Lovers of historical mysteries will enjoy Paul Matthews's sonorous rendition of Bernard Knight's series about a twelfth-century English coroner. In this installment, Crowner John must solve the gruesome murders of several well-respected craftsmen while also coping with a Crusader who has been forced from his home (the "noble outlaw" of the title). As always, accurate historical detail is one of the book's fascinations—for example, the town of Oxford smelled better in the winter because the garbage that flowed in a gully down the middle of every major street was frozen solid. Knight's writing can be sloppy in this eleventh installment, such as using the same adjective twice in one sentence, but Matthews' easy-listening voice and thoughtful characterizations keep us focused on the book's many pleasures.
Pub Date: Jan. 22, 2008
Duration: 12 hrs, 30 mins
Publisher: Recorded Books/ Clipper Audio
Review Posted Online: Jan. 22, 2026
In the latest Kinsey Millhone mystery, Kinsey is hired by an aged, wealthy man to retrieve his daughter from prison, where she has served time for embezzlement. Kinsey quickly figures out that the girl isn’t an embezzler but instead has done time for her money-laundering boss. All heck breaks loose. Judy Kaye has a warm, rich voice that seems just right for Grafton’s P.I. Her delivery mirrors the smart-aleck tenor of much of Kinsey’s dialogue. Strangely though, when Kaye is interpreting a male character (and there are many), she raises her voice to a higher register, so that many of the men sound like adolescents with changing voices, or worse, like chipmunks. It may be Kaye’s subtle social comment, though. For once the listener adapts, this odd gender reversal seems natural.
Pub Date: July 13, 2004
Duration: 10 hrs, 30 mins
Publisher: N/A
Review Posted Online: Jan. 22, 2026
Benedict Juliard, forced from steeplechase racing, becomes increasingly involved in politics and protecting his father's life. Prebble's relaxed but masterful command of characters allows an easy flow during conversations, as well as the sudden transformations from narrative to action scenes. His clear, precise speech; polished style of delivery; and sense of timing give a steady consistency and excellence to his reading. Prebble carries the main characters with ease, but he seems to delight in performing the secondary characters, who feature a great variety of accents to match their roles. Another polished performance by a master of reading.
Pub Date: Jan. 22, 1998
Duration: 7 hrs, 30 mins
Publisher: Recorded Books Inc.
Review Posted Online: Jan. 22, 2026
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