At times, this audiobook tries to be more substantial than it is, occasionally offering overwrought, inconsistent accents and at times emphasizing an awkward literary style. What begins as a teenage romantic moment in the woods turns terrifying when a girl is attacked and her boyfriend is blamed. Background stories about the townspeople fill the pages, as well, with mixed results, and sometimes Christine Williams's voice sounds forced and uncomfortable with what she’s reading. The pacing of both novel and performance varies widely, with inconsequential moments often taking center stage and significant developments transpiring quickly. In spite of all this, the production still offers enough of a diverting listen to hold one's attention, if only to see how it all ends.
Pub Date: Jan. 22, 2007
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
© Copyright 2026 Kirkus Media LLC. All Rights Reserved.
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