Aboard the American sailing ship HERBERT FULLER in 1896, the captain, his wife, and the second mate were murdered with an ax for no discernible reason, and the killer remains unknown. Actor Daniel Thomas May narrates this tale in the authoritative tone of a newscaster, which works well when he delivers the author's own words. However, when the author quotes from contemporary sources --which are often in imperfect English, since most of the crew were Europeans--May makes the odd decision to speak in awkward, halting phrases. Nonetheless, this a thoroughly researched and well-told account of an enduring mystery.
Pub Date: June 16, 2020
Duration: 8 hrs, 30 mins
DD ISBN: 9781549101878
Publisher: Hachette Audio
Review Posted Online: Jan. 22, 2026
Listeners will appreciate Swift’s talent and perseverance.
In this compelling audiobook, journalist Swift relates the pleasures and pains of completing a 14-state trek of the 2,000-mile Appalachian Trail, and describes the people he meets along the way. His original excursion coincided with the 1990 murder of two hikers whom he’d met on the trail. More than three decades later, Swift recreates his hike, seeking answers about the murders and noting the ways that global warming is threatening the A.T. Swift’s voice has some gravel in it, befitting a man in his mid-60s. He relates his experiences in well-wrought descriptions: a near miss from a falling tree; an encounter with a rattlesnake; injuries to his back, hand, and ankle; and the often daunting terrain.
Listeners will appreciate Swift’s talent and perseverance.Pub Date: Aug. 18, 2026
Duration: 11 hrs, 49 mins
DD ISBN: 9780063265462
Publisher: Harper Audio
Review Posted Online: Sept. 22, 2026
Kirkus Reviews Issue: Nov. 1, 2026
A clear, enraging audiobook about a dangerous abuser, narrated skillfully and with care.
One of Gabra Zackman's strengths is her ability to narrate nonfiction so eloquently. This deeply researched audiobook unwinds a tragic and enraging story about a master manipulator. Paul Skalnik spent decades getting close to people, deceiving them with lies about his accomplishments, taking advantage of them, and disappearing. He never truly paid for his crimes, which included falsely implicating others and abusing multiple women and girls. He was aided by a legal system all too willing to give him lenient sentences and no real accountability. Zackman conveys this work with a humanity that connects with the heart of the injustices committed and the people who were affected.
A clear, enraging audiobook about a dangerous abuser, narrated skillfully and with care.Pub Date: July 14, 2026
Duration: 7 hrs, 58 mins
DD ISBN: 9798217159673
Publisher: Random House Audio
Review Posted Online: Sept. 8, 2026
Kirkus Reviews Issue: Oct. 15, 2026
© Copyright 2026 Kirkus Media LLC. All Rights Reserved.
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