In the 10th installment of the Undoubtable Rose Beaufont series, Dara Rosenberg continues to provide her lilting narration to its clever protagonist. Rose Beaufont must hunt Mater Inferni, the Mother of Witches, and then figure out how to destroy her without destroying herself or all of magic. As the title suggests, this is not a dark, foreboding magical story but one full of... Read More

Narrator Tyler Darby's rough-hewn narration matches Sala's heartwarming story of soulmates who connect during the Christmas holiday. Darby is a solid match for Trey Austin, who has a car accident on a deserted road. Darby's voicing differs for Marley Corbett, the innkeeper who follows her angel's advice to find and save Trey. Marley's voice is both confident and kind. Trey gets... 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

Pete Cross's youthful timbre renders the limited experience of a boy named Evan, who seems largely forgotten by his self-involved parents. Cross's portrayal of Evan contrasts with GM Hakim's bass voice, which periodically comes into the narrative as he depicts Samarkand, a border collie who is neglected by humans and must continually negotiate difficult situations. Clear in... Read More

Listeners join Jasmine Garza as she begins eighth grade, hoping for a fresh start. During the four years and several moves since Papi died, she and Mami have been followed by a ghost. Jasmine is surprised and pleased to find out that Bea and Jorge, members of her school's Gay Straight Alliance, are willing to help her obtain proof that she sees a ghost. In a smooth, precise... Read More

Narrator Melanie Mendez brings warmth to the holiday romance that develops between Daphne, a baker, and Tristan, an architect. Daphne sets up a temporary shop in the lobby of Tristan's office building. At first, with his preference for simple elegance, he resents the clutter of Daphne's kiosk--which looks like a gingerbread house. Mendez believably portrays Tristan's... Read More

Maria Ru-Djen narrates this thought-provoking story about what happens to Dorothy after she returns from Oz. In Sunbonnet, Kansas, everything is black and white. Dorothy's story describing where she's been--Oz's vivid colors, talking creatures, and good and bad witches-- along with her remorse over melting a witch, convince the townspeople that she's possessed by Satan. When... Read More

Narrator Dominique Franceschi narrates this sweet story in a joyful, tender tone. La Señora Mimi has been babysitting for Ana daily while her mom works; together, they go to the park, have snacks, and feed squirrels. All will change when Ana's grandmother comes to live with them; Ana will no longer need to have a babysitter. Happy, at first, that her grandmother will be with... Read More

Narrator Amy McFadden draws the listener into the romance between physical therapist Lucy Dawson and quarterback Jax Wylder. Lucy blames Jax for the accident that ruined her brother's dream of playing professional football, and McFadden adds a touch of hostility to her performance. The pair are thrust together when Jax plans to open a camp for kids with disabilities. McFadden... Read More

The musicality of Helen Day's voice combined with her British accent provides an enticing entry into Buckthorn Forest, where a squirrel named Evergreen is afraid of pretty much everything, and her mama makes soup magical enough to be a cure for the sick. Mama tells Evergreen she must take soup to sick Granny Oak. Her firm and comforting voice is a marked contrast to the quavery... Read More

Chanté McCormick narrates this queer, anti-colonial sci-fi novella. Virika struggles to thrive on a colonized space planet under the control of an empire in the same way that her ancestors struggled to get ahead when the British Empire ruled the British West Indies. She worked hard to succeed in the Merchant Marines, but when her captain dies, she is convicted of treason for... Read More

Narrating her own memoir, author Rosie Schaap transports listeners from bustling New York to pastoral Northern Ireland in this story of loss, love, and eventual healing. When Schaap is just 39, her husband and mother pass away within a year of each other. Still struggling with grief nearly a decade later, she moves to Belfast for a writing program right before the pandemic... Read More

Narrator Katie Rich matches the youthful tone and spunky energy of Mud Sawpole, a Kiowa woman with a Silicon Valley business, as she returns to her home to find a missing priceless artifact, the Jefferson Peace Medal. Rich portrays complex characters and recounts Indigenous history at a fast clip, engaging listeners at both an emotional and an intellectual level. A room full of... Read More

Tavia Gilbert narrates this unique audiobook. Shortly after their affair began in 2003, Nobel Prize winning French writer Annie Ernaux and photographer Marc Marie began taking pictures of the clothes they left on the floor before sex. Later, they selected 14 of those pictures to write about, each separately creating the texts that have become this audiobook. There is no... Read More

Narrators Kim Churchill and Oliver Clarke perform this rivals-to-lovers hockey romance. Sutton Jones is thrilled to have her dream job as a physical therapist for a professional hockey team--the same hockey team her brother and Shaw Daniels, the bane of her existence, play for. Shaw is her brother's best friend and has always been her rival in some way--or so she thinks.... Read More

Jenny Funnell impeccably presents this mystery set in an English assisted-living facility. It becomes much more than a whodunit as it offers moving themes of love, friendship, and aging. Listeners meet invincible 87-year-old wheelchair-bound Florrie, who is investigating whether the fall of the home's manager was an attempted suicide or murder. As Florrie investigates, events... Read More

Michelle Lee's narration of this compelling debut will immediately engage listeners. Abby Rodier grew up in foster care in the U.S. after being a "drop-box baby" in Korea. She was eventually taken in by her friend Iseul's family, and they remain connected as adults. She becomes a marine biologist and makes an unexpected discovery while studying sea slugs. Her research into the... Read More

Narrator Nick Mondelli masterfully spins a web of empathy and heartbreak in this novel set in Waverly Hills, a historic tuberculosis hospital in Louisville, Kentucky, in the Prohibition era of the 1920s. Dr. Wolfgang Pike believes in the healing power of music. While composing a requiem for his late wife, he creates an orchestra for the patients and medical staff. But because... Read More

When a precocious girl with a sense of entitlement graduates from the world's top university of magic and is assigned to be the protector of a tiny village on the edge of nowhere, she's not so thrilled. With easy humor and a homespun tone, narrator Lindsey Dorcus depicts the girl's transformation from an outsider who must continually battle the town goat to a champion of her... Read More

Narrating with enthusiasm, Gary Tiedemann tells of Little Lobo and his friends as they attend the out-of-this-world book festival, hosted by the Guadalupian Library. By borrowing maps, books, and hardware tools and using public computers, the friends get the most out of their library visit. The audiobook highlights Mexican American culture, referencing burritos, la llorona, el... Read More

Carrington MacDuffie narrates this insightful collection of teachings on mindfulness at a leisurely pace. With warmth and earnestness her performance brings charm and sincerity to Cochran's stories of the hard-won life lessons that set her on the path to embracing the present moment. Along with her personal insights, Cochran shares the transformative spiritual guidance she... Read More

Being in his late 80s and having a well-respected career in psychiatry behind him, bestselling Korean author Rhee Kun Hoo explains the benefits of aging by sharing what he has learned throughout his life. Narrator Tim Lounibos presents the author's philosophy in a precise tone that thoroughly and smoothly gets key points across. Lounibos sounds studious yet comforting as Hoo... Read More

Erin Bennett speaks earnestly about the life of comedian Elaine May, warning listeners that separating fact from fiction is difficult. But Bennett's ease with the microphone makes it a joy. Blessed with brains and beauty, May was easily bored. She told outrageous lies about almost every aspect of her life. Bennett delicately tells the story of her groundbreaking comedy with... Read More

In this love letter to bookstores, narrated by Cindy Kay, employees fight to keep their store from closing. Fifty-year-old Jo's life revolves Bruebaker's Books, the behemoth of a bookstore she has managed for years. When Mr. Bruebaker, the owner, has a stroke, the store's CEO and his daughters order the iconic establishment to close immediately. Jo and several of the store's... Read More

Exuding warmth and enthusiasm, Sneha Mathan transports listeners to India and the world of Reeni and her friends. Reeni's teacher requires the class to do a survey on something they care about. For Reeni, it's birds, and since it's time for Bird Count India, she goes all in. Mathan's slightly quick cadence renders Reeni's impulsive energy--sometimes she forgets to listen! The... Read More

Dara Rosenberg employs bright, youthful tones to portray naïve 20-year-old Rose Harkness Beaufont, who suddenly learns she's half mortal and half magician--and the newly recovered heir to the House of Fourteen and Mortal Seven. On that very day, Rose must take up her mission as a warrior and witch hunter to destroy the magic of the Shadow Walker coven of Los Angeles. In this... Read More

Narrators Maeve York and Benjamin Sands deliver exceptional performances of this audiobook. Gage Buchanan, a seemingly perfect single man, meets Rory Casteel, a cocktail waitress turned art appraiser, in his hometown of Calliope. Rory is on a mission to find her father and doesn't expect to cross paths with Gage after their one-night stand. However, as their attraction grows,... Read More

Adam Nimoy recounts his struggles with his famous father, Leonard, and with his own addictions in this compelling story of family and recovery. Leonard is best known for his portrayal of the unflinchingly logical but lovable Spock from the Star Trek franchise. In life, his son experienced a different person: a distant workaholic with demons to spare. Throughout the audiobook,... Read More

Narrator Amy McFadden breathes life into the romance between pop music star Simon Bennett, and publicist Juliette Bellucci. After a scandal with her previous client, Juliette is assigned to work with Simon on a concert documentary. Simon doesn't want his difficult childhood to be part of the film, and Juliette is tasked with making sure that doesn't happen. Simon has a sunny... Read More

As someone who has made a living with his voice, singer-songwriter Robyn Hitchcock is the best person to narrate this brief memoir of the year he turned 14. That was the year, 1967, when the world first heard the Beatles' SGT. PEPPER album. With his London accent sounding both educated and edgy, Hitchcock gives an enthusiastic performance of this memoir, complete with raucous... Read More

Capitalism and its relentless focus on growth is speeding our planet toward becoming uninhabitable due to climate change. Unchecked, capitalism will continue to exploit the cheap labor and resources of less developed countries, accelerate global warming, and cause mass migrations of people from uninhabitable regions. Saito's radical solution is a version of Marxism that... Read More

Narrator Cindy Kay entertains listeners as she skillfully delivers this satirical novel's snarky tone. Aki Hiyashi-Brown accepts a teaching job at the expensive, predominantly white Wesley Friends School in order for her daughter, Meg, to be able to attend. After racist graffiti is found at the school, Aki, one of the few teachers of color, is assigned to be the head of the new... Read More

Journalist June Thomas narrates in a clear and authoritative voice. Her focus is the development of queer women's culture as seen through the lens of six noteworthy spaces that have existed over the past half century. From lesbian bars and communes to sex-toy shops, Thomas presents a rich portrait of the sapphic community through interviews and other firsthand accounts.... Read More

Dara Rosenberg delivers another engaging narration in The Undoubtable Rose Beaufont series. For the future of magic to be determined, Rose and her chimera companion, Elvis, must defeat the leader of a coven of evil witches. Rosenberg skillfully adjusts her pitch and cadence to give distinct voices to a diverse cast of characters. A stand-out performance is her portrayal of a... Read More

Alison Larkin re-creates WWII London, where citizens are facing deadly attacks from the air and spies on the ground. Listeners meet safecracker Electra "Ellie" McDonnell and her manager, Major Gabriel Ramsey. Larkin's buoyant Ellie hesitantly approaches the intense Ramsey about mysterious murders that are taking place. Her criminal connections have no idea who's behind them. At... Read More

Narrator Elisabeth Lagelee uses a soft French accent for this story of love and loss set in Milly, France. Twenty-one-year-old Justine works as a nursing assistant in a retirement/nursing home, where she collects the stories of her charges, especially those of Hélène, a nearly 100-year-old resident. Hélène recounts her life from the 1920s through the Nazi Occupation, including... Read More

Two childhood friends, Melissa and Leo, reconnect through the death of a friend's grandmother. When they arrive at the remote island where they lived as kids, they find their friend missing, and their grief quickly turns to sleuthing. Narrator Mara Wilson keeps the plot moving as the pair slowly uncover dark forces on the island. Wilson expresses their frustration through their... Read More

Ellie Gossage gives an intense and wonderfully introspective performance of this unsettling novel. Helen is lesbian lawyer whose parents have recently been incarcerated for an appalling crime of neglect. She's nearly perfected the art of compartmentalizing her trauma and using sex to distract herself, but she takes it to another level when she becomes involved with an older... Read More

In a masterful performance, Deepti Gupta delivers this story of twin sisters who are torn apart by family mores in 1950s Bombay. She brings the ever-rising stakes for Jaya and Kamlesh to the listener in living color. Her nuanced performance captures each character, particularly determined and passionate Jaya. Gupta's subtle shifts in tone and accent also enhance the... Read More

Four narrators lend their talents to a love story that spans decades. Leanne Woodward portrays stoic Chloe, a young librarian who is struggling to raise three younger siblings. When she stumbles upon an old book with intriguing marginalia, she strives to uncover the developing love story with the help of Joe Zack, a suave flirt portrayed by Joe Jameson, who makes him completely... Read More

Kirsten Potter narrates the fourth mystery featuring Greer Hogan, reference librarian and archivist. In this installment, she has returned to New York City to catalog a magician's estate, including his rare book collection. But her personal mission is to identify her husband Dan's killer. She and a magician named Grim poke into hidden cupboards and locked rooms. Potter ensures... Read More

In an impressive performance, Nicol Zanzarella takes listeners into the beauty, sensuality, and deadly dangers of sixteenth-century Venice. Valentina Riccardi is both a courtesan and a paid assassin. She has no moral qualms about her work, believing that her contract killings are for the good of the Venice she loves. That's true until her employer, Ambrogio Malatesta, presents... Read More

Mara Wilson and Lindsey Dorcus narrate a romance set on a reality-TV dating show. Krystin is appearing on "Hopelessly Devoted" to find a husband; Lauren is on the show to build her social media presence. Neither woman expects to fall for anyone, not even Josh, the show's hopeless romantic. Wilson brings sweet sincerity to her portrayal of Krystin, emphasizing her overall... Read More

Gospodinov's award-winning novel is given an energetic and spirited narration by Toby Stephens. This work is the memoir of Georgi, a Bulgarian who finds solace in the Greek legend of the Minotaur. The course of his life goes in various directions, much like a labyrinth. Georgi communicates his feelings of abandonment in vignettes from his boyhood in 1970s Bulgaria. Stephens is... Read More

George Smiley, the quiet spy with a paunch and an adulterous spouse, is voiced affably by Simon Vance. His friendly approach belies Smiley's steel trap of a mind and reluctance to resort to violence. Vance's mastery of British Isles accents, especially his upper-class inflections, also contributes to le Carré's vivid storytelling. This novel, first published in 1961, is... Read More

Simon Vance's finely calibrated narration makes this little-known George Smiley novel of special interest. Here le Carré tries his hand at a spy-free English mystery triggered when a faculty wife at the elite Carne School writes a panicky letter to Ailsa Brimley claiming her husband is planning to kill her. Miss Brimley asks her old war-time colleague Smiley for advice. Smiley... Read More

EJ Lavery brings to life or, rather, death this danse macabre of a tale. Chapters are framed by the 10 stages of grief and follow former wild-child rock star Mal Caldera as she processes her afterlife and what got her there. Even though it's safer for everyone if she stays among the thriving ghost community, she can't help trying to reach out to her sister, Cris, or getting a... Read More

Penelope Rawlins's magnetic performance draws listeners into Tonya Mitchell's gothic thriller. Constance Sullivan is charged with poisoning her husband, a known arsenic eater. Everyone believes she's guilty. At her trial, evidence piles up, and she's shocked when those she trusts lie and testify against her. Revealing the dark side of her marriage only adds fuel to the flames.... Read More

Adjoa Andoh's remarkable skills of characterization and pacing are on full display in this reissue of le Carré's novel of espionage and manipulation in the Middle East. When a naïve English actress, Charlie, agrees to work undercover for an Israeli spy to identify a Palestinian terrorist, she is co-opted by morally ambiguous people on both sides. Andoh gives Charlie a light,... Read More

After years of narrating novels by Alex Finlay, Stephen Hunter, and Don Winslow, narrator Jon Lindstrom has decided to craft his own thriller, one that highlights his flinty, resonant voice and draws from his years of Hollywood acting experience. The result is an entertaining, often violent, addition to the L.A. noir genre. The plot is familiar--a washed-up B-List former star,... Read More

Catherine Ho narrates the first book in the Magical Fortune Cookie series. Felicity Jin wants to create delicious pastries like her mother; she decides her specialty will be scrumptious fortune cookies. When a very specific fortune she writes leads to a customer's death behind her bakery, she is accused of murder, and she and a friend must clear her name. Ho navigates listeners... Read More

Narrators Austenne Grey and Neill Thorne delight listeners with this heartfelt small-town romance. Down-on-her-luck Wren Daniels is holding a charity auction to raise money, so she can renovate a cabin she technically can't afford. The only thing that lifts her spirits is the new friend she's made on an anonymous dating app--until she finds out the friend is the grumpy single... Read More

Mara Wilson gives a charming, thoughtful performance of this contemporary novel. The summer after her college graduation, Isabel is house-sitting and wondering what to do with her life. When she discovers a family of skunks living in the bushes, a tiny world opens up before her. Switching back and forth between Isabel's and the skunks' points of view, this novel delightfully... Read More

Narrator Kurt Kanazawa nimbly delivers the melodic Hawaiian words and names that are central to this police procedural. Detective Kawika Wong leads the hunt for a serial killer who leaves victims in a beautiful Honolulu park. Wong has a gut feeling that the case isn't what it seems. Kanazawa's voice sounds a bit youthful for the veteran officer, but he does well delivering the... Read More

This audiobook, narrated by Zura Johnson and Zachary Johnson, is a captivating fantasy romance. A human servant named Lieke is forced into a fake engagement with Prince Connor after she accidentally kills a fae noble. Because the story is set in a war-torn world, they must navigate political tensions and personal desires in addition to their deceptive alliance. The slow-burn... Read More

Narrator Traci Odom's use of folksy accents perfectly sets the scene for this horror audiobook. Kate's Aunt Ellen disappeared without a trace decades ago in the midst of completing her college thesis. Ellen's longtime friend, Judith, approaches Kate with evidence that an unsolved murder in rural Cinderwich, Tennessee, might be their Ellen. Reticent townsfolk and strange... Read More

Christian Barillas beautifully narrates this touching yet tragic story of queer first love. Daniel De La Luna begins his freshman college year feeling like an outsider. Upon meeting his handsome new roommate, Sam Morris, Daniel cannot deny his feelings for the gentle young man. As the year progresses, it becomes clear that Sam reciprocates Daniel's love, care, and passion. When... Read More

Tanya Eby returns for the third audiobook in the Pies Before Guys mystery series, featuring Daisy, a beloved baker. Many think Daisy's pies are magical--not realizing they literally are. Daisy's magic does more than make people feel good: It makes her pie business thrive and allows her to help women in domestic abuse situations. When her newest client goes missing, Daisy... Read More

Together, narrators Andi Arndt and Teddy Hamilton are a potent duo. Billie is the sole survivor of the Midwest Butcher, a vicious serial killer who murdered her family. At the studio where she is being interviewed, Billie has a chance encounter with Brett, a star football player. Their ensuing relationship provides a catalyst for their respective struggles with strife and... Read More

June Angela performs this audiobook featuring an unnamed narrator who is caring for her mother in California. When the Covid pandemic hits, our protagonist finds herself stuck in the U.S.--far away from her family in Hong Kong. She meets a man known as "The Tree Doctor," who says he may be able to fix her mother's ailing trees. Soon our protagonist finds herself entangled in an... Read More

Chanté McCormick and Torian Brackett narrate this collection, dividing the stories between them. The intensely emotional audiobook focuses on the experiences of immigrant and first-generation Americans in Newark, New Jersey, and all kinds of relationships. McCormick takes a gentle tone in her performances, subtly developing diverse character voices and going all-out on the... Read More

Narrator Carly Robins returns listeners to the small town of Sweetbriar Ridge and the romance between kindergarten teacher Chloe Donovan and former champion skier Tanner Westyn. Due to the growth of the town, Tanner is hired to be an additional kindergarten teacher. He is determined to be teacher of the year, an award that has been Chloe's for two years running. Robins... Read More

Narrators Scarlett Everdeen and Nick Mondelli charm listeners with this heartfelt romance. Nick Sorensen was the fastest guy in hockey until a heartbreaking plane crash took the lives of his best friends, leaving him the only survivor. While he's finally physically ready to hit the ice again, his coach is concerned about his mental health and his empty apartment. When Nick... Read More

Fans of Tiffany Haddish will delight in her memoir, which she narrates with unapologetic authenticity. Those familiar with her signature blend of sass and sincerity will enjoy every line as she brings her story to life in vivid detail. Each anecdote, even the painful ones, are told with her infectious energy and unflagging sense of humor. Listeners will likely laugh along--and... Read More

M.R. O'Connor recalls her surprise when first hearing about controlled burns while visiting Australia, although there isn't much surprise in her voice as she narrates. The Brooklyn journalist got firsthand experience with the prescribed fires that help revitalize forests, joining crews around the U.S. Her narration is a bit rough, and listeners might get bogged down in the... Read More

Narrator Carly Robbins draws the listener into the romance that develops between hairstylist Ashlynn and firefighter Reid in the small town of Sweetbriar Ridge. They knew each other in school and reconnect when Reid returns to town. Ashlynn has been fired from her job. When her former salon burns to the ground, her relationship with Reid becomes complicated, and she is accused... Read More

Johnny Heller and Jo Anna Perrin successfully navigate the challenge of narrating an extensive oral history, creating a fascinating journey through the evolution and demise of THE VILLAGE VOICE. Even if listeners have never read the weekly news and culture publication from Greenwich Village, they've definitely felt its influence. Contributing writers embraced the arts and pop... Read More

Pop singer Boy George narrates his memoir in an honest, casual tone, creating the feeling that a good friend is confiding in you. Fans of his music will be intrigued by his direct everyday persona as he recounts a riveting journey through his life. With his trademark wit and candor, he takes listeners on a roller-coaster ride through the highs and lows of fame, addiction, and... Read More

Hanne Rickert and Amin El Gamal paint a vivid and haunting portrait of life in Gaza in this collection of short stories. Their voices, rich with emotion and nuance, invite listeners to empathize with the struggles and triumphs of the people who call Gaza home. Together, Rickert and El Gamal weave a tapestry of resilience, heartache, and hope in the face of adversity. From... Read More

David Lee Huynh narrates a wild and entertaining fantasy inspired by Thai mythology. Ex, the youngest member of the illustrious Phi Hunters Order, seeks to prove himself with a near impossible task: slaying the demon of nightmares, Shar-Ala. His plans go awry when he's forced to escort a pregnant runaway through a dangerous forest filled with spirits, demons, and assassins.... Read More

André Santana narrates this Brazilian import translated from Portuguese. The narrative switches from the present day, when elderly Raimundo is learning to read, to his past, when as a young, gay man he experienced homophobic violence from his father. As the story unfolds, the cycle of queer trauma in Raimundo's family is made clear. Unfortunately, Raimundo's trauma and... Read More

Author Natalia Sylvester narrates her story in a warm and joyful tone. Abuela travels from South America to the U.S. to visit her family. Her granddaughter, Dulce, is fascinated by everything Abuela has brought in her suitcase (maleta), including treats and presents. Dulce relishes her time with Abuela and when Abuela has to go home, Dulce makes sure Abuela has treasures for... Read More

Jon Fosse, the Norwegian Nobelist, writes in an interestingly elliptical style. His phrases and sentences loop around, repeating and echoing themselves, much the way many people think--and, in this audiobook, the way the protagonist avoids thinking about certain subjects that are too complicated and too painful for him to process neatly. The story is set in a coastal Norwegian... Read More

Rooke Kingston and Keval Shah narrate this emotional roommates-to-lovers romance. Jasmine Allen has never believed in love. Nonetheless, her life was wonderful until an unfortunate plumbing accident in her flat left her homeless. There is only one person she can turn to, her best friend from college, Rahul Khan. Rahul has always had secret feelings for Jasmine but knows she is... Read More

Narrators Zara Hampton-Brown and Alex Moorcock return for the sixth audiobook in the Dark Olympus series. Hampton-Brown voices Eurydice in a high, youthful voice that reflects her reputation as the most naïve person in her family. Frustrated and more than ready to move on from her ex-boyfriend, Orpheus, she begins a steamy romance with Charon. Moorcock's deep, commanding voice... Read More

The British science and health journalist puts together a wonderfully organized and helpful guide to understanding and managing our energy. Surveying the research on how our physical, emotional, and mental energy work together, she explains how all kinds of exertion are impacted by rest, diet, sleep, and the thinking or mood we adopt when working. The personal tone of her... Read More

Katherine Littrell portrays Theodosia, who gives up her law studies in Australia and goes to stay with her brother, Gus, in Kansas to pursue her dream of becoming a writer. When she finds the body of a famous writer who had befriended her in a coffee shop, she and Gus find their world turned upside down. They're drawn into a world of preppers, conspiracy theorists, and book... Read More

Sasha LaPointe, a poet and performer, delivers her edgy essays with a pleasing voice and a sure sense of the significance of her message. She reads in a word-loving style with the tempo of one who appreciates the meanings her words convey. A Coast Salish woman, she was raised on a reservation in the Pacific Northwest, knows the stresses of growing up a Native girl, and... Read More

Narrator Hillary Huber fully immerses listeners in this suspenseful second-chance romance. Hailey and Jesse grew up together as kids and fell in love when they were teenagers. When Jesse had the opportunity to go to college and start fresh, Hailey ended their relationship. Now all grown up, Hailey runs a new branch of a security company. She and Jesse reconnect when one of... Read More

Workplace enemies fall in love in this stand-alone contemporary romance, the third in the Paper Cuts series, narrated by Fiona Aarington and Nick Mondelli, who also narrated the series' previous two audiobooks. Tenley and Brooks are competing to become their law firm's next partner. Forced to work together on a case, each realizes that the other is the stranger they've been... Read More

This complex audiobook revolves around Marianne, a textile historian, who is called to the Fondazione Museo Menegatti in post-WWII Verona, Italy, to certify the age of three perfectly preserved Victorian dresses that once belonged to poet Christina Rosetti. In alternating chapters, Marianne's attempts to discover more about the dresses are met with threats and violence, while... Read More

Set in 1959, this beautifully written coming-of-age story about 10-year-old Lucas Ross, who lives in Montana, is affectionately narrated by Pete Cross. Cross's plain delivery and sincere tone allow listeners to step into Lucas's shoes as he discovers the joys and revelations of adolescence. When a car crash causes the death of a teenager, Cross voices Lucas's uncertainty about... Read More

Mhairi Morrison narrates a charming and passionate historical romance. Ten years ago, Winnifred Wallace invented a husband named Spencer Halifax and forged a document in order to secure a safe future. Now it turns out her imaginary man is not only real, he is intent on legally disentangling himself from her. Morrison imbues Winnie with courage and determination, showing just... Read More

Mhairi Morrison narrates a heartfelt historical romance dealing with consent and agency. Matilda Halifax is tired of being half of the notorious Halifax Hellions. She's well aware of how society judges her. When she accidentally embarrasses the Marquess of Ashford by selling the woman's erotic illustrations, Matilda is determined to make amends. Morrison's portrayal of Matilda... Read More

Narrators Renee Thorn and Ryan Stone take listeners into the secret society of the Oakmont Elite in this dark collegiate romance. Maybell Jacobs is a quiet and awkward wallflower until she has a chance encounter with the intimidating, rich Drew Marshall. For an opportunity to win some much-needed money, Maybell agrees to take part in a wicked tradition, The Hunt, in which she... Read More

In this delightful romantic comedy, Katelyn Levering and Nick Mondelli team up to narrate the story of Gillian and Noah. Gillian, the town pharmacist, finds solace in gardening, much to the chagrin of her nosy elderly neighbors, who believe she should focus on dating. Noah is a recent transplant who moves across the country after a tough breakup and buys the home next to... Read More

Xe Sands narrates this meditative collection of essays on life and preserving our threatened planet. Provocative yet tender, each free- flowing essay provides a glimpse of Millet's interconnected world. Personal anecdotes are juxtaposed with deep pondering about humanity's role in climate change. Expertly pairing animal facts with thoughtful observations of the human world,... Read More

Pete Cross provides a suitably lighthearted narration for this quirky, twisty, high-flying murder mystery set in a circus called Mysterium. This second installment in the Hayden and Friends mystery series follows a pint-sized gay middle-school teacher, Hayden, and his best friend, Hollister, as they seek the culprit in the murder of one of the circus performers. Although... Read More

Jon Fosse, who won the Nobel Prize in Literature in 2023, has not reached a large audience in English, perhaps because of his Scandinavian tendency toward dark introspection. The relatively short opening section of this audiobook covers the birth of Johannes, a moment of hope and pride for his father, but the rest involves his death many years later. Listeners get hints of what... Read More

Imagine being on a blind date at a basketball game--and the "kiss cam" comes around. Narrator Justis Bolding captures Nora's discomfort when she realizes she's being put on the spot. This is a story with more depth than the title would suggest. Nora and romantic lead Duke meet at the basketball game, then go their separate ways for a few years when Nora moves to a new state.... Read More

Bert Seymour and Clare Corbett narrate this delightful historical fantasy, set in the mid-eighteenth century. Abel, a London watchmaker who creates fabulous automata, has disappeared. His son, Zachary, endowed with second sight, is being raised by his eccentric Aunt Franny. Many years later, Zachary sets off to rescue him from a sultan in Constantinople. Seymour, the primary... Read More

An ensemble of narrators delivers this collection of 16 classic stories, poems, fairy tales, and myths reimagined with a Latinx spin and frequent genre bending, mostly into sci-fi and fantasy. Each short story utilizes one or more narrators who mostly fit the gender identity of the main character. Each narrator fully commits to their story, emotionally connecting with teens who... Read More

André Santana artfully re-creates Brazil in the 1920s as he introduces capoeira, a blend of martial arts, dance, acrobatics, music, and spirituality. Listeners meet Salvador Bimba, who advocated for capoeira. Santana enthusiastically delivers lyrical descriptions accompanied by spirited background music, with Indigenous and Portuguese words adding atmosphere. Heartbreaking... Read More

The author, Maressa Brown, narrates this astrology guide to infants and toddlers using gender-neutral terms, inclusive words for alternative families, and a focus on early childhood development. Quick yet thorough sections cover how astrology works; traits and parenting tips for babies, based on their charts; and parent-child relationship info based on astrological signs.... Read More

Mollie Stark and Sebastian Grove narrate the first in a new fantasy romance series. With only three years until she meets her fated death at age 27, Althea knows time is running out to make her dream of becoming a warrior true--especially when women in her world aren't allowed to hold weapons. Then, an encounter with warrior Wilder Hawthorne provides the opportunity she's... Read More

Narrator Jennifer Sun Bell deftly portrays a believable grieving family through the voice of seventh grader Freya June Sun. Bell's brisk pacing matches the short, active chapters recounting the events that take place after the recent death of Freya's father. Freya, a talented violist, adheres strictly to her father's Chinese superstitions and is constantly seeking signs or... Read More

Inspired by a true event--the 1911 murder of muckraking writer David Graham Phillips--this well-researched mystery casts author Edith Wharton as a reluctant detective probing the death and life of a man she abhorred. Kitty Hendrix performs in a low-register breathy voice that emphasizes Wharton's mix of high-society manners and fierce determination. Her moderate pace allows... Read More

While narrator Jennifer Pickens wrings all the passion she can out of this novelized life of Henry David Thoreau, the audiobook keeps its focus firmly on Thoreau's inner world, especially his relationship with nature. Although that relationship is active, it is not dramatic. Thoreau may have been thrilled to discover a climbing fern, but few listeners will share his excitement.... Read More

Andi Arndt narrates a peculiar and poignant coming-of-age story. Born the same day VOYAGER 1 was launched in 1977, Adina Giorno has always felt different from those around her. Could she be an alien sent to observe life on earth? Arndt's detached tone deftly manages the balancing act required of an omniscient narrator who is sympathetic to Adina's plight while merely an... Read More

Mara Wilson does a wonderful job narrating the complex and sweeping story of Shiva Margolin, a young queer woman who finds herself mired in generations of family secrets and pain. Full of Jewish folklore, with flashes back to eighteenth-century Ropshitz, Poland, then known as the City of Laughter, this story could potentially be confusing for the listener. Using tone,... Read More

Narrator Amy McFadden enlivens the romance that develops between dancer Lily Montgomery and Noah Wylder, a financier who works for her family's firm. Lily has returned home to recover from an injury only to find that most of her family is on vacation, leaving her to stay with her grandfather. Noah and Lily shared a kiss in the past, and sparks fly again. Because Lily is... Read More

Will Watt expertly performs the second in the Spires series. A re-release of a previously published book, this audiobook includes additional stories and background materials featuring Edwin; his ex, Marius; and their new loves. As a flood hits his Oxford neighborhood, Edwin meets Adam, the ginger civil engineer who is trying to lessen the impending damage on the community.... Read More

Published in 2006, this audiobook is performed with verve and nuance by Piper Goodeve. Her light intonation and high pitch are perfect for her portrayal of sharp-witted 16-year-old Frederica. She lives with her professor parents--Aviva and David--in a small New England college dormitory in the 1970s. Her parents are the resident houseparents. The arrival of flamboyant Laura... Read More

British performance artist and writer Travis Alabanza narrates their own expansive exploration of race, gender, and trans identity. Throughout this engaging production, they reject the expectation of a tidy response to the "When did you know . . . " question and the demands to perform according to narrowly defined gender parameters. Alabanza shares their experiences growing up... Read More

Mhairi Morrison narrates a sweet yet decidedly spicy historical romance. Delighted at being half of the notorious Halifax Hellions, Margo Halifax is unwilling to see how her shocking reputation could limit her. Buttoned-up Henry Mortimer has loved Margo for years, precisely because of her impetuosity but has never spoken of his feelings. Morrison's narration captures both... Read More

Narrator Eunice Wong captures the beauty and pain of this magical coming-of-age story set on a Canadian island. Listeners meet 11-year-old Ava, who has been sent to her grandparents while her mother experiences a difficult pregnancy. Wong's sweet, sensitive Ava is worried despite her loving grandparents and the gorgeous setting of the island, replete with deer, birds, and water... Read More

As the voice of Mona, Ellie Moon performs appropriately. A young playwright, Mona should be an engaging character, but we don't hear much about her creative process. Rather, she struggles with family, friends, and herself throughout the novel. The simple structure of the story and the journalistic style of the prose are distracting in the audiobook format. Multiple narrators... Read More

Pete Cross uses an arch tone and deliberate pacing to deliver this dark satire of contemporary life. Office drone Melvin Levin's existence is flat as a pancake until he receives an anonymous and seemingly unmotivated death threat in the mail. The threat breaks the spell of his drone life and pushes him into a frenzy of paranoia and frustration, but for the first time in a long... Read More

Vaneh Assadourian delivers this novel about a dysfunctional Armenian American family in a knowing style and understanding tone. She adroitly captures the clipped angry tone of the indomitable harridan Takouhi, matriarch and mother of three daughters. Author Zilelian presents the three daughters' struggles. Kohar, the eldest, had trouble with fertility; Lucine's husband takes... Read More

George Newbern narrates Elinor Lipman's entertaining comedy with zest and an appreciation of its mix of improbability and realism. The blend of screwball and social humor focuses on Henry, a sympathetic retired lawyer who came out as gay late in life. His comfortable life on New York's Upper West Side is upended by a needy ex-wife, a handsome home design expert who lives with a... Read More

Dalia Ramahi narrates this companion to Aya Khalil's picture book THE ARABIC QUILT. Egyptian American Kanzi walks proudly past her quilt as she leads her classmates to the library. But the display of diverse books there is now empty: They've been banned. Ramahi captures the dismay of both children and educators, with plaintive music underscoring their shock. Back in the... Read More

Scintillating poetry from Sappho and examinations of Pythagoras's and Homer's lives and ideas are just some of the material that makes up this fascinating audiobook. Narrator Leighton Pugh introduces the literature, art, and thinking of these and other early Greeks. He connects their lives and theories with those of some of our Western thinkers whose own philosophies are rooted... Read More

Janina Edwards returns to narrate the third installment in the Spice Isle Bakery mysteries, voicing bakery co-owner Lyndsay and a variety of other characters. Deftly delivering various accents, inflections, and pitches, Edwards leads listeners through a cozy story of murder at Brooklyn's Caribbean American Heritage Festival. Her entertaining narration provides ample emotional... Read More

Pete Cross presents this deeply reported and thoroughly researched audiobook with the seriousness it merits. His well-paced narration captures the author's passion for migrants and thorough critique of the governments, corporations, and media that demonize them. He maintains a journalistic tone as the text traverses the globe, sharing the stories of those who have experienced... Read More

The chemistry between narrators Tyla Collier and Benjamin Charles is unmistakable in their compelling performance. Kayla is finally living her dream of becoming a rock star, but amid the glow of fame comes an unexpectedly public lifestyle. This and her budding romance with her tour bus driver, Ty, are making her life complicated but exciting. The unique romantic setup and the... Read More

Piper Goodeve is excellent as Natalie Marx, the young Jewish girl who narrates this upbeat, humorous audiobook. Hoping to book a stay at the Inn at Lake Devine, the Marxes are rebuffed by proprietor Ingrid Berry, who tells them that all their guests are Gentiles. Natalie snags an invitation from a non-Jewish friend, Robin Fife, and spends the summer of 1960 at the inn with the... Read More

Eve Schaub chronicles her family's ambitious undertaking to eliminate household waste for a year, which was made even more difficult by the Covid pandemic. Hillary Huber's tone of bemused humor matches the author's witty rendition of the many sacrifices her family made on their improbable journey to zero waste. The family sought out alternatives to many common products and... Read More

The author struck up a friendship with champion bowler Dot Wilkinson, and the resulting conversations turned into this biography of one of our nation's greatest female athletes. Wilkinson excelled at softball, playing for decades while also becoming an accomplished bowler. There's a down-to-earth quality about Wilkinson that comes across in Stephanie Németh-Parker's narration.... Read More

Emma Love beautifully delivers the essence of this story. In 1922, Ruby, an heiress, is sent to Lothel Green to deliver a trunk of magical books to Ruan, who has a gift for healing. While there, Ruby visits her old friend, Tamsyn, who has married Sir Chenowyth of Penryth Hall. Overnight, Chenowyth is found dead in the orchard, and locals believe the cause was a curse. Tamsyn is... Read More

Sarah Lohman is a surprisingly effective narrator of her thoughtful audiobook. She narrates with a pointed reportorial style and measured cadence that suit this text on vanishing foods. She does Native accents impressively in sections on the Navajo (Diné) and Choctaw people. And she's an active participant in the journey to test and taste foods identified by the Ark of Taste,... Read More

When a nice Midwestern mom loses pound after pound, devours carrot sticks, shuns Fritos, and quits baking cookies for her four sons, it could be a sign of impending disaster. Narrator Emily Ellet introduces listeners to Jackie, who revels in her new thin, seductive body. Ellet's Jackie has an earthy, insouciant personality. The story is about two next-door families who are... Read More

This fantasy romance narrated by Gomez Pugh and Lola James features Valente Correa, a Magi who delivers toys for the House of Correa. When he's assigned to escort his brother's intended bride, Kessina Macias, through the Andes, their journey takes an unforeseen and passionate turn. Pugh's narration captures Val's complexity, deftly conveying his brooding nature and intense... Read More

This performance by Abigail Reno will charm fans of small-town romances. Her narration offers two stories and is a great fit for this slower-paced novella. In one story, Mercy spends her summer serving a church in West Texas, where she meets a rugged cantina owner named Hunter. In the other story, Jasmine finds solace in a mysterious drifter named Flint. While the dynamics in... Read More

Gail Shalan's expert narration vividly brings to life a group of affluent suburban couples whose dinner party is abruptly derailed by a shelter-in-place order caused by a lethal airborne pathogen. Shalan shines as she crafts authentic male and female characters, each with a distinct, nuanced personality. Her portrayal of the notably unlikable Britta is both engaging and... Read More

Christopher Lee narrates this short picture book filled with Lunar New Year traditions. Gege has secretly made a present for his little sister, but there are so many activities to celebrate that he can't find the right time to surprise her. Lee performs the story with the exaggerated emotions appropriate to children's storytelling. He leaves pauses at the end of sentences,... Read More

Cloud Quinn gives a beguiling performance of this queer and atmospheric ode to Jane Austen. Bron is queer, gender fluid, lonely, and obsessed with Austen, Brontë, and other nineteenth-century British authors. After he's rejected from Oxford, he takes a job as a governess for Ada, a spirited girl who lives in a massive manor house. Soon he's knee deep in the family's secrets and... Read More

Emana Rachelle narrates this child's-eye view of a walk (to the polls) with Granny. While acoustic guitar music plays, Rachelle cheerfully delivers a young Black girl's patter and questions as she tries to guess their destination. Granny's responses sound kind and playful. She cryptically tells the girl that they're gathering "treasured souls." Neighborhood noises add context... Read More

This diverse collection of stories explores Lebanese American life in the community of Dearborn, Michigan. Sarab Kamoo and Qarie Marshall trade off delivering narratives that offer insights into the lives of a variety of characters of different ages and genders. From Yousef, a fun-loving boy who loves acting, to women who help each other through domestic violence, the... Read More

Young listeners enchanted by the holiday magic of DASHER will be delighted with this audiobook sequel, narrated once again by Laural Merlington. Impatient for the arrival of the night before Christmas, reindeer Dasher secretly flies off to experience the sounds and lights of holiday celebrations. But when a snowstorm delays her return, she must rely on a child’s unique gift to... Read More

Katherine Littrell skillfully narrates a love-triangle romance set in New York City. Littrell ably navigates the multiple storylines and jumps in time periods. Thirty-something Maggie, portrayed by Littrell in a subtly determined tone, is an aspiring singer-songwriter. She finds herself in a unique predicament when two former loves come back into her life for her 35th birthday.... Read More

Kim Bretton and Emma Fenney team up in this "fake dating" holiday-romance-turned-sapphic love story. The narrators alternate chapters told from the points of view of Bretton's warm, sensitive Margot and Fenney's passionate, impulsive Ellie. Freshly separated from her emotionally abusive girlfriend, Margot agrees to pose as the fake girlfriend of one of her big marketing clients... Read More

Hillary Huber delivers a delightfully creepy rendition of this graphic, fast-paced horror story about pregnancy and infertility. Anna Alcott is a famous actress who's been going through IVF treatments and finally becomes pregnant. Unexplained odd things start happening: Anna's appointments get switched, her medicines go missing, and she receives strange messages. Things get... Read More

This memoir by the distinguished historian and past president of Harvard is ably narrated by the author, though at times her voice lacks the variation that a professional might bring. The result is a somber review of an unhappy youth spent rebelling against staid conventions of womanhood and whiteness. Covering the period from her childhood in the 1950s to her college... Read More

Clara Harte is perfect as she narrates this beautifully written timely novel about connections, transitions, and authenticity. Phoebe Ford is starting a new life as a trans woman in Copenhagen. Originally from Ireland, she is reinventing herself but leads a relatively solitary life. Harte infuses Phoebe with wit, humor, and compassion in this story told over a long weekend.... Read More

Narrator Pippa Jayne delights listeners in this festive friends-to-lovers romantic comedy. Stella Bloom desperately wants to save her family's Christmas tree farm, which she has loved since childhood. To win a cash prize from a contest, she asks her best friend, Luka Peters, to fake date her to make Lovelight Farms seem like the ultimate romantic destination for the holidays.... Read More

Mia Hutchinson-Shaw and Pete Cross narrate a festive gay update of a holiday classic. Bailey George wants to change her life and leave her hometown but feels stuck. With the unexpected assistance of fabulous drag queens from the House of Angel, Bailey just might get her wish granted. Bailey's ambivalence and frustration are captured by Hutchinson-Shaw: Everyone she loves lives... Read More

Narrator Carly Robins brings life to the romance between bookstore owner Jade Mackenzie and advertising expert Levi Donovan in the small town of Sweetbriar Ridge. Levi has been forced to return home after being fired from his job in Alexandria just as Jade is opening her new bookstore/coffee shop. Levi's sister is working for Jade as a baker. Obstacles keep getting in Jade's... Read More

With a mixture of spunk and quirkiness, narrator Cara Swingline brings Fran and Ken Stein to life in this lighthearted mystery series. Working as private investigators who help clients find their birth parents, the siblings search for a missing ukulele that could lead to a client's father. The deep, throaty voice Swingline gives to Ken unintentionally makes him sound obtuse.... Read More

Three talented narrators transport listeners from the 14th to the 21st century as Jones's novel reveals the struggles of women to be seen and heard throughout history. Elisabeth Lagelée, the voice of Beatrice, speaks with intelligence and determination as Beatrice struggles to achieve her artistic dreams in the face of society's limited expectations. Mia Barron brings the... Read More

Emily Woo Zeller's fierce narration perfectly suits this sweeping fantasy retelling of the Chinese classic "Water Margin." Lin Chong is a highly respected arms instructor for the Emperor's soldiers despite her gender. She's unwilling to challenge the sexism and corruption around her, but when her entire life and career are suddenly ripped away, she is recruited by the Bandits... Read More

Marisa Blake tells the story of Vlad, a vampire who covers up his rosy cheeks for fear of not being accepted by the other vampires, who revel in their pallor. With even pacing and great enthusiasm, Blake captures Vlad's tumultuous feelings as he uses his fashion skills to mask his secret. Ultimately, with the support of a friend, he finds self-acceptance. Dramatic music tying... Read More

Will Watt's delightful performance amplifies the holiday magic in this contemporary workplace romance. Splashes and Snuggles store manager Sam Becker sustains a concussion and fakes amnesia after his frosty boss, Jonathan Forest, fires him and his entire underperforming staff. What ensues is a heartwarming journey for both men, full of snarky banter and free-flowing humor, as... Read More

This audiobook is an exciting, well-crafted fictional autobiography of Matthew Scudder, one of Lawrence Block's most memorable characters. Detective Scudder has thrived through 20 novels, and this novel provides more satisfying stories. With the team of Peter Berkrot, Romy Nordlinger, and Block at the microphone, the audiobook does not disappoint. The focus is on Detective... Read More

Devon Sorvari narrates a fantasy with romantic elements. Aya is the Queen's Eyes, her spymaster and third in command. Will, Aya's rival, is the Queen's Enforcer and second in command. When the kingdom is threatened, Aya and Will must set aside their differences and work together to save it. At times, Sorvari's sometimes flat and unemotional delivery coupled with a very... Read More

Narrator Jennifer Jill Araya lifts this debut thriller to a higher level with her excellent performance. Her pacing is great, her ability to differentiate characters is top-notch, and she can hit some pretty deep notes when portraying men. The story is told from the point of view of New York City EMT Tina Evans, who gets a panicked middle-of-the-night call from her junkie... Read More

Martyn Swain narrates a delightfully gothic-tinged romance between an earl and his secretary. Rufus d'Aumesty has unexpectedly become Earl of Oxney, much to the dismay of his relatives. Luke Doomsday joins the household as Rufus's secretary but has his own motives for being there. While Rufus appears to be a straightforward former military man, Swain expertly teases out his... Read More

If listeners are initially disoriented by this audio, it's because the title is deceptive: It's as much a memoir as it is maritime history. This split personality is emphasized by the narration of Lynch Travis, who is much more comfortable with the personal elements of the story. Author Sullivan and a friend embark in a kayak on a perilous journey over the Columbia River Bar,... Read More

Narrator Carly Robins delivers on the cozy charm of Aguirre's roommate romance. When Iris inherits a purple Victorian house in St. Claire, Illinois, it's a fresh start, far away from her judgmental, magical family. Robins chronicles Iris's search for roommates, creating unique voices for crotchety Henry Dale, garrulous Sally, youthful Rowan, and considerate Eli, who knew Iris... Read More

Narrator Ingrid Greene plunges listeners into a Southern world of wealth, horse racing, and power. Maddy is taken in by a woman claiming to be her late mother's best friend after her father and brother mysteriously die in a car crash. Through her relationship with her mother's friend, Maddy meets Blaise Hughes, whose family owns the largest racehorse establishment in the South.... Read More

With his deep, gentle voice and careful pacing, Nick Mondelli delivers this coming-of-age horror story. A boy leads a pleasant life with his parents and dog until the day his estranged grandfather arrives. Listeners can hear the boy's parents' anxiety, but they're unwilling to say why. The grandfather's intense clipped voice and sinister smile create palpable tension. As the... Read More

Like his writing, Caleb Azumah Nelson's narration employs a musical cadence. This story is about a young first-generation Black Englishman whose parents are from Ghana. He navigates coming into his own through a variety of experiences. Nelson's voice is steady and consistent. He employs a poetic structure in each line. The descriptions of his relationships, whether it is the... Read More

Mark Sanderlin narrates this quirky time-travel romance in a charming voice. Nolan jumps at the opportunity to do a last minute gig at a famous comedy venue, abandoning his crush and best friend, Drew, and missing his sister's wedding. After disappointing everyone, he wishes on magic crystals to skip to the good parts of his life. The next morning, it's seven years later, and... Read More

Narrators Michelle Price and Paul Bellantoni take listeners to the quaint mountain town of Galway, North Carolina. There Rose Barnes is hoping to start fresh and build the house of her dreams--that is, until she hires a burly, grumpy contractor named Angus Drummond. Little does Rose know that Angus's scowling demeanor is due to his attraction to her kindhearted soul. As the two... Read More

Stephanie Willing ably performs this locked-room mystery set on a Hudson River estate in 1950s New York. Private investigator Viviana Valentine and her boss/partner Tommy Fortuna investigate strange nocturnal noises in the mansion of blue-blood scientist Buster Beacon. Willing imbues Viviana with a stereotypical working-class New York accent and puts bravado in Italian-American... Read More

This high-fantasy audiobook combines paranormal and romance elements with intense action and a unique system of magic. Gaige, portrayed by Nick Mondelli, is a former Charmer turned immortal assassin. He grapples with haunting memories and a longing for his lost powers while facing a looming threat. Mondelli's captivating performance captures Gaige's depth and emotional journey,... Read More

Narrator Marni Penning shows off her acting skills in this convoluted murder mystery set at Astwell Palace in 1784. When clever, curious 40-year-old Miss Tiffany Woodall discovers her half-brother Uriah's dead body, she dons his clothes, and identity as castle librarian to forestall the loss of her cottage. With a second, then a third poisoning, Tiffany and Constable Samir... Read More

Listeners will know from the start of Hillary Huber's performance that Petal Woznewski is a smarty-pants. Huber brings a slightly sardonic tone to her narration that reflects the tough, closed-off Petal well. Petal's had a tough life. Now an anonymous writer has made the death of Petal's old friend the basis for the plot of her latest thriller. The book--which is too close to... Read More

Narrator Carly Robins returns the listener to the boisterous Donovan clan. Marissa Barrett finds herself in a dangerous situation with her brother. So her boss, Patrick Donovan, proposes a marriage of convenience to protect her and to get his matchmaking mother off his back. Robins brings out the frustrations of both characters with their respective situations. Patrick comes... Read More

As whispers about the dead abound in a 1920s speakeasy at the start of this audiobook, Sara Young's narration adds to listeners' curiosity. Vivian Kelly, a dancer at the illegal club, begins looking into the death of her friend's uncle, a former customer, with the help of Leo, a shady guy who is also associated with the club. The uncle's death was reported to be a suicide--but... Read More

Priya Ayyar's youthful voice delivers this punny romance, in which Ireland's best young chefs compete in the first-ever Junior Irish Baking Show. Ayyar's talent for accents conveys Shireen's parents' Bangladeshi lilt, as well as the Irish accents of judges and competitors. Shireen hopes to win the prize money and gain attention for her parents' donut shop, but she'll have to... Read More

Fairuza Balk expertly differentiates the characters in this retelling of a mysterious Tyrolean folktale. From the beginning, Balk captures Otilla’s youth and curiosity. Her courage becomes clear when she meets the other character in this story, a skull. Balk’s noble tone and accent fit him, and the way she expresses his approachability transforms a typically scary icon into a... Read More

Katherine Littrell gives an operatic and beautifully detailed performance of this gorgeous debut. Told in four distinct sections, it follows four generations of one family from 1910 through 2015. Through complicated specific characters, Wolfgang-Smith explores themes of inheritance, silence, trauma, and queerness, tracking what gets passed down between parents and children and... Read More

Jeff Harding narrates an unusual contemplation on the nature of time and memory as a clinic lets Alzheimer's patients relive their memories by decorating each floor in the style of a different decade. An unnamed assistant is tasked with time-traveling to collect the minutiae for each floor, but when the clinic becomes too real, the general public begins visiting as... Read More

Narrator Caitlin Thorburn captures the angst, poignancy, and humor in this contemporary rom-com set in Minneapolis's Modern Jewish Orthodox community. Penina, a 29-year-old jewelry saleswoman, believes she may never marry because she's infertile. While volunteering, she meets Sam, who's Jewish but doesn't practice his religion. He turns out to be her new boss. Ignoring her... Read More

British poet Amy Key narrates her memoir about love and living alone. Examining her life through Joni Mitchell's influential 1971 album, BLUE, Key relates each track from the album to a chapter in her life, finding frequent parallels between her experiences and Mitchell's. The subjects Key covers range from deeply affecting to fairly lighthearted, and while her composed... Read More

Kelli Tager and Nick Mondelli narrate a contemporary romance debut. Gracie is stuck with a bad case of writer's block and a recently quashed belief in romance. On a whim she emails her high school crush, Colin. Recently divorced, he is intrigued by Gracie's sense of humor, so the two continue writing. The stronger of the two narrators, Tager captures the hot mess that is... Read More

Tuppence Middleton transports listeners to Victorian England with her sublime narration of this story of four women and the man who may destroy them all. An unidentified woman's body, with wings attached, is pulled from the Thames. Soon after, two other winged women are found. A young scientist, desperate to make a name for himself, will capture and exploit these women, risking... Read More

Cindy Kay's expressive delivery welcomes the listener to the first installment of the Mythwoven fantasy series, in which fairy-tale and supernatural folk coexist. Hoping to save the next possible victim of the Red Shoes, which cause the wearer to dance themselves to death, vampire Bennet arrives too late. But Peeraphan is able to resist the shoes' deadly magic because she isn't... Read More

Lyndsay Murray, owner of the Spice Isle Bakery, finds herself in the middle of another murder case. This time her mother is a person of interest in the poisoning of Emily Smith, her old boss. Narrator Janina Edwards gives appealing performances of the entire Murray family as they help Lyndsay prove her mother's innocence. Edwards's silvery voice gives listeners a taste of the... Read More

Listeners will be immediately engaged by the River Run Swim Club of Virginia. The team is Gillian Cloud's family legacy, and in June 2012 she's involved in nearly all of its operations. But when her husband, Charlie, takes over as head coach, the power dynamic shifts. Hillary Huber voices Gillian with perfect pacing as she tries to maintain control. Scott Brick's portrayal of... Read More

Carrington MacDuffie impressively presents this lackluster story, reminiscent of an English manor house mystery--except this is set in North Carolina. Listeners meet troubled 30-something Cameron Clewe and retired librarian Jane Hunter. Jane is hired to catalog Clewe's massive book collection, which is heavy on mysteries. Colorful descriptions of eccentric characters and... Read More

Narrator Erin Dion gives life to crime writer and newly certified private investigator Augusta Hawke as she finds herself drawn into the machinations of Callie, the wife of a Washington lobbyist who is desperate to become an ambassador. When a well-known philanthropist dies of an apparent heart attack during a party hosted by Callie, Augusta is suspicious and sets out to... Read More

A feminist reimagining of the plight of Phaedra in this audiobook highlights the power dynamics that characterize many Greek myths. Through a series of misfortunes, Phaedra is married to Theseus. It's a loveless marriage, and she faces a bleak future. Rather than be branded a seductress, Phaedra accuses her stepson, Hippolytus, of raping her. He is convicted, but, ultimately,... Read More

For nonstop adventure, this romantic suspense fits the bill. Zena and her sister, Brooke, investigate pollution in their sleepy Australian town and end up in big trouble. After falling down a mineshaft, they call Brooke's ex-boyfriend, a veteran, for a rescue that involves gun battles, toxic waste, and underground waterfalls. Narrators Justine Eyre and Antony Davis alternate... Read More

Alison Larkin narrates this intriguing mystery set amid WWII bombings. Youthful Ellie McDonnell, a safecracking thief from a family of safecrackers and pickpockets, is best known for her skillful fingers and charming wit. For the third time, crisp-voiced, no-nonsense Major Ramsey, of British Intelligence, utilizes Ellie and her unusual skills for a mysterious mission involving... Read More

Matthew Lloyd Davies narrates this dark police procedural. DCI Adam Bishop connects the multiple murders at a crime scene to a serial killer who was active 15 years earlier but is now behind bars. As the body count rises, so does the pressure on Adam and his team. Davies's narration is perfectly matched to this twisty plot, and he creates a gruff but likable character in Adam.... Read More

This fantasy audiobook, narrated by Evelyn Rose, tells the story of Gemma Ashbourne, a young woman from a magical family who grapples with loneliness due to her lack of magical abilities. When she forms a pact with Talan d'Astier, a survivor of a cursed lineage, their attraction grows amid increasing danger. Then, Gemma discovers an untapped power within herself. Rose's... Read More

For listeners who hunger for presidential trivia or who love food or history, this book on presidents and their food will be a treat. Narrator Pat Grimes serves up heaping helpings of fun facts and delectable details about presidential favorites ranging from George Washington's squirrel stew to Donald Trump's fast food. Grimes offers a solid narration. His voice is generally... Read More

Traci Odom introduces L.A. bridal wear designer Rayne McGrath and her fiancé, Landon Short. The novel opens after a birthday celebration as a hungover Rayne learns her beloved Irish uncle has died. At the same time, Short has disappeared. Rayne must travel to Ireland for the reading of the will while her mother stays behind to find Short. Odom excels at Irish accents. Her best... Read More

This Taiwanese novella is like a musical rhapsody celebrating the wonders of the piano. Fernando Chien, an actor born in Taiwan and well known for his action roles, narrates. The story is told by a former musical prodigy who rejected the concert stage to restore ailing pianos to musical health. Chien's voice is energetic, and his presentation is straightforward and upbeat. The... Read More

Narrator Carly Robins helps listeners navigate the romance between Jamie Donovan and Fallon Murphy as they move from enemies to lovers. When Jamie is left in charge of his family's pub when his parents go on vacation, one of his past girlfriends leaves a baby on his doorstep. Even though Fallon and Jamie have always butted heads, he calls upon her to help him. Robins deftly... Read More

Nick Mondelli captures the angst of three teenagers in the 1980s who share a love of heavy metal. Kip, Leslie, and Kira--all estranged from their families or their communities--build an unbreakable bond over music and move from their small town in Florida to California. Mondelli builds tension as the group is tested and begins to falter and fracture. Desperate to save his... Read More

Narrator Pete Cross works some serious magic with his narration of this beautiful and unusual novella. It's told from the point of view of a lonely mountain lion that is living alone in the Hollywood Hills, observing humans, searching for food, and reminiscing about its childhood. Cross conveys the narrator's non-humanness with surprising pacing and unexpected pronunciations... Read More

Lesa Cline-Ransome's biography for beginning readers about Joseph-Antoine Adolphe Sax and his most famous musical invention, the saxophone, cooks with rhythm and swing as narrated with aplomb by Cary Hite. Hite's baritone is smooth, warm, and well suited to this text as he shares the origin and bumpy path to acceptance of the saxophone by musicians worldwide. The story picks up... Read More

Iranian author Dina Nayeri's perspective on truth is shaped by her refugee status in a Midwestern town and her appetite for gripping social issues. Ayesha Antoine has the sensibilities needed to narrate the author's stories and intelligent observations on how people communicate. Antoine's interpretations of these riveting anecdotes and keen insights make the author's gift for... Read More

Narrator Anthony Perez does a fine job narrating this juvenile mystery with a lot of heart. Cuban American Rafa Alvarez thought it was funny when he and his friends stole the slushy machine at school. As punishment, Rafa's dad sent him to New Mexico to work at Ranch Espanto (Ghost Ranch) with his father's old friend for a month. In Rafa's defense, home has been tense--his... Read More

Malena and Klepetan, two white storks, are used to staying together when their flock migrates between Croatia and South Africa for the summer and winter seasons. However, when Malena gets hurt, the pair must spend the winter apart, which is a new challenge for them to face. Narrator Hallie Ricardo's feminine voice is expressive, clear, and comfortably paced. Her vocalizations... Read More

Almost a century ago this groundbreaking work of science fiction introduced the world to futuristic writing concepts still in use. Through narrator Rupert Degas we hear this seminal work about the subjugation of the laborer class in order to keep monstrous machines operating to serve the upper class. Degas has a plaintive tone that underscores the horrors of this dystopian... Read More

Pete Cross brings a serious delivery to this collection of essays. He voices the intellectual curiosity, self-awareness, and irony of the author--a literary novelist and professor--with a measured and smart delivery. This very brief audiobook is by turns a recollection of high school, a memoir of time abroad, and a travel narrative of a pilgrimage to Willa Cather's home. It's... Read More

Narrator Pete Cross makes magic of his own in Anderson’s newest fantasy for middle-grade listeners. Cross imbues a teen named Clay with youthful sincerity and awe as he adopts a stray elf-hound who shows him how to cross over into a magical world of dukes and ladies, owl men, and wyrms. Cross gives each character a unique voice and energy level. Intensity ranges from the... Read More

Angie Kane's heartfelt performance eloquently captures the essence of each character in this novel about loneliness, friendship, and family. In Washington State, four lonely people from varying backgrounds unexpectedly come together through a book club. Once trust is established, they discover that friendship can take place on a deeper level than they ever anticipated. Each... Read More

Jennifer Jill Araya narrates an intricate family drama brimming with secrets and the price paid to keep them. Sisters Liz and Meredith have found that the only thing they can rely on is each other--until Liz learns Meredith has been murdered. As she grapples with the ramifications of losing her sister, she discovers a series of mysteries that not only provide a motive, but also... Read More

It's 1885 London, and the mysterious Dear Miss Hermione is on holiday. She has temporarily assigned her niece, Violet, to cover requests for help and passed along the latest letter, which is from Ivy, a newly married young woman who is in fear for her life. Mia Hutchinson-Shaw reveals Violet's lack of confidence in matching her aunt's talents. When she reaches Ivy's village,... Read More

Hillary Huber creates a delightfully snarky heroine in Nessa, a telemarketer who is fired with no warning because her boss, Xavier, doesn't like her face. Nessa can't understand how her "resting bitch face" could matter since her work is 100% on the phone. Xavier, always shoeless, has fired many more workers with equally lame reasons, yet Nessa discovers the fired workers'... Read More

Pete Cross narrates Willa Cather's atmospheric classic, first published in 1927, with quiet assurance. In 1851, Father Jean Marie Latour begins his priesthood by serving as the apostolic vicar of New Mexico. As the priest from the East navigates the desert Southwest--its stunning landscape, its intensely divided peoples, and its surprising caprices--Cross brings Cather's... Read More

The late Judith Heumann, who used a wheelchair all her life, narrates her own note to listeners in this brief account of her youth and early disability-rights activism. Ali Stroker delivers the story itself, which begins with Heumann's education, a time that is marked by humiliation and opposition at nearly every turn. This fuels the anger and determination that leads to... Read More

In the second installment in the Pies Before Guys mysteries, Tanya Eby deftly portrays Daisy Ellery, a baker with a magical touch at making pies. As Daisy participates in a two-week cooking competition, her sleuthing talents are challenged, as well as her baking skills. In the first audiobook she inadvertently caused someone else's demise; this time she sniffs out a killer.... Read More

In 2034 Washington, Detective Jen Lu returns with her bio-implanted assistant, Chandler, to solve a murder involving a political smoking gun, a 1968 research paper on climate change that has the energy industry up in arms. Joe Sanfelippo portrays Chandler and his humorous robotic interpretation of Jen's every thought and emotion. He also provides an emotionless interpretation... Read More

In this audiobook Jennifer Michael Hecht proposes that poetry can become a personal ritual for many of life's important moments, particularly for those who find no solace in organized religion. For each moment for which religion or community offers consolation or commemoration, Hecht suggests a poem and a way of choosing and using a poem of the listener's selection. Gail... Read More

Senn Annis portrays Ottawa coroner Dr. Cate Spencer as she tries to solve a possible murder. When Dr. Spencer is called to the scene of an apparent suicide at a nitrate film storage facility, something other than the highly flammable materials in the facility seems explosive. Surrounded by protesters who are trying to prevent a blatant land grab, she starts to realize that a... Read More