Patti Murin manages to unite generations in this Old Hollywood and Gen Z mash-up. When legendary actress Julia Mann wakes up from a drunken stupor to find her rival, Tony, dead in her pool, she's ordered to attend AA meetings. There, she meets Natasha Mason, a young, unemployed spitfire who becomes her sponsor. As the two women bridge the many divides between their lives--including wealth, fame, and generational differences--they investigate Tony's death and work to keep Julia sober and out of prison. Murin shines in portraying the dozens of secondary characters of all ages and identities, bringing each one to life. It's a case of decades-long showbiz grudges and newfound friendship, with Murin as the perfect guide through it all.
Pub Date: April 15, 2025
Duration: 10 hrs, 45 mins
DD ISBN: 9798217063925
Publisher: Penguin Audio
Review Posted Online: Jan. 22, 2026
A totally entertaining and heartfelt listening experience.
Narrator Elizabeth Wiley is perfectly matched to voice feisty 80-year-old Poppy Montgomery and her new friends from water aerobics class, Ginny and Max. This delightful, humorous crime novel highlights the vulnerability of older people to online scams that exploit their loneliness. When two women die under mysterious circumstances at the retirement home, Poppy commits to protecting Ginny, who is involved with a scheming boyfriend she met on a dating site for older people. Her well-meaning actions result in unexpected chaos. Wiley’s performance of the three friends distinguishes their very different personalities, and she also masterfully portrays the male characters, both young and older. As the plot unfolds, friendships deepen and family relationships mature.
A totally entertaining and heartfelt listening experience.Pub Date: June 9, 2026
Duration: 10 hrs, 16 mins
DD ISBN: 9781696623292
Publisher: HighBridge
Review Posted Online: Aug. 4, 2026
Kirkus Reviews Issue: Sept. 15, 2026
Emmes' performance highlights Lacey’s curiosity and determination as clues accumulate.
Andrea Emmes narrates this complex tale of murder, nostalgia, and ambition. Lacey Langdon returns to her New Jersey hometown after inheriting a printing and event planning business, when the discovery of a town official’s body throws everything into an uproar. Emmes makes the most of the tongue-in-cheek humor. She ramps up the urgency when another death occurs at a subsequent event and connections to an earlier family tragedy begin to emerge. Emmes delivers all the goings-on in an engaging, conversational style that suits the amateur sleuth at its center. She uses clear characterization and precise pacing to track the evolving mystery.
Emmes' performance highlights Lacey’s curiosity and determination as clues accumulate.Pub Date: May 26, 2026
Duration: 8 hrs, 10 mins
DD ISBN: 9798318186561
Publisher: Spotify Audiobooks
Review Posted Online: June 30, 2026
© Copyright 2026 Kirkus Media LLC. All Rights Reserved.
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