Elizabeth Hand's riff on Shirley Jackson's HAUNTING OF HILL HOUSE, narrated with aplomb by Carol Monda, thrums with tension and dread. When New York City playwright Holly Sherwin stumbles across an eerie mansion in Upstate New York, she's certain it's the perfect place to rehearse her new play. Holly; her partner, Nisa; fading actress Amanda; and sound technician Stevie gather at the house and are soon surrounded by unsettling noises, voices, and smells, plus a knife-wielding neighbor, an oddly evasive owner, and hostile caretakers. Monda's low-pitched, raspy voice captures the characters' growing unease, heightened emotions, and suspicion as they fall prey to their rapidly escalating fear. The production is enhanced by subtle sound effects--creaking doors, footsteps, whispers--and chillingly sung murder ballads that echo throughout.
Pub Date: Oct. 3, 2023
Duration: 10 hrs, 15 mins
DD ISBN: 9781668632536
Publisher: Hachette Audio
Review Posted Online: Jan. 22, 2026
Part of the joy of Tom Clancy novels is one's belief that the stories could come true. His latest entry stretches that some as we find international terrorists building a nuclear bomb which is used to set Americans and Russians against one another. Jay Robertson reads with a newscaster's voice, crisp and clear with a light touch of drama. However, he does little to help listeners identify Clancy's huge cast of characters, and dialects seem difficult for him as he occasionally slips in and out of character. Nonetheless, patient listeners are rewarded as the plot unfolds. This will be a welcome addition to any library justifying the price of the multi-cassettte volumes.
Pub Date: N/A
Duration: 16 hrs
Publisher: Books on Tape
Review Posted Online: Jan. 22, 2026
John Sanford is back with another psychological thriller in his Prey series. Surgeon, psychopath and serial killer Bekker is on the loose again after the easiest jailbreak in recent memory. Ken Howard's reading moves along with all the brooding energy a reader could want from a suspense book. His narration is deep, clear and well-suited to the gravelly voices of retired detective Lucas Davenport and the other cops. While Howard manages good dialects and shifts in character, his female voices leave a lot to be desired. For the most part, the abridgment gleefully throws logic and characterization overboard in favor of thrills, but the basic flavor of many characters is still fairly well maintained.
Pub Date: N/A
Duration: 3 hrs
Publisher: Harper Audio
Review Posted Online: Jan. 22, 2026
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