Narrator Johnny Heller nails the wry tones and rhythmic pacing of the working mugs, corrupt cops, streetwise urchins, and tough dames who people Christopher Moore's novel, which the author calls "perky noir." Occasionally, a slight Bogey-esque slur muddies the words a bit, and it can be puzzling at the beginning of each chapter to suss out whether the speaker is Sammy, the bartender telling his own story, or the third-person narrator, who doesn't identify himself until later. Some of Heller's ethnic accents are thick and have stereotypical elements, but they aren't offensive, and they add to the "Damon Runyon meets Bugs Bunny" vibe of this funny, thoroughly enjoyable tale of danger and farce in 1947 San Francisco.
Pub Date: April 17, 2018
Duration: 9 hrs
DD ISBN: 9780062803115
Publisher: Harper Audio
Review Posted Online: Jan. 22, 2026
A theatrical approach and comedic timing make this a narration win.
Mark Sanderlin narrates this cozy gay romance about two bros on a quest. Juniper loves his life with his strictly platonic best friend, Mo; their cat; and his skincare routine. But when both men land in jail, volunteering to find a dragon is a promising alternative to imprisonment. Sanderlin’s narration perfectly suits the tongue-in-cheek humor. His delivery emphasizes Juniper’s melodramatic personality, while Mo has a deeper voice and a more leisurely pace, befitting a thoughtful character. When Juniper and Mo banter, Sanderlin seamlessly switches between the two. And as both bros warm toward each other, the romantic tension is amplified. Sanderlin’s voice for dragon child Bear is especially adorable.
A theatrical approach and comedic timing make this a narration win.Pub Date: May 26, 2026
Duration: 8 hrs, 48 mins
DD ISBN: 9798217338122
Publisher: Penguin Audio
Review Posted Online: July 6, 2026
A classic murder mystery with a fantasy bent, enhanced by a perfectly entrancing narration.
The gods might be sleeping in this vibrant fantasy novel, but Joe Eyre keeps listeners wide awake with an electric performance. As a mortedant, Irody Hasp reads dead people’s thoughts. When a simple job turns deadly, however, Hasp gets accused of murder and must work quickly to avoid the gallows. As he hunts down the real killer alongside his spunky new apprentice and a giant warrior guard, he soon unveils a larger and more sinister plot. The poor of the lower levels of the tiered city are threatened, and Hasp and his newfound friends must thwart the bad guys before the gods awaken. Hasp’s world is equally odd and engaging, and Eyre explores every inch, providing various voices to round out an eclectic group of characters.
A classic murder mystery with a fantasy bent, enhanced by a perfectly entrancing narration.Pub Date: May 19, 2026
Duration: 16 hrs, 11 mins
DD ISBN: 9781250455390
Publisher: Macmillan Audio
Review Posted Online: June 9, 2026
© Copyright 2026 Kirkus Media LLC. All Rights Reserved.
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