by Colleen McCullough ; Read by Lewis Hancock ‧ RELEASE DATE: Nov. 6, 2012
In 1969, the marriage between black Jim Hunter and his blonde wife, Millie, is met with unspoken ostracism, even in their circle of research scientists. An expert in lethal poisons, Millie announces that her groundbreaking blowfish toxin has disappeared from her closet-sized research lab, and then two murders rapidly occur in their small academic community. Narrator Lewis Hancock applies straightforward voices for Jim and Millie, and shines in his subtle characterization of Captain Carmine Delmonico, the police detective at the center of McCullough’s whodunit series. Hancock provides more colorful portrayals for a manipulative Yugoslavian trophy wife and a buttoned-up university president, both suspects in the murders. Even in academic circles, the lust for power can result in tragedy.
Pub Date: Nov. 6, 2012
Duration: 12 hrs
Publisher: AudioGo
Review Posted Online: Jan. 22, 2026
by Sue Grafton ; Read by Judy Kaye ‧ RELEASE DATE: July 13, 2004
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
by Dick Francis ; Read by Simon Prebble ‧ RELEASE DATE: Jan. 22, 1998
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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