Soon after Detective Bert Hook reluctantly agrees to perform in a community theater production of Shakespeare, the director gets his throat slashed. Hook finds himself knee-deep in the investigation, and, naturally, the suspects include members of the cast, among them a petty thief, a violent criminal, and an adulterer. Narrator Gareth Armstrong maintains a somber yet pleasant tone. His even-paced delivery effectively portrays each character’s personality. Armstrong demonstrates great vocal range and skill with aristocratic and regional British accents. His performance avoids melodrama and allows the writing to speak for itself. A most satisfying presentation of a traditional mystery with an intriguing retinue of suspects.
Pub Date: Jan. 22, 2009
Duration: 8 hrs
Publisher: ISIS Audio Books /Soundings
Review Posted Online: Jan. 22, 2026
C.J. Box writes about life in wild Wyoming, short stories of people living a rugged life by choice or by circumstance. David Chandler narrates in a rough-edged whiskey voice that suggests summer heat, bitter winters, and windswept prairies, guiding the listener through 10 adventures of men like Fish and Game Officer Joe Pickett. Chandler brings the listener into this strange world where, more often than not, men have to create their own justice. His performance of the economical stories, some rarely seen, is perfect. The tale of the frozen body of a Native American basketball player turned speed freak, her arm reaching through the ice of a lake in a final jump shot, is one of the most fascinating in the collection.
Pub Date: N/A
Duration: 7 hrs, 30 mins
DD ISBN: 9781470392796
Publisher: Recorded Books Inc.
Review Posted Online: Jan. 22, 2026
Dirk Pitt, intrepid adventurer and master explorer, searches the Sahara for the deadly toxin that is killing marine life world wide. This audio, abridged by Harold Schmidt, lacks most of the adventure, as well as the humor, of Cussler's novels. Narrator Tom Wopat brings an unconventional vocal slant to the ever-cocky Pitt. Using lots of vocal characterization, Wopat brings across the smug brashness of Pitt and handles dialogue briskly. Enhanced by sound effects and small pieces of music, this is an interesting and perplexing mystery.
Pub Date: N/A
Duration: 3 hrs
Publisher: Simon & Schuster
Review Posted Online: Jan. 22, 2026
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