Joe Coughlin pulls himself up in 1920s Boston amid the rum runners of Prohibition and becomes a survivor. Dennis Lehane’s story is continually on the move—from the streets to prison walls to the Gulf Coast of Florida. If Jim Frangione’s narration has a flaw, it is only in the protagonist’s voice, which rarely dips into a Boston-Irish accent. But this weakness does not mar the overall production. Supporting characters are varied and colorful: An older Italian man’s emotions range from kindly to vicious. A Cuban woman evolves from hardened revolutionary to softened philanthropist. Characters are diverse. From Joe’s right-hand strongman to a zealous woman and many others, Frangione gives every one a clear identity, enhancing a well-written story that is rooted in historical fiction.
Pub Date: Oct. 2, 2012
Duration: 14 hrs, 45 mins
DD ISBN: 9780062204783
Publisher: Harper Audio
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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