"Delicious autumn! My very soul is wedded to it, and if I were a bird I would fly about the earth seeking the successive autumns.”—George Eliot
The atmospheric shift from summer’s bright skies and heat into Fall’s golden light and crisp coolness is the perfect time to delve into an audiobook that is cozy, reflective, or immersive. Here’s a selection of audiobooks to keep you company, whether you are snug under a blanket, puttering about your home, or walking under the autumnal hues of trees. You can fall for these cozy listens, letting the narrators spark your imagination and keep you inspired and connected all season long. Enjoy!
THE QUEEN OF POISONS
by Robert Thorogood, read by Nicolette McKenzie
Recorded Books
Let Nicolette McKenzie whisk you off to the English village of Marlow with her excellent vocal craft and portrayal of amateur sleuths Judith, Suzie, and Becks. The intrepid crime solvers are on the case when Marlow’s mayor drops dead in the middle of a town council meeting, and aconite, known as the queen of poisons, is found in his coffee cup. McKenzie distinguishes each character with her gifted use of intonation, tone, and cadence, adding fun to this third installment of this entertaining series.
BRIGHT OBJECTS
by Ruby Todd, read by Casey Withoos
Simon & Schuster Audio
Let Casey Withoos take you to the other side of the world with her enthralling narration of this story, which is part literary mystery and part astronomy lesson, set in Australia in 1997. Sylvia Knight continues to recover from an accident that killed her husband two years ago. Then Sylvia meets the discoverer of the rare comet that will soon be visible to the naked eye, and a quirky mystic who believes the comet brings a celestial message. Withoos’s dramatic narration, with her distinctive character voices, captures the complexity of grief and navigating life after loss.
THE OYSTER DIVER'S SECRET
by Caroline Säfstrand, A.A. Prime [Trans.], read by Ann Richardson
Brilliance Audio
AudioFile Earphones Award
If you are looking for a listen that brings you closer to the water this fall, try this title that transports listeners to the Swedish coast. Narrator Ann Richardson’s deliberate pace is perfect for this beautifully crafted, slow-paced story about female bonding, personal growth, and the transformative power of friendship. The viewpoints shift between reclusive Inez, a seventy-year-old writer who wants to write her last book about her friend—an oyster diver who disappeared years ago—and Meja, her cleaner. Each character is unique and memorable, with Richardson providing the Swedish characters with accents that are suggestive, but not overwhelming.
THE HAZELBOURNE LADIES MOTORCYCLE AND FLYING CLUB
by Helen Simonson, read by Fiona Hardingham
Random House Audio
Fiona Hardingham’s delicate tones and character portrayals shine in this splendid story about high society, set in England’s 1919 postwar era. Orphaned Constance Haverhill wonders where she will live when her current position as Mrs. Fog's companion ends. But Poppy Wirrell—the owner of a women-run taxi and delivery service—and her posse welcome Constance into their circle. Hardingham's tone of humility and empathy provides balance to Poppy’s impulsiveness and her efforts to change society’s shifting gender expectations as the men try to restore roles to what they were pre-war.
AN ASSASSINATION ON THE AGENDA
by T E Kinsey, read by Elizabeth Knowelden
Brilliance Audio
Longtime series narrator Elizabeth Knowelden's velvety voice immerses readers into this 11th Lady Hardcastle mystery, set in 1912 England. Lady Hardcastle, a genteel widow with a less-than-genteel past, and Florence Armstrong, her companion and confidante, who is also a martial arts expert, are occasional government agents who are dispatched to Bristol to solve a murder. Knowelden’s character portrayals are entertaining, and she flits fluidly from one to the other in banter that sparkles with wit and humor. Delightful and engaging, Knowelden’s performance may tempt you to embark on more adventures with this daring duo.
THE ART AND SCIENCE OF CONNECTION
by Kasley Killam, read by Cindy Kay
Harper Audio
Here’s some fascinating information to consider if you delight in solitary time with your audiobook. Cindy Kay's neighborly narration is pitch perfect for this book about how to adjust our social connections to improve our satisfaction with life. The data here shows that people live longer and are significantly happier and healthier when they have a rich and varied array of people in their lives. Kay's clear and persuasive performance invites listeners to think more seriously about their social health and make their engagements with others and with life more fulfilling.
AMPHIBIOUS SOUL
by Craig Foster, read by the author
Harper Audio
AudioFile Earphones Award
During this time of seasonal change, of harvest and abundance as well as preparing for winter, perhaps this lyrical meditation on our human connection with the wild might resonate with you. South African filmmaker and naturalist Craig Foster, co-creator and narrator of the documentary My Octopus teacher, gives a performance that reveals his passion for the environment of his native country. Foster advocates for the importance of rediscovering our individual connection with the wild and includes many personal adventures: tracking game for days with African hunter-gatherers; year-round ocean swimming in icy water; and close, peaceful interactions with wild creatures. It's a lovely reminder to reconnect with nature.
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