Deputy Commissaire Claude Lebel is in a race against time to catch the cold-blooded assassin known only as “The Jackal,” who is hired to kill France's president, Charles de Gaulle. This classic thriller translates well to audio. The clear timeline and step-by-step presentation of the backstory and the investigation are tense but easy to follow. Narrator Simon Prebble is the perfect complement to Forsythe's matter-of-fact style of writing. Prebble's steady delivery allows the plot to unfold without descriptive sections becoming boring, and his subtle characterizations are all that is required to distinguish the key players. Prebble's clipped English accent helps to conjure the atmosphere of Europe in the 1960s.
Pub Date: Nov. 24, 2009
Duration: 13 hrs
Publisher: Blackstone Audio
Review Posted Online: Jan. 22, 2026
Anne McCaffrey's matter-of-fact and straightforward storytelling makes credible this tale of a universe being colonized by humans, a few of whom have telekinetic and telepathic powers. Jean Reed-Bahle's skillful narration is as fast-paced as the storyline, and she has a broad range of voices. The use of an echo effect when characters communicate telepathically is appropriate and effective. Brilliance has produced a program that listeners from teenagers to adults will enjoy.
Pub Date: N/A
Duration: 10 hrs
Publisher: Brilliance Audio
Review Posted Online: Jan. 22, 2026
Robin Cook's medical thriller will have a built-in audience which, for the most part, will not be disappointed with this story. Medical Examiner Laurie Montgomery is certain there is a connection in a series of Yuppie deaths. Technically the production is of high quality; no intrusive sound effects or music detract from the listening experience, and the narration is well-paced. However, narrator Peters's British accent and pronunciations are, at best, out of character and are downright ludicrous when she tries to impersonate Italian-American gangsters. The choice of narrator is inexplicable since the story is set in New York, and all major characters are Americans. Regardless, larger collections will want to have this because of Cook's popularity.
Pub Date: N/A
Duration: 12 hrs
Publisher: Books on Tape
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.
