This would make an excellent short story--too bad it's a full novel. David Joe Wirth reads with gritted teeth as befits the story of tough-guy Burke, who moves in a world of tough guys. Even the dogs are tough. And there's no relief in this relentless book. Wirth never lets listeners forget the underlying pain. The story of a terminally ill con looking for a final score could be told quickly, but half the book is filler. Vachss shifts time and place without warning. Tangents go nowhere and confuse a complex plot. Fans will recognize Vachss's obsession with exposing crimes against children. But the crimes are so graphically detailed that you'll need a shower and a stiff drink after listening.
Pub Date: Sept. 25, 2007
Duration: 10 hrs
DD ISBN: 9781423340614
Publisher: Brilliance Audio
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
© Copyright 2026 Kirkus Media LLC. All Rights Reserved.
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