Hallie Ephron has achieved a riveting suspense novel, and Amy McFadden's narration is compelling. Forty years ago, Lis and Janey were playing outside when Lis ran after a puppy, leaving 4-year-old Janey alone. When she returned, Janey, and her one-of-a-kind porcelain doll, were gone. On the anniversary of Janey's disappearance, their mother places a photo of Janey's doll in the newspaper, offering a substantial reward for clues to Janey's whereabouts. When the doll is returned, McFadden ramps up the tension with completely credible characters, including Janey's mother; Miss Sorel, a doll maker; daughter Lis, who blames herself for Janey's disappearance; Lis's daughter, Vanessa; her next-door neighbor, Evelyn; and the slightly sketchy woman who's after the reward. McFadden handles plot twists and coincidences with understated intensity, making this a must-listen.
Pub Date: June 6, 2017
Duration: 8 hrs, 30 mins
DD ISBN: 9780062698001
Publisher: Harper Audio
Review Posted Online: Jan. 22, 2026
Part of the joy of Tom Clancy novels is one's belief that the stories could come true. His latest entry stretches that some as we find international terrorists building a nuclear bomb which is used to set Americans and Russians against one another. Jay Robertson reads with a newscaster's voice, crisp and clear with a light touch of drama. However, he does little to help listeners identify Clancy's huge cast of characters, and dialects seem difficult for him as he occasionally slips in and out of character. Nonetheless, patient listeners are rewarded as the plot unfolds. This will be a welcome addition to any library justifying the price of the multi-cassettte volumes.
Pub Date: N/A
Duration: 16 hrs
Publisher: Books on Tape
Review Posted Online: Jan. 22, 2026
John Sanford is back with another psychological thriller in his Prey series. Surgeon, psychopath and serial killer Bekker is on the loose again after the easiest jailbreak in recent memory. Ken Howard's reading moves along with all the brooding energy a reader could want from a suspense book. His narration is deep, clear and well-suited to the gravelly voices of retired detective Lucas Davenport and the other cops. While Howard manages good dialects and shifts in character, his female voices leave a lot to be desired. For the most part, the abridgment gleefully throws logic and characterization overboard in favor of thrills, but the basic flavor of many characters is still fairly well maintained.
Pub Date: N/A
Duration: 3 hrs
Publisher: Harper Audio
Review Posted Online: Jan. 22, 2026
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