Which of the four equally persuasive narrators of this intelligent and riveting period whodunit is telling the truth about the poisoning of Dr. Robert Grove? They all are, depending on one's definition of the truth. And this novel, set in the height of the Restoration, is as much an exploration of how an era defined its truths as it is a murder mystery. Paul Michael's reading more than compensates for any period details lost in the near-seamless abridgment of Iain Pears's bestseller. Michael's superb narration rings true to the sensibilities and air of political intrigue of seventeenth-century England while adding complexity and nuance to the story's characters.
Pub Date: Jan. 22, 1998
Duration: 6 hrs
Publisher: Audio Renaissance
Review Posted Online: Jan. 22, 2026
Novelist Benet Archdale and housemaid Carol Stratford are two young, single parents who have no reason to know each other. They become tangled in a nightmarish spiral of kidnap, fraud, family violence and death. Ruth Rendell creates psychological suspense in thrillers that are compulsively readable or, in this case, listenable. British actress Imelda Staunton's reading is perfectly paced, and the characters are well defined. You'll have a hard time turning it off.
Pub Date: N/A
Duration: 9 hrs
Publisher: BBC Audiobooks America/ Chivers
Review Posted Online: Jan. 22, 2026
Emerson and Peabody are at it again! Uncovering antiquities takes a back-seat as the romantic archaeologists track down the master criminal who is stealing Egypt's ancient treasures. With the help of their precocious son, Ramses, the intrepid pair unravel this mystery in crowded bazaars, desert camps and the heart of the Black Pyramid. Barbara Rosenblat's reading fully measures up to the tale. She is a master of timing and nuance. Rosenblat's power for character interpretation has grown with each book in this amusing series. This is the best one yet.
Pub Date: N/A
Duration: 12 hrs
Publisher: Recorded Books Inc.
Review Posted Online: Jan. 22, 2026
© Copyright 2026 Kirkus Media LLC. All Rights Reserved.
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