New Reviews by Title: K-O

Narrator Rosalyn Landor is a one-woman full-cast production. Alison Weir turns history into flesh and blood. The combination is extraordinary. The story of Henry VIII's fifth wife reminds us how deadly dangerous he was. Before she even imagines going to live in the court, Katheryn Howard--beautiful, young, willful, and from a prominent family--makes several bad choices in men.... Read More

Narrator Xe Sands establishes a deep and slightly raspy voice for Mimi, who decides to take her granddaughter, Brook, on a scavenger hunt to find "wild words"--words found in nature that are in danger of becoming forgotten. Brook is also on a mission to find the perfect item for show-and-tell. Sands emphasizes each of the "wild words." Her pacing slows, and the music... Read More

Narrator Rebecca Lowman ably depicts the volatile emotions engulfing three California families in the aftermath of a toddler's tragic death. This visceral coming-of-age story is enhanced by Lowman's keen characterizations and emotional acuity. The narrative alternates between 1993 and 2015, transporting listeners between Rory's seminal year on a horse ranch in California and... Read More

Stephen Haff's passionate narration adds power to his remarkable audiobook. Haff oversees Still Waters in a Storm, an after-school program in Brooklyn for undocumented students. The program is a place of calm for students whose lives are anything but; many face the threat of deportation and the toxic climate fomented by the current president. Haff's one-room learning space is a... Read More

Narrator Brittany Pressley portrays Jessica Yardley, who, 14 years ago, while pregnant, discovered that her husband was a serial killer. Pressley conveys high emotion in her voice, tone, and tempo as she voices Jessica, who is now a federal prosecutor raising a teenage daughter. Jessica is drawn into investigating a series of brutal murders in what appear to be copycat versions... Read More

Narrator Jesse Vilinsky's silvery voice takes listeners to Orkena, a kingdom where the type of magic one possesses determines one's destiny. Longing for more in life than working with her minor abilities, Zahru breaks the rules to escape the monotony for one night of freedom. When her escape backfires, she becomes slated to be the heirs' human sacrifice. Vilinsky expertly... Read More

Narrator Stefan Rudnicki makes quick work of this novella filled with dogs and cats and humans and clones and lots of political intrigue. On the planet Boon, a ringmaster is planning to put on a circus populated mostly with "uplifted" dogs and cats--uplifted meaning having "equivalent rights" but not equal rights. Therein lies the rub. Rudnicki is skillful in building the... Read More

With a smooth tone and steady pace, narrator Michael Crouch opens this dark coming-of-age audiobook. Michael Hesketh is lonely, gay high school student. When the awkward and unusually tall girl next door, Bunny Lampert, catches him smoking in her backyard, they forge an unlikely friendship. Bringing the characters to life, Crouch makes their voices recognizably different... Read More

Narrator Angela Brazil brings spirit and animation to Wendy Williams's personal look at one of nature's most cherished, admired, and vulnerable species. The study of butterflies has never been far from the collecting of specimens, and that pursuit has attracted more than its share of "thieves, hoarders, scientists, and other obsessives." These make for a high romance, for which... Read More

Narrator Tim Andrés Pabon captures the uniquely American tone embodied in this globe-trotting novel based on the life of Joe Sanderson--a Midwestern kid who began his life on the road in 1960 by hitchhiking to Mexico City. In pursuit of endless adventure and grist for his never completed "great American novel," Sanderson moved from hanging out with Rastas in Jamaica to crossing... Read More

Charles Lennox, consulting detective, teams up with his butler, Graham, and London's Metropolitan Police and Scotland Yard to investigate a most perplexing murder at Paddington Station. Fans of this series will appreciate the return of the talented James Langton, who narrates the third book of this prequel to the Charles Lennox series. The year is 1855. Lennox is called out to... Read More

Australian actor Luke Arnold narrates his debut fantasy novel in which a magical city shudders at the sudden loss of its magic. Fetch Philips takes odd jobs as a detective in Sunder City; his latest task is finding a missing teacher, a vampire whose body is slowly turning to dust without magic. Arnold portrays Fetch with pathos and differentiates the other characters, giving... Read More

René Ruiz does a splendid job narrating this fascinating history. Listeners will be engaged by this detailed work about the spy ring of 14 men and women, known as the Wasp Network, who were sent by Cuban intelligence to infiltrate anti-Castro groups in Florida in the 1990s. The ring was eventually found out, and several of its members sentenced to long prison sentences. The... Read More

Catherine Ho narrates a debut audio rom-com set in Singapore. According to her mother and aunts, successful Chinese-Malaysian lawyer Andrea Tang is missing something important in her life--a husband. As she rediscovers the dating world and connects with an affluent entrepreneur, she finds herself falling for her biggest work competitor. Ho's lively narration keeps the listener... Read More

Narrator John Bedford Lloyd previously portrayed attorney Alejandro "Sandy" Stern in Scott Turow's BURDEN OF PROOF. This time around, the brilliant defense lawyer is about to defend his last client. Lloyd adds a weariness and a touch of confusion to Stern's voice as he struggles to defend the 75-year old doctor who saved his life with a controversial cancer drug. Turow, known... Read More

Dion Graham narrated the author's companion book, FINDING LANGSTON. Now he delivers the story of a minor character from that work, Lymon, the boy who bullied Langston. Graham's soft tones tell of Lymon's early years in 1940s Mississippi; the nurturing he received from his grandfather, with whom he shared a love of music; and his visits with his father at Parchman Prison.... Read More

Narrator Terence Aselford and a full cast lead a GraphicAudio production of a sweeping fantasy epic kicked off by the death of a god. The balance of power and trust between the gods and humans is forever shifted, prompting a few to stand and defend humanity. The young seer Suri, voiced masterfully by Amanda Forstrom, prophesizes doom and gathers allies to her cause. Aselford's... Read More

On one level this is an exciting story about Chinese university students under attack by the Japanese in 1937. On another level it is about folklore, magic, and spirits that are ever present. Both genres are ably presented by narrator Emily Woo Zeller, whose soft yet confident voice persuades us that the magic is real and the plight of the student refugees, difficult and... Read More

Feminism meets the Middle Ages in the Modern Age in a fun teen audiobook, narrated by Jess Nahikian. Like her older brother, Kit Sweetly wants to be a knight at the medieval-themed restaurant where they work. The only problem is she's not male. With a little help from friends, Kit might be able to change her stars. Nahikian's pleasant voice captures the teen's range of... Read More

In a reverent tone, narrator Karen Chilton brings dignity to remarkable and often overlooked African-American women who fought for suffrage in the U.S. Beginning with the start of the Abolitionist Movement in the 1830s and continuing to present-day efforts by African-Americans to fight against voter suppression, this audiobook demonstrates how Black women have had to battle... Read More

Everyone knows that Abraham Lincoln was assassinated, but how many know that there was a previous, unsuccessful attempt on his life? Let narrator Scott Brick tell you all about it. Historian, novelist, and television mystery show host Brad Meltzer once again roots through history to unearth secrets long hidden. And Brick acts as his voice to get the story out. It's no wonder.... Read More

Narrator Rachel Jacobs's youthful voice is perfectly matched to Stead's story about a tween girl who is learning to deal with her emotions. Twelve-year-old Bea's life is about to change, and she is excited. Her father is getting remarried, and his fiancé's daughter, Sonia, will soon be Bea's new sister. Jacobs communicates Bea's infectious enthusiasm over the upcoming wedding... Read More

Narrator Cassandra Campbell portrays a cast of characters from around the world in a work of speculative fiction that addresses the ubiquity of technology. Virtual pets, called "kentukis," allow a stranger from somewhere else in the world to control everything the pet sees, while the owner can choose how much or how little to share. Campbell's narration is immersive. The... Read More

Narrator Dion Graham captures listeners' attention in this heartbreaking audiobook about five orphans in an unnamed coastal town in an unnamed African country. Each of the five main characters has such a distinct personality that it could have made sense to hire a full cast, but with Graham narrating, it was unnecessary. The various dialects, accents, and quirks of the... Read More

A. Almeida narrates the story of Wendy, a 30-year-old woman who is navigating the ups and downs of being transgender. As she deals with the challenges of how people respond to her, she discovers that her Mennonite grandfather also may have been transgender. Almeida brings a youthful dryness to her narration. And it works. The characters have similar-sounding voices--mostly... Read More

After taking us from Mesopotamia to Rome, this audiobook focuses primarily on English-language poetry. Brief excursions take place into other languages, but the only one whose poetry is considered in any real depth is English. Its exploration of that is pretty thorough, though, and Ralph Lister's narration is exemplary. He clearly differentiates between the historical and... Read More

This prescient thriller was written in 2005 but turned down by publishers, who thought the story about a global pandemic that forces London into quarantine was "ludicrous." The Scottish author's frequent collaborator, Peter Forbes, narrates this chilling story with an edginess that perfectly mirrors the action. Centered on D.I. Jack MacNeil's efforts to track down the murderer... Read More

Narrator John Lee's strikingly deep voice, crisp accent, and powerful enunciation constitute an admirable and powerful tool, but one that here overpowers his material. The topic is grand--the story of London as the center of British trade and exploration that transformed England from a backwater to a budding empire over the course of the sixteenth century. But it's still... Read More

Joe Pickett fans will be delighted that David Chandler is returning to narrate the newest installment in the series. Chandler portrays Pickett without embellishment; the Wyoming game warden is a straight shooter (literally and figuratively), loyal to his friends and family, and committed to upholding justice. At 50, Pickett is capable of handling almost everything and surprised... Read More

Narrator Christopher Ragland sounds like an approachable guy you might want to have coffee with. This warmth makes him an ideal choice for an audiobook that explores the practice of minimalism. Ragland comes across like a knowledgeable friend. Listeners will lean into chapters that examine the roots and benefits of minimalist culture. His quick, upbeat pace keeps his... Read More

With subtle variations in intonation and accent, narrator Lisa Flanagan contrasts present-day characters with Renaissance Venetian counterparts in this intriguing and romantic audiobook. William Lomazzo, a married artist, brings an old treatise on art that has been in his family for generations to Rose, a book restorer. As they gradually uncover a hidden text, they realize it... Read More

Micky Shiloah's emotional and introspective narration is just as powerful as playwright David Adjmi's prose in this lyrical memoir about family and identity. Adjmi writes about his Brooklyn childhood in an insular religious community of Syrian Jews, his struggles with depression, his continual sense of not fitting in--whether due to his being gay or his doubts about God--and... Read More

True baseball fans know Lou Gehrig's time on the diamond served as a critical component of the Yankees' classic teams. He should not be regarded as having stood in Babe Ruth's shadow. Non-fans know Gehrig as the namesake of the disease that cut short his life. Historian Alan D. Gaff has brought to life lost newspaper columns by the Iron Horse, and narrators Angelo Di Loreto and... Read More

Adenrele Ojo's and Barrie Buckner's narration talents transform this reunion of childhood friends into a vivid and emotional story for listeners. After tragedy strikes, teenaged Tyson Trice is taken in by a wealthy family and starts his life again. Buckner's smooth and soulful voice has an enjoyably youthful tone--his performance captures Trice's initial hardness, which gives... Read More

Narrators Samantha Brentmoor and Brian Pallino provide the perfect blend of voices as romance blooms between Avery Sunshine and Carter Ross on the Jersey Shore. Carter's sister is getting married and hires Avery's bridal firm to coordinate the wedding. At first, Carter drives Avery crazy with his attempts to help with the planning, but slowly the attraction between them grows.... Read More

This short and sweet novella on audio will satisfy fans of SIMON VS. THE HOMO SAPIENS AGENDA and LEAH ON THE OFFBEAT. Michael Crouch, who narrated SIMON to excellent effect, is joined by three actors who are new to the series. Told entirely through emails, the story follows high school friends Simon, Blue, Leah, and Abby in their first year of college. Leah and Abby are... Read More

In this 1992 L.A. Theatre Works live performance, Tony Award winner David Cromer and the irrepressible Shelley Berman (1925-2017) created a wonderful chemistry between a shy rabbinical student who is searching for the perfect mate and an old-style Yiddish matchmaker who possesses a large envelope full of prospects. Always full of heartwarming wit and comic detail, these ace... Read More

In this audiobook narrated by Brian Nishii a man's sudden death sparks an investigation into his mysterious past. Daisuké Taniguchi, a forester in a small Japanese town, is killed by a falling tree. When Daisuké's wife tells his estranged family the news, she learns that her husband wasn't Daisuké Taniguchi, but another man using Daisuké's identity. She asks her attorney, Akira... Read More

Narrator Bill Homewood gives his voice a hint of a Spanish accent and more than a hint of melodrama as he narrates Johnston McCulley's classic tale. Listeners first meet Zorro on an ominous "evil night" as he confronts the authorities in the pueblo that will someday be modern Los Angeles. Today's audience likely already knows that Zorro is the "lifeless" noble Don Diego, but... Read More

In this delightful audiobook, Juliet and Reverend Brooks's wedding day has arrived, and it seems that anything that can go wrong does so. The next morning candymaker Bailey King goes to inspect the church and finds the murdered body of a woman who tried to crash the wedding. The murder leads to Bailey's most dangerous investigation yet. Rebecca Mitchell, narrating in the voice... Read More

Mickey Spillane mysteries are classics, and this audiobook--written by Collins, who has taken over the character--is as entertaining as any. Narrator Stefan Rudnicki's gruff voice provides an ideal complement to the latest novel featuring Mike Hammer, a PI whose techniques and style break the mold. Hammer is hired by the father of Wall Street financier Vincent Colby, who is... Read More

Psychologist Lara Fielding's narrating personality is well suited to her helpful lesson on managing difficult and intrusive feelings. She delivers her work, aimed primarily at young adults, with professional-level clarity and a cheerful tone. The latter quality is necessary, given the types of emotional distortions and painful instability her suggestions target. From her... Read More

Occasionally, audiobook listening experiences are to the ears what that first flute of icy cold, frothy, and effervescent glass of Sunday brunch bubbly is to the mouth. This is such an experience. Country singing legend Loretta Lynn details her close friendship with the superstar entertainer Patsy Cline. Patsy Lynn Russell, named for Cline, assists her mother in the writing and... Read More

Narrator Kate Rudd creates unique voices for mysterious mermaids, powerful witches, and evil pirates in this fantasy adventure. Flora, a young woman forced to make terrible decisions to survive, works as a man aboard a pirate ship that sells unwitting passengers into slavery. When she falls for Evelyn, a passenger on her way to an arranged marriage, Flora finally fights back... Read More

Frankie Corzo's velvety voice puts listeners under her spell as she narrates this horror audiobook. Noemí Taboada is a clever 22-year-old anthropology student buzzing between parties in 1950s Mexico City. She is quite put out when her father sends her to the countryside to check on her recently married cousin, Catalina, whose in-laws built their fortune with an ill-fated mine.... Read More

Adjoa Andoh's dramatic narration is paired with Kirsty Applebaum's lyrical prose in this debut dystopian novel. In a not-too-distant future, first-born children are revered and celebrated. Then, at age 14, they leave to serve in the Quiet War and are never seen again. Youngest children are pampered and a bit spoiled. But middlers, like 11-year-old Maggie, are never made to feel... Read More

This is a deeply personal audiobook about marathon runner Rachel Cullen's mental health issues and how she overcame them. Narrator Kat Rose-Martin immerses herself in her performance, bringing Cullen's authenticity to listeners, complete with her northern England accent. When Cullen learns she can no longer run after a leg injury, the devastating development ends her reliance... Read More

Roslyn Oades robustly narrates this charming and unique tale set in a Russian museum. The story is based on the cats of the Hermitage, Andrew Jackson's home, and the British Museum. Late on a stormy night, Peter, a bedraggled kitten, is left in the museum. Listeners will join kittens Boris, Bianca, Tasha, and their grandad, Ivan, who live in the building and spend nights... Read More

This title may be familiar because of the movie of the same name, directed by Clint Eastwood. Not surprisingly, if you saw and liked the movie, you'll love this listen. Narrators David Colacci and JD Jackson make this an engaging, captivating story of life inside and outside the squared circle. They capture the feel of a ratty old gym as well as the hope of an underdog boxer.... Read More

Narrator Eve Passeltiner delivers a relatable performance as Stevie, a kitchen manager who is a recovering alcoholic, in this somber novel. Stevie has had a hard life since she was gang-raped and left pregnant at a young age. She now keeps her feelings compartmentalized. Passeltiner displays Stevie's reluctance to engage with her emotions by keeping an even tone and unhurried... Read More

Journalist and comedian Sopan Deb tells his story of turning his estrangement from his parents into a deep and meaningful relationship while redefining his own South Asian identity. His fast-paced narration and straightforward candor lend themselves to a rapidly unfolding and exciting listen filled with a mix of raw authenticity and laugh-out-loud humor. Deb offers distinct... Read More

Landon Woodson's quiet confidence is a great vehicle for expressing the perspective that permeates this important audiobook about racism. The young actor connects in a balanced way with the author's mission to call out the realities of slavery and the rationales, denials, and hypocracy associated with its continuing effects on African-Americans. Woodson's matter-of-fact tone... Read More

Natasha Gregson Wagner, daughter of Natalie Wood and British producer Richard Gregson, bravely narrates a work that is, at once, a personal memoir and an abbreviated biography of her actress mother and actor stepfather, Robert "RJ" Wagner. Wagner was 11 when Wood's body was recovered from the waters off Catalina Island. Her narration, as well as her story, are highly personal,... Read More

Narrators Rachel L. Jacobs and P.J. Ochlan deliver a swoon-worthy performance of this YA novel. Engaging listeners right off the bat with a stellar British accent is Ochlan as Luke, the son of a famous UK rock star. Luke is a masterful songwriter, yet he struggles with stage fright. Vada, currently working at a legendary bar and writing a music blog, is laser focused on her... Read More

PRIDE AND PREJUDICE gets a contemporary reboot in this audio romance. When responsible, cash-strapped Elisa Benitez meets prickly heiress Darcy Fitzgerald in a community college literature class, it's annoyance at first sight--but as fans of the story know, first impressions can be deceiving. Listeners who enjoyed Austen's leisurely pacing will relish narrator Chandra Skyye's... Read More

Narrator Anna Bentinck impeccably introduces Maria Branwell Brontë, who is ordinarily in the shadow of her famous children and eccentric husband. Listeners enthusiastically join Maria, her wealthy Penzance family, and later her husband, Reverend Patrick Brontë. Bentinck's thoughtful delivery enriches each character, and she excels at evocative descriptions of both grand and... Read More

Narrator Quyen Ngo transports listeners to Vietnam with this historical fiction debut chronicling a family's struggles during the war. The audiobook begins with an all too familiar scene: Vietnamese people running for cover as the American military bombs Hanoi. Then, in two coinciding timelines, Huong and her grandmother, Dieu Lan, recount the survival stories of some members... Read More

This audio whodunit stands out because it is beguilingly set in fin-de-siècle Cracow. Featuring a self-important amateur snoop addicted to reading cozy mysteries, it should be stylish period fun, like Benson's Mapp v. Lucia stories. Unfortunately, given the shrill bossy voice Moira Quirk gives our social-climbing housewife sleuth, Zofia Turbotynska, she comes across as... Read More

Narrator Caroline Lennon transports listeners to Ireland, where traditional beliefs about fairies make for a powerful listening experience. An urgent phone call to Macdara Flannery, a member of the Irish Garda, opens this mystery audiobook. Macdara and his fiancée, fellow Garda Siobhán O'Sullivan, become immersed in the murder of Macdara's aunt, which locals blame on evil... Read More

Amateur sleuths Veronica Speedwell and her colleague, Stoker, come to the aid of the Crown in this audiobook, set in 1888. The pair end up discovering the body of a murdered woman, getting kidnapped, and finding themselves involved in the crimes of Jack the Ripper. Narrator Angele Masters performs this flamboyant story with vividness, effectively slowing down the pacing to... Read More

A. Kendra Greene's love for Iceland, its hundreds of quirky museums and private collections, and the people behind these diverse institutions is obvious in her delightful narration of this unusual travel book. Greene's voice is rich and expressive, and she rolls through the Icelandic words with authenticity. (She thanks her language coach in the acknowledgments.) Her curiosity... Read More

Seema Yasmin is proud of the unique Muslim women she knows personally as well as the increasing number of Muslim women role models in the public sphere. As narrator, her enthusiasm spills over to listeners in this series of short essays about Muslim congresswomen, athletes, and musicians who defy media stereotypes. Those interested in feminist identity will enjoy this... Read More

Narrator Grover Gardner returns to breathe life into listeners' favorite dog-loving lawyer as Andy Carpenter defends a man declared dead in a boat explosion. Gardner makes listeners root for Andy as he becomes embroiled in the case when the supposedly dead man retrieves his beloved companion from Andy's dog-rescue charity. After the police charge the man with murdering his... Read More

In this historical fantasy account of the life and times of Calamity Jane and Annie Oakley, narrator Sophie Amoss keeps the bizarre world of talking dogs and werewolves firmly rooted. The narrative goes over the top when the writers pop in to talk directly to listeners, yet the thread is never lost. Amoss deserves the credit for that. She narrates with calm assuredness in the... Read More

In this collection of personal essays, author/narrator Laura Lippman covers a range of relatable topics, such as motherhood, social media, body image, and aging, as well as circumstances particular to her own life, such as her path from journalist to award-winning genre novelist. Her soft, expressive delivery finds a comfortable place between performance and storytelling,... Read More

Selenis Leyva, known for her role as inmate Gloria Mendoza in "Orange Is the New Black," and her younger sister, Marizol Leyva, share their affecting memoir of family and gender identity with listeners. They frame their memoir in three parts, emphasizing the importance of honoring the identities of transgender individuals while recounting Marizol's story as a transgender woman... Read More

This listen couldn't be more timely. In the midst of the Black Live Matters movement, Sellers shares his story of growing up Black in the South and making his way to national prominence as a politician and then a CNN analyst. He's the son of activist parents, so the path he took is not surprising. Nor it is surprising to learn he has a smooth, confident delivery. Sellers... Read More

This audiobook, essentially a love letter to gardening, wends its way through foliage and flowers with a sweet, affectionate tone, thanks to Arthur Morey's genuine narration. With a unique texture to his tone, Morey treats this very specific subject matter with a warmth that transcends mere reflection and allows the listener to consider larger, more personal connections with... Read More

In an understated, melodious narration, Kaitlin Curtice unfolds her story of reclaiming the Potowatomi culture of her father, which was put aside after her parents' divorced and Curtice was being raised by her mother and stepfather in a white, evangelical Christian household. Narrating unhurriedly, in a steady cadence, Curtice spools out her riveting journey through the telling... Read More

How often have you considered the worth of dandelions and silverfish? After listening to this charming audiobook, you'll be sure to give these small critters more attention. Narrator Charles Constant lends his cheerful, easygoing voice to this delightful audiobook about insects and plants usually considered pests. Constant's narration is full of so much delight, wonder, and... Read More

Jesmyn Ward, the author of SING, UNBURIED, SING, performs the moving speech she delivered at Tulane University's commencement in 2018. Ward humbly recounts her belief that a college education would help her create a life not bound by poverty or the circumstance of her birth. With raw emotion, Ward describes her disappointment and disillusionment when, after graduation, she had... Read More

Kevin R. Free narrates the first full-length Murderbot novel, after four previous novellas. Once again, Murderbot has to rescue its humans from the idiotic mess they have gotten themselves into when it would really rather be left alone to watch its media in peace. Narrator Free perfectly captures the acerbic, exasperated tone of Murderbot that makes it so relatable. He also... Read More

With wry empathy, narrator Amy McFadden walks listeners through the pain of Carli Lancaster's divorce and the romance she finds with neighbor and fellow divorcé Ben Chase. McFadden clearly conveys their mental anguish without making either character sound self-pitying. Carli's voice invites listener commiseration, while Ben's is deeper and friendly. McFadden even uses a subtle... Read More

Entertainer Mike Birbiglia and his wife, J. Hope Stein, work together to present a humorous contemporary story of reluctant parents. The pair are excellent foils. Birbiglia is lively--full of ironic observations and laugh-out-loud one-liners. Stein is more reserved, breathy and sincere as she reads her original poems, which are sprinkled throughout. In this audiobook listeners... Read More

This short and informative audiobook is the latest from the Pocket Change Collective, a series of small books by artists and activists exploring politics and social justice. In a warm and conversational tone, author and narrator Adam Eli lays out a framework for a new generation of queer activism based on kindness, radical empathy, and community responsiblity. Drawing on the... Read More

Three narrators--James Chen, Adenrele Ojo, and Allyson Ryan--ramp up the tension in this literary thriller about an Asian man learning the ropes of life while reeling from the sudden loss of his friend. Margo and Lucas work at a tech company called Nimbus. When Margo is fired, they steal Nimbus's data to get new jobs at a different company. As they settle into their new... Read More

If you're a fan of twists and turns, whodunits, and why'd-they-do-its, this is a must-listen. Narrator Megan Tusing does a great job capturing this engaging mystery. The story centers on a veterinarian who's a loving mom, devoted wife, and doer of good deeds. That last part is what gets her into trouble. Has her past finally caught up with her? Is it true that no good deed goes... Read More

Provocative, powerful, and informative, this audiobook about how our nation criminalizes immigrants is an important and timely listen. Immigration rights activist and attorney Alina Das, author and narrator, draws in listeners with an impassioned introduction that lays the foundation for her work. Narrator Roxana Ortega shares the heartbreaking and compelling stories of those... Read More

Narrator Suzanne Toren has a lovely French accent and is very good at indicating by tone or timing that a passage is in quotes or otherwise emphasized. She narrates the fascinating story of a pair of British suffragist surgeons who ran military hospitals throughout WWI in France and London, staffed entirely by women. The text is occasionally repetitive, perhaps necessarily, as... Read More

Aboard the American sailing ship HERBERT FULLER in 1896, the captain, his wife, and the second mate were murdered with an ax for no discernible reason, and the killer remains unknown. Actor Daniel Thomas May narrates this tale in the authoritative tone of a newscaster, which works well when he delivers the author's own words. However, when the author quotes from contemporary... Read More

Chris Abernathy's narration starts off by putting listeners at the scene of the Astor Place Riot of 1849, which the writer Ned Buntline was involved in. Abernathy puts a sense of urgency into the blow-by-blow accounts of violence in Buntline's life story. Elsewhere, there's amusement in Abernathy's voice as he reads newspaper clippings on the play Buntline wrote for William... Read More

Singer, actor, and author Dr. François S. Clemmons, known to many as Officer Clemmons from "Mister Rogers' Neighborhood," recounts his unforgettable life story in this captivating memoir. Clemmons's voice is serene and unwavering as he paints a vivid picture of his difficult upbringing, which was marked by violence, abuse, discrimination, and confusion about his sexuality. In a... Read More

Author Martyn Waites deftly switches from pen to mic for his exciting, sometimes terrifying, mystery set in rural Cornwall. Secretive Tom Killgannon--ex-military, ex-police, and now in the Witness Protection Program--is living in St. Petroc, where he works in a pub. Listeners will be shocked when he finds frightened 17-year-old Lila in his remote home. Waites perfectly creates... Read More

Leon Nixon brings gravitas to his narration of this historic look at what African-American athletes endured in the 1930s. His steady pace, deep pitch, solid enunciation, and just the right touch of drama blanket the audiobook. Black athletes had to deal with discrimination on home soil at a time when Adolf Hitler was rising to power on a platform of intolerance and racial... Read More

CNN's chief international correspondent, Clarissa Ward, narrates her own life story as an award-winning conflict journalist. Both her writing and delivery are concise, clear, and to the point. Listeners follow Ward as she acquires these communication skills as a fledgling journalist in post 9/11 Iraq, Lebanon, and Syria. Her viewpoint as a feminist covering the words and... Read More

Lynnette R. Freeman narrates a soapy saga of life in Henry Adams, Kansas, where the only thing bigger than the drama is the hearts of the townsfolk. Freeman has a large cast of characters to work with, and standouts include her portrayals of Bernadine Brown, Reverend Paula, and Sheila Payne: Freeman reflects the confidence of Bernadine, who is coming into her own as the owner... Read More

Danny DeVito voices the part of Bob in the upcoming movie THE ONE AND ONLY IVAN, and here he enhances the self-centered canine in this audiobook. DeVito's rough-and-tough humorous performance is a perfect fit for Bob. His narration of the free-form verses reveals Bob's sardonic nature. He's "never been accused of being a good dog." He eats cat litter, hogs the couch, and "may... Read More

Neil Shah narrates this mystery/thriller in which Tully Jarsdel, a former college professor turned L.A. homicide detective, is on the hunt for a brutal killer. Those he works with are not accepting of his meteoric rise to the Homicide division. Sadly, Shah's characterizations don't hit the mark for the most part, missing a genuine feel for a story reminiscent of classic... Read More

Narrator Brittany Pressley recounts the story of Oona Lockhart and her transformative time travels. The story begins in 1982 in New York City as Oona is celebrating her nineteenth birthday on New Year's Eve and soon jumps to the year Oona is 51. As the story continues, Oona travels back and forth between various periods in her life. Using tones of both melancholy and... Read More

Narrator George Guidall brings back the key characters in Silva's Gabriel Allon series. Through a mystery reminiscent of THE DA VINCI CODE, listeners are taken into the world of Catholicism and its historic relation to Jews. Through tone and accent, Guidall differentiates the many characters--some regulars, some new, some good, some quite devious--all of whom move the story... Read More

This entertaining GraphicAudio production about a small town in Oregon where gods go to vacation is packed with mystery, romance, and a whole lot of fun. Police Chief Delaney Reed has a murder to solve, but she also has a handsome and charming childhood friend back in town to contend with. Part of the magic of this story is the perfect performance of lead narrator Colleen... Read More

Shayna Small eagerly narrates a cyberpunk thriller in which a gamer unravels a conspiracy. Ashley "Ashura the Terrible" Akachi is a legend in a near-future VR game. Her life takes a turn, though, when she discovers a far-reaching conspiracy involving the game publisher and her love interest. Small gives the characters distinct vivid voices, making it effortless for listeners to... Read More

In this audiobook, Sadie, Will, and their family relocate to an island in Maine. After the murder of one of their neighbors, their lives start to unravel. The story is told from the viewpoint of the key characters, including Mouse, an abused girl; Camille, Will's sassy lover; and Will and Sadie themselves, each revealing a different perspective. Narrator Piper Goodeve gives... Read More

If you are a stickler for thrillers that make strict sense and seem to follow laws of probability or possibility in the known world, this audiobook may not be for you. If you relish a rich stew of human evil with some supernatural gothic touches, marvelously performed, dig in here. Richard Armitage is the principal narrator, and all his impressive gifts for drama, accents, and... Read More

In a voice full of grace, warmth, and determination, politician and activist Stacey Abrams provides listeners with a road map for building a more just and democratic nation. She gives an overview of the history of voter suppression in the U.S. and then delves into the myriad ways Republican lawmakers continue to block minority voters from the polls. As examples, she details... Read More

Anyone who has connected with animals will find reason to rejoice as this fascinating audiobook explores the human-animal bond. Narrator Graham Winton has an instantly authoritative voice, yet his delivery leaves a wide berth for the audiobook's undercurrent of wonder and awe. Winton brings excitement to the stories of animal encounters like the one about the diver who is... Read More

Narrator Kathleen McInerney returns to Amish country to portray Chief of Police Kate Burkholder in this dive into the dark world of police corruption. In the 12th book in the series, Burkholder confronts her former best friend, Detective Gina Colorosa, who is discovered by an Amish farmer and his children nearly frozen to death after having been shot. Castillo opens a window... Read More

Daniel Weyman and Bea Holland deftly narrate this complicated, sometimes far-fetched, mystery set in London and its suburbs. Nick Ashdown and his family were grief-stricken 12 years ago when Rob, his younger brother, was declared dead in a boating accident. Weyman's Nick is hesitant, compassionate, and charmingly self-deprecating. Listeners and the Ashdowns are astonished when... Read More

When the seminal rock band The Who burst onto the British rock-and- roll/pop scene in 1964, it was 20-year-old John Entwistle's superb, innovative, and LOUD bass playing that drove the band's distinctive sound. Narrating with ease and English restraint, Thomas Judd leads the listener from Entwistle's West London childhood, where he built his first guitar out of a block of wood... Read More