Novelist Edna Ferber, who is in Hollywood for the filming of her novel GIANT, falls under the spell of the young actor James Dean (mostly called "Jimmy" here). When Jimmy is accused of the murder of an aspiring actress, Edna investigates, with the help of her friend Mercedes McCambridge. Bernadette Dunne comes up with the perfect voice for the 70-year-old and feisty Ferber, who's telling the story, and then adjusts it for the younger characters. Among the cameo celebrities are Rock Hudson, Elizabeth Taylor, and Sal Mineo. The fact that those who are voiced aren't recognizable as the stars we knew keeps the focus on Edna and her well-reasoned sleuthing. Could this be the first of a series? If so, let's hope Dunne keeps reading!
Pub Date: April 1, 2009
Duration: 8 hrs
Publisher: Blackstone 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
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