When Charles Lenox, former criminal investigator, now a member of Parliament, is asked to write a speech for its opening session, he decides to escape London for his uncle’s idyllic estate in rural Plumbley. James Langton’s convincing narration brings the Victorian period and the charming English countryside into sharp focus. Langton is spot-on as he develops Lenox’s character—from his tender feelings for his wife, Jane, and his delight in his newborn daughter, Sophie, to his dealings with his protégé, John Dallington, and several seemingly senseless acts of vandalism in Plumbley. When the vandalism escalates to murder and Lenox’s uncle is kidnapped, Langton reveals Lenox to be the first-rate detective he is. Charles Finch’s sixth Lenox mystery is tightly plotted, filled with credible characters, and enhanced by Langton’s confident performance.
Pub Date: Jan. 22, 2012
Duration: 8 hrs, 30 mins
Publisher: Dreamscape
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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