Feodor Chin's impressive rendering of accents ranging from Russian to Chinese and Portuguese adds to a story brimming with descriptions of diverse locales and food--some appealing and some less so. The plot alternates between the spirited voices of North Korean police officer Inspector O and his nephew, Major Bing, who oversees state security in a region of China that borders North Korea. Together, they're searching for the manufacturers and buyers of dumpling machines that are actually nuclear weapons being smuggled into North Korea. Chin's skill at conveying the humor, ideas, and prejudices of multiple cultures adds atmosphere and listening pleasure. It's especially relaxing to hear Inspector O's aesthetic appreciation of various trees as he's being drugged, kidnapped, and blindfolded. Audio is a must to thoroughly appreciate this action-packed thriller.
Pub Date: Dec. 6, 2016
Duration: 9 hrs, 15 mins
DD ISBN: 9781504756839
Publisher: Blackstone Audio
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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