Twenty-one short stories of fiction, fantasy, historical fiction, and mystery, written by the stars of sci-fi and performed by 15 narrators, are brought together by premier anthologists Martin and Dozois. All the narrations include characterizations, accents, and dramatic flourishes. Narrating with aplomb, these veteran performers bring the short stories to life. Many of the stories are the next installment in a familiar series, a spin-off tale, or a bit of backstory. Butcher’s tale, narrated effortlessly by Emily Rankin, features Harry Dresden’s protégé; Jonathan Frakes reads Snodgrass’s terrifying space tale with deep male voices and barely audible female villains. Every story is introduced by Karen Dotrice in crisp tones. Just as the short stories vary in topic, pacing, and genre, so do the performances; some are better than others. As a whole, there’s something for everyone to disappear into. M.B.K. 2015 Audies Finalist © AudioFile 2014, Portland, Maine
Pub Date: Dec. 3, 2013
Duration: 32 hrs, 45 mins
DD ISBN: 9780307987594
Publisher: Random House Audio
Review Posted Online: Jan. 22, 2026
You’ll never think about fungus the same way again.
Andrew Fallaize’s committed performance makes this twisty, creepy fantasy-mystery hard to turn off. Imperial investigators Din and Ana have traveled to the agricultural center of the Khanum Empire to dig into a disturbing death. It lands them in the middle of a feud between two powerful families, and Fallaize puts listeners squarely in Din’s point of view as he uses his biological enhancements to perfectly commit every suspect and clue to memory while managing the eccentric Ana. Fallaize breaks out a wide variety of British accents to believably portray each character, and he expertly enhances every moment of suspense, danger, and horror in this satisfying third installment in the series.
You’ll never think about fungus the same way again.Pub Date: Aug. 4, 2026
Duration: 14 hrs, 7 mins
DD ISBN: 9798217279296
Publisher: Random House Audio
Review Posted Online: yesterday
An intoxicating, genre-bending tale that asks artists and writers: What are the costs of greatness and fame?
An isolated family farm in rural Vermont anchors, then unmoors, an idyllic turned traumatic childhood. In a story revealed via flashbacks that flirt with horror, 30-something Guinevere Sharpe attempts to uncover the reason she and her beloved brother, Ennis, no longer speak. Rebecca Lowman’s narration remains distinct as the story moves back and forth in time. The slow, suspenseful pace delivers a thrilling answer to what really happened to the siblings’ celebrated mother, who wrote a bestselling fantasy series starring both of their likenesses. Lowman masterfully brings each of Guin’s singular family members to life in an absorbing performance that wholly transports the listener.
An intoxicating, genre-bending tale that asks artists and writers: What are the costs of greatness and fame?Pub Date: June 2, 2026
Duration: 14 hrs, 43 mins
DD ISBN: 9780063487406
Publisher: Harper Audio
Review Posted Online: yesterday
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