James Meunier's fluent narration of this reimagining of the shadowy life and violent death of Elizabethan playwright Christopher Marlowe brings out the best features of this first novel. Was Marlowe, while at Cambridge, recruited for Queen Elizabeth's secret service? Did he pose as a footman in Mary Stuart's service during the Scottish queen's house arrest and break the coded letters that condemned her? Listeners familiar with the era and the rich period detail of a novelist like Hilary Mantel may find Epstein's narrative thin brew. But the animating power of Meunier's narration gives her story credibility and conviction, and draws the listener chapter by chapter into one of the great mysteries of literary history.
Pub Date: Feb. 9, 2021
Duration: 13 hrs, 45 mins
DD ISBN: 9780593348888
Publisher: Random House Audio
Review Posted Online: Jan. 22, 2026
Henning’s sparkling performance is appropriately outrageous.
Daniel Henning is simply delightful in Rudnick’s hilarious venture into satirical espionage. Struggling gay actor Andrew Birnbaum is approached by the Tuxedo Society, an “off the books, queer special ops unit,” to become its newest member. What follows is a series of Bond-style adventures, from saving the gorgeous First Lady to recovering stolen jewels. There is a wide variety of ridiculous special gadgets, among them a deadly yoga mat, exploding candy bars, and a backpack that expands into an inflatable raft. Henning picks up on every nuance without missing a beat. His characterization of Andrew is flawless, while his voices for Andrew’s parents and his Tuxedo Society compatriots are wonderfully campy. Warning! This audiobook may cause uncontrollable laughter.
Henning’s sparkling performance is appropriately outrageous.Pub Date: May 26, 2026
Duration: 9 hrs, 41 mins
DD ISBN: 9781668149171
Publisher: Simon & Schuster Audio
Review Posted Online: June 30, 2026
Kirkus Reviews Issue: Aug. 15, 2026
Fontana’s strong performance is the perfect vehicle for this tale of modern-day spycraft.
Disgraced former CIA operative Ari Falk’s self-imposed exile in the Republic of Georgia ends abruptly, and he finds himself at the heart of a mission to save the world from the leader of an extremist group intent on changing the balance of political power in Europe. Narrator Santino Fontana demonstrates a wide variety of accents, bringing to life characters from across the globe. His careful characterizations ensure the polished flow of the plot, and his skills are highlighted during dialogue-heavy scenes, where he seamlessly moves between characters and accents. Fontana’s timing and spot-on pacing keep the tension building as the twisting plot unfolds.
Fontana’s strong performance is the perfect vehicle for this tale of modern-day spycraft.Pub Date: Jan. 27, 2026
Duration: 8 hrs, 45 mins
DD ISBN: 9781668123232
Publisher: Simon & Schuster Audio
Review Posted Online: March 25, 2026
Kirkus Reviews Issue: May 15, 2026
© Copyright 2026 Kirkus Media LLC. All Rights Reserved.
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