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THE CAREFUL USE OF COMPLIMENTS

Isabel Dalhousie, editor of a philosophy review, has a new baby, fathered by her niece's ex-boyfriend, Jamie. Naturally, Cat, her prickly niece, isn't too happy. Then Isabel gets fired. In the meantime, she suspects that some paintings thought to have been done by a now deceased artist are forged. Isabel is kind, intelligent, determined, and a bit meddlesome. All this comes through in dialogue delivered in an infectious Scots burr while Davina Porter's crisp English diction carries the narrative parts. Something in her voice makes you pay close attention not only to what's happening but also to where it's happening--whether it's Edinburgh or a remote Scottish island. Plot, setting, and a superb reading combine for an enjoyable listen.

Pub Date: Feb. 4, 2007

Duration: 8 hrs

Publisher: Recorded Books Inc.

Review Posted Online: Jan. 22, 2026

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    THE TREE OF HANDS

    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

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      THE MUMMY CASE

      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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