Carol O'Connell's damaged heroine is an odd sort of main character. Using only her last name, "Mallory" insulates herself to shield herself against loss, but her veneer seems always about to crack. Performer Laural Merlington portrays the icy police detective who is trying desperately to live up to the reputation of her legendary stepfather, a detective in the same New York precinct. The bizarre murder of an avant-garde artist reminds her of one of his biggest cases; could the two cases be related? Merlington expresses Mallory's repressed pain and passion, while also giving listeners subtle audio clues to the character's inner workings. Through her solid performance, she carries listeners through the twists and turns of a sordid killing.
Pub Date: Jan. 22, 2009
Duration: 12 hrs
Publisher: Brilliance 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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