Aaron Elkins spins a fine tale of murder, deceit, and forensic pathology as his protagonist, Gideon Oliver, is called upon to determine whether a death was accidental or planned. Although Tahiti seems an unlikely place for a crime, this tropical paradise has its dark side. John Michalski's delivery works well; he gives a vocal identity to each character and handles the French, native, and American accents with ease. During Oliver's investigation, however, many technical terms slow the pace of the novel. Nonetheless, this is an enjoyable book with a satisfactory solution to the mystery.
Pub Date: Jan. 22, 1997
Duration: 9 hrs, 19 mins
Publisher: BBC Audiobooks America/ Sound Library
Review Posted Online: Jan. 22, 2026
Novelist Benet Archdale and housemaid Carol Stratford are two young, single parents who have no reason to know each other. They become tangled in a nightmarish spiral of kidnap, fraud, family violence and death. Ruth Rendell creates psychological suspense in thrillers that are compulsively readable or, in this case, listenable. British actress Imelda Staunton's reading is perfectly paced, and the characters are well defined. You'll have a hard time turning it off.
Pub Date: N/A
Duration: 9 hrs
Publisher: BBC Audiobooks America/ Chivers
Review Posted Online: Jan. 22, 2026
Emerson and Peabody are at it again! Uncovering antiquities takes a back-seat as the romantic archaeologists track down the master criminal who is stealing Egypt's ancient treasures. With the help of their precocious son, Ramses, the intrepid pair unravel this mystery in crowded bazaars, desert camps and the heart of the Black Pyramid. Barbara Rosenblat's reading fully measures up to the tale. She is a master of timing and nuance. Rosenblat's power for character interpretation has grown with each book in this amusing series. This is the best one yet.
Pub Date: N/A
Duration: 12 hrs
Publisher: Recorded Books Inc.
Review Posted Online: Jan. 22, 2026
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