Murray Kiefer talks to dead people. With a promiscuous mother, an absentee father, nasty schoolmates, and a twisted, vengeful detective on his case, it's no surprise that Murray spends most of his time in the cemetery listening to those who died young. When Murray hears a new voice pleading for help, he thinks it might be Nikki, a cheerleader who disappeared. With the help of his only friend, Pearl, Murray does his best to solve the mystery. Roberto Ramirez's performance reflects the despair, rage, and loneliness of the teenaged social misfit. Ramirez handles the voices of the living and dead smoothly. With its subject matter focused on thoughts of suicide, as well as addiction, murder, and rape, this novel is meant for older listeners.
Young AdultPub Date: Feb. 4, 2006
Duration: 7 hrs
Publisher: Recorded Books Inc.
Review Posted Online: Jan. 22, 2026
A brilliant, empathetic narration worthy of its complex characters.
Will Watt’s narration shines in this queer Frankenstein retelling. Brilliant scientist Victor is certain that he can find the answer to human reanimation. Desperate to prove himself, he kidnaps innocent Elias, destroys his body, stitches it back together, and revives him using a mix of alchemy and electricity—with horrifying results. Victor then journeys across Europe to reverse his mistake with vengeful Elias on his trail. Watt depicts the alchemists Victor seeks advice from in a variety of languages and accents. He embodies suffering, betrayal, regret, and even budding love with an emotional intensity that will leave listeners in tears. Clarifying footnotes with historical context are interwoven with the prose.
A brilliant, empathetic narration worthy of its complex characters. (Horror. 14-18)Pub Date: Sept. 8, 2026
Duration: 9 hrs, 14 mins
DD ISBN: 9780063449053
Publisher: Harper Audio
Review Posted Online: Sept. 8, 2026
Kirkus Reviews Issue: Nov. 1, 2026
Watson’s conversational style will delight listeners of all ages.
Marli Watson narrates this first installment of a YA mystery series. Ellen is a prep-school scholarship student who knows how to follow the rules. But her life takes a turn when she moves into her aunt’s Edgar Allan Poe-themed B&B and starts having nightmares about a family who died—including Gus, a new student at school. When Ellen finds a journal that she believes was written by Poe, she meets the ghost of her long-dead relative, who calls himself Eddie. Watson makes the characters believable from the start. She portrays Ellen as feisty, and Gus as a vulnerable charmer. Aunt Marie is sweet, but not too sweet.
Watson’s conversational style will delight listeners of all ages. (Paranormal mystery. 12-18)Pub Date: April 7, 2026
Duration: 7 hrs, 19 mins
DD ISBN: 9781668654774
Publisher: Hachette Audio
Review Posted Online: June 23, 2026
Kirkus Reviews Issue: Aug. 1, 2026
© Copyright 2026 Kirkus Media LLC. All Rights Reserved.
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