Dion Graham's soft, husky-voiced narration is arguably the most positive element of BLACK WATER RISING. His slight drawl is especially effective at lending depth and credibility to the main character, Jay Porter, as the young black lawyer struggles to get established in 1980s Texas. This first novel from author Attica Locke offers the narrator and the listener many challenges: a broad cast of ethnically diverse characters, frequent flashbacks and scene changes, an involved back story, and a plot that relies heavily on coincidence to advance the action. Through his skillful use of pause and inflection Graham maintains the pace necessary for a thriller, keeps the characters separate and identifiable, and helps the listener stay on track and engaged.
Pub Date: 2009
Duration: 13 hrs, 30 mins
Publisher: Harper 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
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