Bethan Rose Young carries listeners into a vivid Victorian world and the persona of 12-year-old Myrtle Hardcastle. Young's narration moves at a brisk clip, increasing the tension in this mystery and representing the quick intelligence and wit of its heroine. Myrtle is certain her neighbor, cranky Miss Woodhouse, has been murdered, and she's determined to discover the killer. Myrtle is encouraged by deep dives into scientific queries by her governess, Miss Judson. Young's portrayal of the intelligent, loving governess is matched by that of Myrtle's adoring father, a prosecutor. Red herrings abound, and Young's cameos of minor characters are on point, especially the unlikable American niece of the victim, who flirts with Myrtle's father. Young creates an enticing foundation and an intriguing heroine in the first installment of this historical mystery series.
. (Historical mystery. 10-12)Pub Date: Jan. 22, 2020
Duration: 8 hrs, 15 mins
DD ISBN: 9781980085461
Publisher: Recorded Books Inc.
Review Posted Online: Jan. 22, 2026
A not-too-scary horror audiobook.
Dan Bittner gives a polished performance of Stine’s middle-grade horror novel, narrating with melodramatic flair and dramatic pauses at the end of each cliffhanger chapter. When the Ferber family moves into a creepy old house on Nightmare Street, Joe’s parents are oblivious to the scary things happening in the house. In a parallel story, the Hannigan family moves into the same house, where Shawn has different creepy experiences. Both Joe and Shawn have nightmares in which they encounter horror tropes—headstones, a creepy rag doll, a looping camera, a ventriloquist’s dummy, and masked teachers—in their house and at school. Bittner’s pacing works well, and fans of the Goosebumps series will enjoy the familiar shivers and tongue-in-cheek humor.
A not-too-scary horror audiobook.Pub Date: April 18, 2026
Duration: 2 hrs, 45 mins
DD ISBN: 9798228588288
Publisher: Blackstone Audio
Review Posted Online: April 7, 2026
This story of a man and his dog working together and forming a bond is full of heart.
Joe Jameson narrates as both human and beast in this middle-grade novel about a service dog and his new owner. Goldendoodle Edmund and his adopted owner, Willy, explore the Grand Canyon to solve a mysterious decades-old disappearance. Edmund can talk to other dogs, and he can also see and talk to ghosts. Jameson is a one-man show. His Edmund is perfectly upper-class British, his Chihuahua is all Southern drawl, and his boxer is not the brightest bulb. Aside from delivering flawless accents, Jameson also peppers his narration with haughty scoffs, joyful barks, and the grumbles of monsters.
This story of a man and his dog working together and forming a bond is full of heart. (Fiction. 7-9)Pub Date: March 17, 2026
Duration: 2 hrs, 54 mins
DD ISBN: 9798318566141
Publisher: Tantor Media
Review Posted Online: May 19, 2026
Kirkus Reviews Issue: July 1, 2026
© Copyright 2026 Kirkus Media LLC. All Rights Reserved.
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