by Alison Goodman ; read by Kristin Atherton ‧ RELEASE DATE: May 6, 2025
Kristin Atherton shows off her vocal versatility throughout the second installment of the adventures of Lady Augusta Colebrook and her twin, Julia. Both are avid amateur detectives who hide behind the facade of being "old maids." Together, they seek justice for women who are mistreated by their husbands, brothers, or fathers, including Lady Hester, who has been brutalized and institutionalized by her younger brother. A second plot involves clearing Hester's older brother, Lord Evan, of a murder conviction 20 years earlier. Atherton adopts a clipped no-nonsense tone. British upper-crust accents often suggest the feelings of superiority of some characters, while working-class London accents characterize Bow Street runners, thieves, and bounty hunters. Throughout, Atherton draws listeners into this complex story of loyalty and deception.
Pub Date: May 6, 2025
Duration: 12 hrs
DD ISBN: 9780593907689
Publisher: Penguin Audio
Review Posted Online: Jan. 22, 2026
by Elizabeth Peters ; read by Barbara Rosenblat ‧ RELEASE DATE: N/A
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
by Sujata Massey ; read by Sneha Mathan ‧ RELEASE DATE: March 3, 2026
Fans will be pleased with this colorful and fun addition to a popular series.
Awards & Accolades
Our Verdict
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Sneha Mathan, who has narrated several books in the Perveen Mistry detective series, sets a deliberate pace in the female lawyer’s latest adventure in 1920s Bombay. This time, Perveen acquires a film studio as a client, only to find a murdered guest at a movie screening. Mathan, who has a soothing, midrange voice, honors the author’s formal language with exquisite diction and an unrushed reading. While some may wish to increase the playback speed a bit, the pace gives listeners time to follow the complex plot. A few of the female characters sound confusingly similar, but that’s a quibble. In general, the international cast and disparate personalities are vivid.
Fans will be pleased with this colorful and fun addition to a popular series.Pub Date: March 3, 2026
Duration: 14 hrs
DD ISBN: 9798899746116
Publisher: Recorded Books Inc.
Review Posted Online: April 21, 2026
Kirkus Reviews Issue: June 1, 2026
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