On a mission from King Henry II, forensic physician Adelia Aguilar travels to Glastonbury Abbey to examine two skeletons, allegedly those of King Arthur and Queen Guinevere. Adelia solves that puzzle, and several more. Kate Reading performs this twelfth-century story with suitable solemnity for a quest assigned by a king. Her slightly squeaky renderings of children's dialogue are the rare break in her formality. While both text and performance of this novel present a dismal picture of life in that era, through it all, Reading's impeccable diction and spot-on phrasing keep the listener engaged with the story.
Pub Date: March 19, 2009
Duration: 11 hrs
Publisher: Penguin 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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