Narrator Gemma Whelan introduces Reverend Jacqueline Brooks and her 14-year-old daughter, Flo, who move from the city to a church in rural England. Narrator Richard Armitage convincingly portrays a mysterious figure who stays in the background. In this horror story, people burn twig dolls to remember the martyrs who were burned at the stake 500 years ago during Queen Mary's purge of Protestants. Listeners will shudder at meeting the sinister villagers and parishioners. Whelan captures gutsy, inquisitive Reverend Brooks's thoughts, particularly when she receives threatening notes, which add to the mystery's forbidding atmosphere. Equally well rendered is the spirited Flo. Descriptions are riveting and credible as Brooks uncovers many shocking truths. Despite the grim setting, the relationship between mother and daughter and the satisfying conclusion offer a worthwhile listen.
Pub Date: Feb. 9, 2021
Duration: 10 hrs
DD ISBN: 9780593292754
Publisher: Random House Audio
Review Posted Online: Jan. 22, 2026
Part of the joy of Tom Clancy novels is one's belief that the stories could come true. His latest entry stretches that some as we find international terrorists building a nuclear bomb which is used to set Americans and Russians against one another. Jay Robertson reads with a newscaster's voice, crisp and clear with a light touch of drama. However, he does little to help listeners identify Clancy's huge cast of characters, and dialects seem difficult for him as he occasionally slips in and out of character. Nonetheless, patient listeners are rewarded as the plot unfolds. This will be a welcome addition to any library justifying the price of the multi-cassettte volumes.
Pub Date: N/A
Duration: 16 hrs
Publisher: Books on Tape
Review Posted Online: Jan. 22, 2026
John Sanford is back with another psychological thriller in his Prey series. Surgeon, psychopath and serial killer Bekker is on the loose again after the easiest jailbreak in recent memory. Ken Howard's reading moves along with all the brooding energy a reader could want from a suspense book. His narration is deep, clear and well-suited to the gravelly voices of retired detective Lucas Davenport and the other cops. While Howard manages good dialects and shifts in character, his female voices leave a lot to be desired. For the most part, the abridgment gleefully throws logic and characterization overboard in favor of thrills, but the basic flavor of many characters is still fairly well maintained.
Pub Date: N/A
Duration: 3 hrs
Publisher: Harper Audio
Review Posted Online: Jan. 22, 2026
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