Thomas Hunt's lively narration coaxes warmth into the wintry Welsh landscape of Jasper Fforde's much anticipated new novel. In this frigid world, people must hibernate throughout the winter, watched over by a handful of slightly unhinged attendants known as Winter Consuls. Hunt captures the bumbling confusion of Charlie Worthing, a novice Consul whose initiation into winter isn't going well. With nimble pacing and good cheer, Hunt delivers Charlie's encounters with undead Nightwalkers, mystifying bureaucrats, and viral dreams populated by blue Buicks and disembodied hands. Supporting characters, including quaint, yet steely aristocrats and cheerfully murderous Consuls, are depicted with equal skill and vivacity. Hunt is particularly adept at communicating this engaging mix of snark and satire, heightening the surreal fun of this madcap adventure.
Pub Date: Feb. 12, 2019
Duration: 15 hrs, 15 mins
DD ISBN: 9781984842541
Publisher: Penguin Audio
Review Posted Online: Jan. 22, 2026
Four narrators help listeners discover a mysterious, underwater world.
Four narrators bring this debut novel to life. Otta is an experienced diver returning to her hometown, where she meets May. May enlists her help to search for her daughter, Daphne, who has disappeared from an underwater community created years ago by a flooded valley. Charles Linshaw narrates interstitial chapters that give insight into the underwater town’s difficult beginnings. His voice reflects both uncertainty and tenacity. Emma Ladji pours world-weariness into Otta, who is reeling from a recent tragedy. Leeanna Albanese fills Daphne’s voice with hope and wonder as she makes discoveries. As May, Gail Shalan sounds almost hysterically desperate.
Four narrators help listeners discover a mysterious, underwater world.Pub Date: April 21, 2026
Duration: 10 hrs, 29 mins
DD ISBN: 9798217173983
Publisher: Random House Audio
Review Posted Online: June 23, 2026
Gregoire's performance of these original stories stimulates listeners' imagination, providing plenty of food for thought.
Samek's collection of 12 short stories is thought provoking, surreal, and original. These creative stories are linked by several common threads: psychology, technology, and time. Narrator Chandler Gregoire adopts a personable tone, feminine and relatable, though her pacing can sometimes become a little bit rapid. Several standout stories from the collection include the titular tale of an older brother who has a puppeteer to control him; “Muscle to Muscle, Toe to Toe,” in which a couple is matched by an algorithm but it ends up feeling artificial; and “The Cloud,” in which mothers' limbs are stored in the cloud.
Gregoire's performance of these original stories stimulates listeners' imagination, providing plenty of food for thought.Pub Date: Feb. 24, 2026
Duration: 5 hrs, 16 mins
DD ISBN: 9798217278107
Publisher: Penguin Random House Audio
Review Posted Online: Feb. 24, 2026
Kirkus Reviews Issue: April 1, 2026
© Copyright 2026 Kirkus Media LLC. All Rights Reserved.
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