The second installment in the Oscar Wilde mystery series couldn't be more intelligent or delightful. Wilde is surrounded by Arthur Conan Doyle, Bram Stoker, and Walter Sickert; his Dr. Watson is artist Robert Sherard. Bill Wallis’s narration—spirited and authentic to the time and place—adds to the fun. Wilde and his entourage play a game called “Murder,” in which they each name a person (sometimes each other) whom they would like to see killed. Soon some on the list begin to die. It's up to Wilde to discover the murderer before Mrs. Wilde becomes a victim. The wit is charming, food descriptions luscious, and "being there" when Wilde’s LADY WINDERMERE’S FAN premieres adds to the conviviality. Happily, additional titles are forthcoming.
Pub Date: March 1, 2012
Duration: 12 hrs
DD ISBN: 9781609988777
Publisher: AudioGo
Review Posted Online: Jan. 22, 2026
Ayla, one of the "others," is adopted by a clan of Neanderthal cave people. She struggles to conform to their ways, but her advanced human traits overwhelm and threaten their primitive culture in this initial installment of an immensely popular series. Although the story might benefit from abridgment, Rowena Cooper easily carries out the formidable task of enlivening the mostly silent and stereotypical characters with consistent, diverse personalities and human dimension. Through skillful phrasing and inflection, she maintains the reader's interest and suspense, especially with Ayla and her plight, throughout this rambling and imaginative story.
Pub Date: N/A
Duration: 22 hrs
Publisher: BBC Audiobooks America/ Chivers
Review Posted Online: Jan. 22, 2026
This lyrical, sensual novel of woman's lot in Manchu, China, is as well researched as it is well written. Authentic in tone, it's nonetheless written for Westerners by a Western expert on China. Moreover, Susan Clark performs the demanding text superbly, with only occasional signs of fatigue. For the most part she not only sustains the quaint diction and Asian atmosphere, but also, creates whole worlds with her voice. She acts the book, rather than reads it, and, in so doing, turns a pretty trifle into a stupendous beauty.
Pub Date: N/A
Duration: 4 hrs, 30 mins
Publisher: Audio Literature
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.
