This is the longest and most complex of Elizabeth George's popular series, featuring aristocratic Scotland Yard Inspector Thomas Lynley and his tough-talking assistant, Barbara Havers. This time, they investigate the hit-and-run murder of the seemingly innocuous manager of an "over-60s" social club. The victim turns out to be the long estranged mother of a world-famous violinist, and therein lies the first of the book's many convolutions. Donada Peters manages these convolutions expertly; indeed, she is the listener's necessary guide in a plot that involves long sections of one character's diary, flashbacks to the past, and many strands of current story lines. With the exception of one American character (who sounds like a Brit with a cold), Peters also handles the many voices perfectly--using accent and intonation to help explain cultural and social nuances that deepen the story's meaning.
Pub Date: Jan. 22, 2001
Duration: 33 hrs
Publisher: Books on Tape
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.
Follow
Popular in this Genre
We can’t wait for you to join Kirkus!
It’s free and takes less than 10 seconds!
Already have an account? Log in.
OR
Sign in with GoogleTrouble signing in? Retrieve credentials.
Welcome Back!
OR
Sign in with GoogleTrouble signing in? Retrieve credentials.
