Narrator Jane McDowell portrays the relationships that continue to evolve among the recurring characters of this mystery series, which takes place in Norwich, England. The main character, Ruth Galloway, is a crime-solving archaeologist, professor, and single mother. McDowell sets a good pace as she finds wonderful voices for the characters, including Jo, the new female chief superintendent who continually rattles DCI Nelson. Character development adds as much to the circuitous story as the police investigate the strange murders of two harmless rough sleepers, the disappearance of three women, and the discovery of old bones in an abandoned tunnel under the streets. McDowell's well-modulated voice adds drama to the fascinating historical details.
Pub Date: Jan. 22, 2017
Duration: 10 hrs
DD ISBN: 9781501905957
Publisher: Recorded Books Inc.
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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