Hollywood's action-film formula insists on an explosive shoot-'em-up sequence within the first two minutes, and Iris Johansen obliges. This action/romance, tailor-made for the movies, starts with a bang and doesn't let up until its predictable conclusion. It tells the story of Grace Archer, ex-CIA operative and horse whisperer, and her 8-year-old daughter, on the run from a malevolent force named Marvot. Nicely read by Jennifer Van Dyck, the novel unfolds as believably as possible, given the book's dependence on coincidence and improbability. Still, Van Dyck's lively narration makes kidnapping, sandstorms, buried treasure, murder, and mayhem unfold like an escapist's dream matinee at the local Bijou. Not great literature, but still great fun.
Pub Date: Jan. 22, 2005
Duration: 9 hrs
DD ISBN: 739324896
Publisher: Random House 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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