scriver Archives. Jack, the sole survivor of the Scriver Trials, is on a mission to document the monsters who are plaguing every continent on earth and discover how to kill them. Jack has been recruited to kill the High Stryga, in particular, before she uses stolen magic to enslave all humans. But he can't do it alone, so he... Read More

Narrators Andi Arndt and Sean Masters join forces to depict the romance that sparks between waitress Stevie Palmer and millionaire realtor Caleb Kane. Caleb asks Stevie to pretend to be his girlfriend to help him in a custody battle with his ex-wife. Masters narrates from Caleb's point of view while Arndt handles Stevie's. Both give youthful exuberance to Caleb's 10-year-old... 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