Being the son of a serial killer is one burden that 17-year-old Jasper (Jazz) Dent carries with him, along with the heavier burden of fearing he will follow in his father's footsteps. Charlie Thurston's understated performance captures the palpable tension of the story. Amid Jazz's memories of the gruesome and sadistic murders his father has committed are the everyday routines of school and caring for his failing grandmother. Thurston's voicing for the evil Billy Dent is especially creepy and provides a counterpoint to the voice of the easygoing Sheriff Tanner. As a copycat killer emerges, Jazz vows to help the police. Is there atonement for Jazz, or will he finally be tempted to complete what his father hoped was his destiny? Listeners will need a strong stomach and a clear moral compass to appreciate this story.
(Thriller. 15 & up)Pub Date: June 11, 2013
Duration: 9 hrs, 30 mins
DD ISBN: 9781611134087
Publisher: Hachette Audio
Review Posted Online: Jan. 22, 2026
Listeners follow Merry, the longbow girl, one of the best archers in her town. When she finds a magical portal in the forest that takes her back to sixteenth-century Wales, she must use her skills to win an archery contest in order to help her ancestors keep their land. While narrator Emily Wilden brings protagonist Merry to life with a rich Welsh accent, her narration seems uneven at times. All the period characters have accents that reflect the setting of the story and transport listeners to Wales. Listeners who enjoy historical fiction and a bit of fantasy will be charmed by this tale of determination, hope, and family.
Young AdultPub Date: N/A
Duration: 11 hrs
DD ISBN: 9781501916793
Publisher: Recorded Books Inc.
Review Posted Online: Jan. 22, 2026
In 1832 thirteen-year-old Charlotte Doyle is sailing from Liverpool to Rhode Island to rejoin her family. Shocked to discover that the families who were to have been both guardians and companions will not accompany her, Charlotte embarks on a journey filled with terror and swashbuckling adventure. The first-person narrative makes this Newbery Honor book a wonderful choice for recording. O'Karma's reading, with its hint of cross-gender differentiation, allows the listener to feel as if Charlotte Doyle herself were relating the tale. This story should be particularly alluring to adolescent girls although the fast-paced action and the nautical setting will also appeal to male listeners. Ages 12-adult.
Ages 12+Pub Date: N/A
Duration: 6 hrs
Publisher: Recorded Books Inc.
Review Posted Online: Jan. 22, 2026
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