Sir Arthur Conan Doyle narrates how, as a young medical student, he came to enroll in Dr. Joseph Bell's course, become his clerk, and discover Bell's interest in forensic medicine. Later he enlists Bell's help in a series of criminal investigations involving Heather Grace, one of Doyle's patients, with secrets in her complicated past and with whom Doyle becomes enamored. Richard Matthews has his work cut out for him to portray each character distinctively enough so that the listener doesn't get lost in the complex plot, and he is moderately successful at the task. Authentic Scottish burrs, among other accents, are extremely well done and only occasionally do two characters sound similar. The rhythm and tempo that Matthews chooses are well suited to the narrative. Sherlock Holmes buffs are sure to find this appealing.
Pub Date: Jan. 22, 2002
Duration: 7 hrs, 30 mins
Publisher: Books on Tape
Review Posted Online: Jan. 22, 2026
Novelist Benet Archdale and housemaid Carol Stratford are two young, single parents who have no reason to know each other. They become tangled in a nightmarish spiral of kidnap, fraud, family violence and death. Ruth Rendell creates psychological suspense in thrillers that are compulsively readable or, in this case, listenable. British actress Imelda Staunton's reading is perfectly paced, and the characters are well defined. You'll have a hard time turning it off.
Pub Date: N/A
Duration: 9 hrs
Publisher: BBC Audiobooks America/ Chivers
Review Posted Online: Jan. 22, 2026
Emerson and Peabody are at it again! Uncovering antiquities takes a back-seat as the romantic archaeologists track down the master criminal who is stealing Egypt's ancient treasures. With the help of their precocious son, Ramses, the intrepid pair unravel this mystery in crowded bazaars, desert camps and the heart of the Black Pyramid. Barbara Rosenblat's reading fully measures up to the tale. She is a master of timing and nuance. Rosenblat's power for character interpretation has grown with each book in this amusing series. This is the best one yet.
Pub Date: N/A
Duration: 12 hrs
Publisher: Recorded Books Inc.
Review Posted Online: Jan. 22, 2026
© Copyright 2026 Kirkus Media LLC. All Rights Reserved.
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