Jack Holden's return to narrate the third installment in this series is a treat. Cleeves's descriptive prowess transports listeners to the bleak and formidable cliffs of Greystone, Devon. When adventurer Jem Roscoe is found dead in a dinghy after a raging storm, Detective Matthew Venn and his team are called in to investigate. Holden skillfully differentiates the locals interviewed by the detectives as they unravel the victim's background. Holden masterfully conveys the inner struggles of Venn and his team, rounding out the humanity of the investigators. With its twists and turns, the plot keeps listeners engaged. An added bonus is Ann Cleeves speaking directly to listeners about the origin of the Venn series.
Pub Date: Sept. 5, 2023
Duration: 9 hrs, 45 mins
DD ISBN: 9781250910301
Publisher: Macmillan Audio
Review Posted Online: Jan. 22, 2026
The delivery, pacing, intricate plot, and complex characters make this audiobook a winner.
This audiobook provides listeners with two distinct but related narratives, each presented by a talented narrator. First, a self-described serial killer instructs would-be followers on how to be a successful murderer. The sophisticated and slightly ominous voice of Michael Geary explains step by step how to kill multiple people without getting caught. The second story is a police procedural describing the investigative work of Samantha "Sam" Hansen as she tracks the killer of a 14-year-old schoolgirl. Tamsin Kennard portrays Sam's mental health issues, her fears, her cleverness, and, most of all, her relentless pursuit of justice.
The delivery, pacing, intricate plot, and complex characters make this audiobook a winner.Pub Date: Feb. 24, 2026
Duration: 11 hrs, 37 mins
DD ISBN: 9781250434586
Publisher: Macmillan Audio
Review Posted Online: March 25, 2026
Kirkus Reviews Issue: May 1, 2026
An engaging and suspenseful listen.
Lisa Flanagan’s talented narration brings ex-detective Vinnie Taylor alive as she settles in a small town in Maryland and tries to rebuild her life. When a routine shopping trip ends in Vinnie receiving a call for help from a teen who believes her best friend has been murdered, Vinnie soon finds herself embroiled in secrets and lies, along with a past she can’t forget. In Vinnie, Flanagan creates a strong, likable character, and she also creates a thoroughly believable cast of supporting characters, including troubled teenagers. Flanagan injects the perfect amount of urgency in her narration, allowing the tension to build as the plot twists to its exciting conclusion.
An engaging and suspenseful listen.Pub Date: Jan. 6, 2026
Duration: 9 hrs
DD ISBN: 9780063439269
Publisher: Harper Audio
Review Posted Online: Feb. 10, 2026
© Copyright 2026 Kirkus Media LLC. All Rights Reserved.
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