David Colacci, longtime narrator of the Inspector Brunetti mysteries, performs with confidence in this broody story that starts with teenage gangs wreaking havoc in Piazza San Marco and evolves into a tale of bullying and secrets in many quarters. As always in this series, corruption is rife in Venetian officialdom. Leon's writing emphasizes exposition over dialogue, so Colacci delivers most of the story in his distinctively American baritone, which contrasts sharply and often uncomfortably with his Italian character voices. As for characters, males and females are clearly differentiated, and the central personalities are distinct. Secondary people, who sound more Italian American than Italian, are given some well-chosen quirks. As befits a relaxed Italian approach to life, Colacci performs without hurry. Buon appetito to regular listeners.
Pub Date: July 9, 2024
Duration: 9 hrs, 30 mins
DD ISBN: 9798892741637
Publisher: Recorded Books Inc.
Review Posted Online: Jan. 22, 2026
With her talent for distinct voices, Huber will keep listeners fully engaged and entertained from beginning to end.
In this third addition to The Martini Club series, narrator Hillary Huber masterfully performs the returning characters plus many new players—the good and the just pretending to be good. Martini Club member and former CIA agent Ingrid Slocum is managing a conference on potential global health disasters. When one of the prominent speakers, a Russian defector, is murdered, the Martini Club members are forced to return to their spy roots, sending Ingrid and former and current colleagues on a precarious adventure. With the assistance of the local chief of police, they investigate a series of murders mysteriously tied to a botched operation from their past.
With her talent for distinct voices, Huber will keep listeners fully engaged and entertained from beginning to end.Pub Date: Aug. 25, 2026
Duration: 10 hrs
DD ISBN: 9781511354622
Publisher: Brilliance Audio
Review Posted Online: Sept. 9, 2026
Kirkus Reviews Issue: Oct. 15, 2026
Overall, listeners will find the characters and the plot funny, touching, and compelling.
Narrator David Threlfall’s deep, gruff voice seems like the perfect match for DS Declan Miller, whose continual banter and sarcastic sense of humor will entertain listeners while he drives his colleagues batty. A murder case that may or may not have actually been murder sets off a domino effect, which includes a real murder, a kidnapping, and the involvement of the head of a crime family. Listeners also get to eavesdrop on conversations between Miller and his late wife, who continues to cheer and guide him. While Threlfall, through accents, pace, and tone, is highly effective at performing the male characters, his female voices lack plausibility.
Overall, listeners will find the characters and the plot funny, touching, and compelling.Pub Date: July 21, 2026
Duration: 10 hrs, 20 mins
DD ISBN: 9781668192153
Publisher: Simon & Schuster Audio
Review Posted Online: yesterday
Kirkus Reviews Issue: Oct. 15, 2026
© Copyright 2026 Kirkus Media LLC. All Rights Reserved.
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