New Reviews: Mystery & Suspense

Jonathan Todd Ross's zany delivery is perfect for neurotic, wealthy, sometimes-actor Paul, who lives in a luxurious Brooklyn high-rise. Listeners meet Paul on the rooftop deck as he hears about a neighbor's mysterious death from his young friend, feistily rendered Alina, a greeter for the apartment. Evocative descriptions of the secretive, entitled residents and their... Read More

Narrator Timothy Andrés Pabon delivers staccato dialogue about complex computer hacking without a slip of the tongue. First Lady Elizabeth Caen overhears the president planning the assassination of a sitting Supreme Court justice but has no proof. She enlists the help of her secret lover, Owen, who is a respected Silicon Valley computer whiz and secret hacker. Then the pair are... Read More

Frankie Corzo creates a believable character in filmmaker and comic- book artist Annie Bustamante. Initially, Annie is excited to be offered the opportunity to bring her favorite superhero, the Lethal Lynx, back to life as part of an ambitious project. But she soon realizes that things aren't what they seem and must piece together clues from the past and present to uncover some... Read More

In this contemporary detective story, lesbian PI Jo Bailen is working on a missing persons case that turns into a murder. The twist is that the victim is her estranged best friend, Rose. Narrator Stacy Gonzalez deftly handles the accents and linguistic quirks of a wide assortment of characters whom Bailen reluctantly interacts with as she untangles Rose's messy life. Gonzalez... Read More

Dion Graham continues his stellar work with Mosley's Joe King Oliver series, bringing heart and rough edges in equal measure. Here, the private investigator's Grandma B has a dying wish: Locate her long-missing son. Oliver's complicated relationship with his father is heightened as the search brings new insights into the man. Meanwhile, Oliver struggles with his own ethics as... Read More

This anthology presents widely varied mystery and suspense tales. They are quite well read and will hold the attention of mystery lovers and other listeners. Several narrators stand out among the many talented performers: Jane Oppenheimer's intimate and expressive narration of Abby Geni's "The Body Farm," a story of justifiable homicide, and her striking presentation of Lisa... Read More

Ffion Aynsley and Iestyn Arwel portray the characters in this story of murder and deception in 1881 Oxford. Aynsley morphs into determined and clever Non Vaughan, a Welsh polymath recently admitted to Jesus College at Oxford. Aynsley's vocal performance features a melodic Welsh lilt that ebbs and flows with Non's emotions. Arwel breathes life into Basil Rice, a Jesus College... Read More

Narrator Gemma Whelan masterfully brings to life this dark, atmospheric mystery. Her performance captures Hawkins's beautifully written descriptions of settings, artworks, and characters. The isolated Scottish island of Eris, accessible only when the tide recedes, emerges as a compelling character alongside its recently deceased inhabitant, the reclusive artist Vanessa Chapman.... Read More

As many listeners have observed, murderers, like readers, are drawn to bookstore settings. In this cozy mystery set in the small town of Enigma, Georgia, listeners learn about a vicious murder in the bookstore recently inherited by an actress named Madeline, niece of the former owner. Narrator Hallie Bee Bard does an outstanding job of portraying the accent, tone, and tempo of... Read More

Listeners are treated to six very original short stories masterfully performed by an ensemble of talented narrators. Each story follows a woman who, while investigating a supposed crime, finds herself in a precarious and/or humorous situation. The narrators are perfectly matched to their characters and settings. From Elle Cosimano's real estate lesson on staging a house while... Read More

Narrator Santino Fontana perfectly affects various accents as cynical millennial CIA officer Ari Falk works undercover to help Russian opposition journalists develop stories that damage the Kremlin. As Falk tumbles into an international spy plot involving the disappearance of his best asset, a Russian American billionaire, he is joined by the bold and problematic Maya Chou.... Read More

Narrator Chris Henry Coffey affects a gravelly rumble as Peyton, a deadbeat dad, is presented with an unimaginable opportunity that will make all his legal and financial problems go away. All he has to do is kill a guy. As Hamdy explores Peyton's unease at the prospect of becoming an assassin, Coffey's dour tone and precise pacing give Peyton's deadly mission emotional weight.... Read More

Sam Woolf creates a foreboding atmosphere in this disturbing mystery with strong Christie vibes, set in 1952, 1983, and 2012 Iceland. Listeners enter a tuberculosis sanatorium repurposed from the 1940-50s and meet likable Helgi, who is reopening an investigation into earlier unsolved murders. His well-rendered questions to the caretaker, nurses, and doctors unearth old lies,... Read More

Samantha Bond is winning as Queen Elizabeth II in the fourth mystery in this delightful series. The Queen is in Paris on State business, when several mishaps occur that could be sabotage. Additionally, Philip is accused of a double murder in Chelsea but claims he's innocent and that she is his alibi. But is it the truth? The Queen contacts Joan McGraw, a brilliant palace... Read More

Competitive surfing intersects with organized crime in this audiobook, narrated effectively by Major Curda and Stephanie Németh-Parker. Surfer Jen Stonebreaker and her twin sons, Casey and Brock, have struggled to cope since the tragic death of Jen's husband, John, 25 years earlier during a perilous competition. Curda and Nemeth-Parker's contrasting delivery styles work well... Read More

L.J. Ganser's usual enthusiastic narration shapes the cadre of characters in this noir-ish story. The plot is a bit loose, but the characters are entertaining, especially as enhanced by Ganser. A woman commits a crime and then heads west to California to be with her grandfather, who runs a photo studio. The backdrop is the burgeoning movie industry--specifically, porn--which... Read More

JD Jackson captures this well-researched novel, which is based on several real cases of wrongful imprisonment. Jackson shines in shaping the characters' emotions as Liza, an attorney, tries to help exonerate two imprisoned men through an Innocence Project program. She remains calm but frustrated at the resistance she encounters. As Eli, her friend, is quietly tormented by his... Read More

Soneela Nankani expressively performs this heartfelt and humorous family drama, making it a compulsive listen. Remi, the youngest in her family, is anxious and conservative compared to her hippie parents and accomplished two sisters. When a dead body turns up at their campsite during a family reunion, the three sisters unite to protect each other. They may not know exactly what... Read More

Golden Voice Narrator John Lee takes on this mystery set in 1950s rural Ireland. Loner Wymes happens upon an abandoned car with its motor running and doors wide open in the Ruddocks' field. He's approached by a frantic Armitage, who's searching for his missing wife. Enter DI Strafford, who takes over the twisty investigation, which revolves around secrets. Lee utilizes a... Read More

This collection of Hanukkah noir, edited by Tod Goldberg, offers 11 gritty crime-filled stories better suited for listeners who are noir enthusiasts than those seeking lighthearted holiday tales. Contributors include Ivy Pochoda, David L. Ulin, Lee Goldberg, Liska Jacobs, and Tod Goldberg. Each story is narrated by one of four masterful narrators who expertly flex their timbre,... Read More

Lee Osorio's skilled narration is perfectly matched to this genre-bending mystery. After the tragic death of his wife, private investigator Riv leaves his New York home and heads to Colombia, where he reconnects with family. There, he is drawn into finding a missing young woman who is feared to be in the clutches of the feared villain Exeter Mondragon. With his use of accents... Read More

An ensemble cast gives voice to Liv Constantine's audiobook original, which is part soap opera, part psychological thriller. Jennifer Jill Araya, as narrator, sets the scene with her gentle voice and unhurried pacing. Saskia Maarleveld portrays Julie, the scorned wife, with brisk, barely controlled anger focused on her cheating husband, Oliver, played with emotional intensity... Read More

Narrator Barton Welch returns with his perfect pacing and engaging Australian accent to deliver the third installment of the Ernest Cunningham mysteries. Fans will recognize the clever clue reveals, sarcastic humor, and moments when the narrator breaks the fourth wall to speak directly to the listener. Author Stevenson crafts a plot that nods to the Golden Age of mysteries... Read More

Lakota/Mohawk narrator Charley Flyte returns to draw listeners into the brutal earthly and sad spiritual worlds of forensic photographer Rita Todacheene. Flyte masterfully meets the challenge of voicing Todacheene, conveying her torturous special gift to see and hear the spirits of those who have died by violence. Shifting seamlessly between Todacheene's perspective and the... Read More

This audiobook is a wonderful example of the magic that occurs when a complex story is brought to life by the Golden Voice of Simon Vance. At its core, this is a mystery revolving around the sudden reappearance of Claire Lidman, who has been presumed dead for 14 years. Claire's husband, Samuel, hires Hans Rekke, a disgraced professor, and Detective Michaela Vargas to solve the... Read More

Golden Voice January LaVoy delivers an exceptional performance as Vida, who possesses a profound understanding of the mountains where she was raised. This knowledge is central to her existence. Her expertise becomes crucial when she suspects that the death of her beloved José Nochelobo was not an accident. LaVoy's precise and skillful portrayal of each character and moment adds... Read More

George Blagden offers a winning performance of travel writer Gabriel Dax, who finds himself a pawn in a game he never expected to find himself playing. Not long after Gabriel's interview with Congolese Prime Minister Patrice Lumumba, she is killed. A series of strange coincidences occurs, and suddenly Gabriel is reluctantly up to his neck in spy craft. MI6, the CIA, and... Read More

Narrator Patricia Santomasso captures Maggie's turmoil when she discovers a dead body with a boot tied to it buried in her hometown's community garden. The amateur sleuth has just moved back to Marlowe, Massachusetts. In this award-winning debut mystery, Maggie is at least one step ahead of the local police, who want her to stay out of their investigation, which of course she... Read More

While a dark mystery propels this narrative, the novella is really a character study of five insomniac night owls brought to life by five talented vocal artists. During their customary cemetery meetup, Edie, Hannah, Theo, Tuck, and Tamar find an unusual hole in the ground, which a gravedigger has filled with mutated rats. Curious--the group uses their specialties--Edie's... Read More

Bianca Amato's warm, beautifully enunciated narration adds to the enjoyment of spending time again with Mma Ramotswe and Mma Makutsi of Botswana in the 25th installment of the No. 1 Ladies' Detective Agency. The South African actor understands that the series' gentle humor and wisdom about human frailties are as important as the detective cases. In this instance, a succession... Read More

This cozy mystery set on the Canadian prairie will keep listeners guessing through its twists and turns. Dawn Harvey's narration perfectly matches the main character's idiosyncrasies and her well-meaning but abrasive personality. Recently widowed, Jeannie loves her farm, but she is being pressured to sell. Leading the charge is a persistent realtor named Monica, who represents... Read More

For those looking for a fun, at times even rollicking, cozy mystery full of delicious Filipino food and a bevy of delightful female characters, this installment of the Tita Rosie's Kitchen Mysteries series, narrated by Danice Cabanela, will fit the bill. Set in the fictional Midwest town of Shady Palms, the story features Lila Macapagal, owner of the Brew-Ha Café, who is... Read More

Amanda Troop narrates an intriguing nonlinear thriller about two estranged sisters who are searching for their mother, who abandoned them years earlier. Jane has settled into normalcy with a decent but dead-end job, a loving family, and an absent-minded father. Then she receives an email from her estranged twin sister, Lila, hinting that she knows the location of their mother.... Read More

Maggi-Meg Reed shines in this psychological thriller pitting an octogenarian against an 8-year-old boy. Listeners are in for dark humor, plot twists, and increasing suspense. Set during Covid at the Royal Karnak Hotel on the banks of the Nile, the story features 81-year-old Maggie Burkhardt, a meddler who gets involved in fixing people's lives--even when she shouldn't. After... Read More

This quirky whodunit is seamlessly narrated by three award-winning narrators--Michael Crouch, Gail Shalan, and Helen Lloyd. Crouch voices Alfred Smettle, capturing his oddball sensibilities. It's been almost 15 years since Alfred has seen his college friends, so when he invites them to the first anniversary of his Hitchcock-themed hotel's opening, they accept. Some suspect it's... Read More

A cast of talented narrators lend their voices to the 30th installment of the Alex Cross series. Supreme Court candidates are being murdered as the president-elect plans her inauguration. Cross and his colleagues must figure out who is behind the killings and why. As he draws closer to the answer, his wife and best friend disappear, leaving him with two major cases to solve.... Read More

Narrators Shahjehan Khan and Jennifer Blom excel as the stakes rise in this suspenseful thriller. When the body of his girlfriend, Ashley, is found at the bottom of a ravine near the home of her ex-lover, Bella, small-town reporter Roman Grady's investigation into her death sparks a flame that threatens everyone. When did Ashley reconnect with unstable Bella? What is everyone... Read More

Scott Brick is the voice of ex-military cop Jack Reacher in this 29th installment in the series. Here Reacher is suffering from memory loss following a car accident that killed the driver. He awakens strapped to a table by people who think he's the driver's accomplice. He then becomes embroiled with four thieves, each of whom is trying to outwit and double-cross the others.... Read More

Sebastian Humphreys delivers an enthusiastic performance of a delightful cast of characters in this mystery. Chef Paul Delamare steps in as a culinary teacher to help his injured friend, celebrity chef Christian Wagner, and finds himself in the middle of a kitchen disaster. Humphreys's warm, pleasant voice and English accent pair perfectly with Paul's empathetic personality.... Read More

Five narrators bring together multiple perspectives and two timelines to create a rich and cohesive listening experience in this one-of-a-kind thriller. Lindsey is 6 when her older sister, Jess, goes missing. Three other women are reported missing from Jess's college that year, but it's not until 24 years later when one of the bodies is found at a nearby lake that the cases are... Read More

Narrator Stephen Graybill captures a young man's complicated feelings about his family and the cruelty he witnesses at The Combine, the family's criminal enterprise. With the idea that blood is love as its overarching theme, this gritty story about identity, belonging, and family will pull listeners in. Luke Crosswhite is lost. He dropped out of school and struggles to find his... Read More

John Pirhalla portrays an everyday guy named Frank whose life is turned upside down when his estranged daughter gets in touch to announce her wedding to Aidan, the son of a tech billionaire. When Frank mysteriously receives a photo of Aidan with a missing girl, he decides to investigate to ensure the safety of his daughter. Pirhalla's excellent narration highlights Frank's... Read More

Bilingual actor Akira Matsumoto brings to life this stand-alone in Seishi Yokomizo's classic mystery series featuring legendary detective Kosuke Kindaichi. Matsumoto's immersive performance sets the stage as listeners find Kindaichi looking forward to peace and quiet in the remote mountain village of Onikobe, where his old friend, Inspector Isokara, has acquainted him with an... Read More

The last of Adler-Olsen's Department Q thrillers is long and complex, but narrator Steven Pacey does a splendid job of keeping up the pace--and the accents. Most are Danish, delivered with clipped Anglo diction, but he's equally comfortable with other accents. Carl Mørck, of Copenhagen PD's Cold Case Unit, has been framed in an old drug case and is in prison awaiting trial.... Read More

Tim Machin narrates this latest installment in the Arthur Beauchamp series. Canadian criminal attorney Beauchamp sets out to write a memoir that gives insight into a historical murder trial that he argued as a young lawyer in 1966. His goal is to refute the way that he was scandalously portrayed in a popular biography. Machin's narration carries listeners into Beauchamp's... Read More

Seven talented voice actors will delight listeners who dive into this creative collection of 19 loosely connected short stories and compact mysteries revolving around archaeology, ghosts, and other supernatural entities. Many stories feature author Elly Griffiths's beloved characters: archaeologist Ruth Galloway; DCI Harry Nelson; their daughter, Kate; and the ever-mysterious... Read More

Andy Carpenter's plans for a quiet holiday season are interrupted when a rescue dog he once placed with a local family shows up at his front door. Grover Gardner reprises his portrayal of the curmudgeonly lawyer as he returns the pooch to its family, only to discover that the dog's young owner has been arrested for murdering his college professor. Gardner voices Andy's... Read More

Charming characters populate this delightful series debut, wonderfully narrated by Philip Battley. City-dweller Addison Harper travels to the tiny New Zealand town of Milverton to deal with an inheritance from an uncle he barely remembers. He meets a snarky attorney whose irritating manner causes his blood to boil. When Addison finds the attorney murdered later that night,... Read More

Helen Lloyd provides an excellent portrayal of Berit Gardner, the author turned sleuth who is the heroine in this new Swedish mystery series. Berit is only one of a cast of eccentric characters in the rundown village of Great Diddling. After an explosion in the library of a manor house kills a local man, Berit ends up taking part in running a book-and-murder festival designed... Read More

Libby Cudmore and Jay Karnes take turns bringing vibrancy to lead characters Valerie and Martin in this tightly woven noir. Cudmore's delivery reinforces Valerie's practical personality as she leaves behind a shadowy past and starts anew as an assistant at Martin's PI firm in Upstate New York. Karnes gives ex-punk rocker Martin a dismissive tone that hides a vulnerable soul.... Read More

Catherine Ho narrates a thriller featuring a practical joke gone awry. Old friends May, Lauren, and Kelsey spend a holiday weekend together in the Hamptons, but after a drunken prank goes horribly wrong, their friendship is tested in unexpected ways. May is eager to see her friends in person for the first time in several years, and Ho capably balances her eagerness and anxiety.... Read More

Narrator Lorelei King once again works her magic in bringing to life Stephanie Plum and her crew of quirky characters. The previous audiobook in the series left fans hanging with Stephanie engaged to the two sexy men in her life. Of course, as Stephanie would say: "It's complicated." The plot relies on familiar situations that go from silly to outright ridiculous, but thanks to... Read More

Philip Battley narrates this witty mystery set in New Zealand in the zany manner it deserves. Listeners meet Addison Harper, an endearing, sometimes bumbling amateur sleuth who's just arrived in town to claim his inheritance of a house and a cat. The sculpture competition for the Terrific Town Award, which is marred by two deaths from a mysterious cocktail, is described with... Read More

Erin Moon and Blair Young narrate this quirky mystery about a naughty pony and his quest to reunite with his human and solve a decades-old mystery. New evidence leading to her arrest reveals that Penny might have murdered a horse farm owner at the age of 12. Pony, still bitter about Penny having suddenly sold him years ago, seeks her out to demand answers. Moon voices Penny,... Read More

It's been 38 years since we first met Rusty Sabich in PRESUMED INNOCENT. Narrator Grover Gardner, one of the best in the business, affects a smooth and evocative tone as he reminds us how Rusty was found innocent of murdering his mistress. Now he's entering the third act of his life with his engagement to the loving and insightful Bea. Gardner's tone and rhythm increase the... Read More

Award-winning Devon Sorvari uses all her considerable narration talents to bring to life this story about a small town with big secrets. Cora, an affable but rather bland heroine, finds wedding rings in a jar of baubles she buys at an estate sale and seeks to find their owners. This is a dual-timeline mystery, and listeners are pulled back to 1953, a story of forbidden love,... Read More

ML De Blasi heightens the drama and emotional resonance with her narration of this entrancing novel. Cathy is young and alone in the world when she becomes involved with middle-aged, kind Police Chief Frank. Once he tricks her into marriage, he becomes controlling and physically and mentally abusive. De Blasi makes Cathy's fear palpable and Frank's descent into abuse... Read More

This sequel to THE VERIFIERS more than lives up to the first audiobook in the series. Claudia Lin is juggling dysfunctional relationships with her mother and her siblings; an attraction to her co-worker Becks, as well as a crush on a woman she meets as part of a case; and investigating the death of a man who came to her company for help. Narrator Eunice Wong is so engaged with... Read More

Vikas Adam returns to narrate the third installment in Rosen's historical mystery series set in 1950s San Francisco. Evander Mills finally has a boyfriend, a safe apartment above a queer bar, and steady work as a PI. But there's always something threatening the fragile peace of the life he's built for himself, and this time it begins when the owner of a gay bookstore goes... Read More

Lee Child's short stories, which focus on protagonists from seedier sides of life, including hit men with varying moral compasses, are an interesting collection enhanced by a one-man show of narration by Edoardo Ballerini. Short stories might provide the biggest challenge for a narrator, and he is definitely up to it. Ballerini uses a variety of techniques--ranging from clipped... Read More

Listeners must sort out where the truth lies in this intricately plotted psychological novel revolving around the death of a wealthy Florida real estate developer. Accomplished narrator Tavia Gilbert tells this story about love, resentment, confessions, dark suspicions, climate change, and other crises. While Gilbert skillfully portrays multiple characters, her rendering of the... Read More

Author Nicholas Meyer's introduction sets the scene for David Robb's excellent narration of this WWI story. In 1916, Watson and Holmes reunite after several years apart. Watson has been treating wounded soldiers, while Holmes has been undercover, extracting information from an imprisoned traitor. Germany has a diabolical plan to "starve England into surrender," and it's up to... Read More

Brie Carter, Chandler Gregoire, and Lauren Ling Brown bring distinct performances to this layered mystery. The ensemble performances add depth to Maya's college reunion at Princeton, which transforms into a harrowing investigation of her sister Naomi's death. Carter's portrayal of Maya skillfully conveys her mix of grief and determination, immersing listeners in her search for... Read More

Cork O'Connor's diverse heritage plays a pivotal role in the latest audiobook in this consistently engaging series. O'Connor, who has both Irish and Ojibwe lineage, uses his background to unravel the mysteries surrounding the disappearance of a local politician's teenage daughter and the grave of a young Ojibwe woman. David Chandler is an excellent choice as narrator. His use... Read More

A team of talented narrators shines in this audiobook--part police procedural, part mystery, and part compelling character study. The story is set in the 1980s on the Sunshine Coast in British Columbia. Listeners know from the beginning who killed Carlyle Burke, but they don't know why. Staff Sgt. Karl Alberg, portrayed by Peter Outerbridge, is brought in to investigate. He... Read More

Golden Voice Martin Jarvis once again showcases his exceptional vocal talents in this mystery set amid British horse-racing syndicates and high-stakes betting. When syndicate manager Chester Newton receives a blackmail threat following his horse's derby victory, he finds himself under increasing pressure to fix future races. With his family's safety at risk, Chester sets out to... Read More

Listeners join Cordelia Black as her carefully constructed life starts to fall apart and her secret hobby of killing predatory men is at risk of being revealed. Narrator Stefanie Kay is the perfect voice for Cordelia, whose thoughts she brings alive. She successfully reveals both Cordelia's superior attitude and her strong desire to protect her loved ones, as well as the... Read More

Fans of Baldacci's Travis Devine series will find everything they've come to expect: a multilayered plot, high-stakes action, and bodies dropping everywhere. Narrator Zach Villa leads as Travis Devine, supported by a well-matched cast who heighten the listening experience. This time, Devine must protect 12-year-old Betsy Odom in Seattle. A complex web of conspiracies draws in... Read More

In this novella, narrator George Guidall showcases his masterful narration talents in bringing to life Walt Longmire, Henry Standing Bear, and a crew of new characters who share this intense adventure. Guidall's nuanced performance takes listeners on a life-threatening journey with Longmire and Henry as young men. Disillusioned after returning from serving in Vietnam, Longmire... Read More

Unexplained deaths, betrayal, corruption, secret societies, and buried treasure are only a few of the plot threads in Tom Ryan's twisty new mystery, and narrator Graham Halstead meshes them seamlessly. Peter Barnett's routine life changes after his estranged grandmother contacts him, inviting him to share her Maple Bay, Nova Scotia, mansion. Failed writer Cass is house-sitting... Read More

This fascinating and aptly named audiobook features two very different "good men," each fighting for justice in a completely different way. Narrator Curt Bonnem keeps listeners mesmerized with his pitch-perfect performance of mild-mannered scientist Dick Raynes and his counterpart, brilliant FBI Agent Steve Patterson, who is in love with Raynes's sister, Dee. After a lifetime... Read More

Emilia Ward, bestselling author of the Miranda Moody series, is a mum and wife, living outside of London. Ayesha Antoine as Emilia reveals that after so many "Miranda" books, it's time to leave her heroine behind--to the disappointment of her loyal fans and publisher. Antoine reflects Emilia's escalating fear as disturbing incidents mimicking plotlines from her novels begin... Read More