The charms of Bernard Knight's long-running series about "Crowner" John, a twelfth-century British coroner, lie in their wealth of medieval details, the nuanced portrayals of the characters, and their sometimes-gruesome deaths. Although the writing very occasionally falls flat, narrator Paul Matthews imbues it all with interest and verve. In this installment, Crowner John has been appointed coroner of Westminster, where he discovers that intrigue and murder—don't drink that foxglove tincture!—rule the court. Matthews voices everyone from high-borne ladies to gruff innkeepers in a way that entertains and informs. His easy-listening baritone smooths the narrative. And his diction makes every historical tidbit clear. With Matthews in our ear, we want to stay forever in the past.
Pub Date: Jan. 22, 2009
Duration: 13 hrs
Publisher: Recorded Books/ Clipper 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.
Follow
Popular in this Genre
We can’t wait for you to join Kirkus!
It’s free and takes less than 10 seconds!
Already have an account? Log in.
OR
Sign in with GoogleTrouble signing in? Retrieve credentials.
Welcome Back!
OR
Sign in with GoogleTrouble signing in? Retrieve credentials.
