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HARDCASE

Nameless, Pronzini's veteran private eye, finally ties the knot with his longtime love, Kerry. Happiness is tempered with danger when a case involving an adopted child who wants more information about her birth parents becomes complex, with the discovery of serial murder and terrible secrets. Pronzini produces, as usual, an engrossing mystery while creating and sustaining complex characters. At first, John Michalski's narration is almost overwhelming: booming and brusque. As the listener becomes accustomed to his style, and he settles into the story, subtlety in his expressions of characters emerges. His forthright emotions and handling of understated personalities (like Kerry) keep the action real and make the frightening conclusion truly immediate. Although his Nameless may not be as restrained as some readers imagine, this full-bodied performance works well with the action and tension of the novel.

Pub Date: Feb. 1, 2007

Duration: 6 hrs

Publisher: BBC Audiobooks America/ Sound Library

Review Posted Online: Jan. 22, 2026

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    "R" IS FOR RICOCHET

    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

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      10 LB. PENALTY

      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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