Octogenarian Veronica is living an isolated life in Scotland with her kind housekeeper, Eileen, her sole companion. After watching a television program about penguins, Veronica impulsively decides to travel to a research facility in Antarctica. With shifts in inflection and more than a hint of exasperation in her tone, narrator Helen Lloyd superbly creates a vibrant portrayal of Veronica, who never refrains from sharing her strong opinions. Veronica also learns that she has a grandson, Patrick, whose existence she was previously unaware of. Andrew Fallaize expertly captures the evolving maturation of the 20- something young man, who greatly benefits from getting to know his grandmother. Interwoven blog entries from a research scientist, voiced by Mandy Williams, keep this whimsical and poignant audiobook grounded. M.J. 2021 Audies Finalist © AudioFile 2020, Portland, Maine
Pub Date: June 16, 2020
Duration: 10 hrs, 45 mins
DD ISBN: 9780593214855
Publisher: Penguin Audio
Review Posted Online: Jan. 22, 2026
Listeners will be rooting for Josie to overcome, clean up the corruption, and establish herself.
Josie returns to Vegas after the death of her father, who was a legend in the gambling industry. Miranda Raison’s performance is lively, showing us why Josie swore off the family business 30 years ago. Raison describes the competing web of interests Josie must navigate—from relatives to federal investigators to organized crime figures and rival casino operators. She does all this with brisk pacing and a self-assured tone that reflects Josie’s analytical mindset and determination. Raison guides listeners through the family disputes, business negotiations, and escalating threats. Her performance sharpens scenes of conflict and investigation, emphasizing the pressures surrounding the family casino and Josie's future.
Listeners will be rooting for Josie to overcome, clean up the corruption, and establish herself.Pub Date: June 30, 2026
Duration: 8 hrs, 46 mins
DD ISBN: 9780063435643
Publisher: Harper Audio
Review Posted Online: June 23, 2026
Murin's performance amplifies the novel’s blend of suspense, family dynamics, and dark humor.
Patti Murin brings listeners the hilarious caper that is Nadia Davis' double life. A devoted mother by day and a ruthless assassin by night, Nadia's next assignment is to kill her own husband, who, as it turns out, might be a supervillain. With lively timing and a strong sense of character, Murin captures Nadia’s sharp instincts and internal monologue with energetic pacing and precise inflection. She handles comedic moments with a light touch, maximizing the contrast between domestic frustrations and professional obligations. Murin's delivery conveys the mounting tension as revelations accumulate and loyalties become more and more complicated. Because of the pace she maintains, rapid-fire dialogue exchanges are easy to follow.
Murin's performance amplifies the novel’s blend of suspense, family dynamics, and dark humor.Pub Date: June 16, 2026
Duration: 10 hrs, 14 mins
DD ISBN: 9798217297993
Publisher: Penguin Audio
Review Posted Online: June 30, 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.
