Only a full cast of narrators could effectively deliver the intensity of Picoult's horrifying story of a teenage boy with Asperger's syndrome (autism) who is accused of a brutal murder. Compelling to the last word, the novel is an emotionally powerful depiction of how a family is affected by autism—daily and in crisis. Whether our legal system fairly serves those who think and communicate differently is a question asked throughout. Mark Turetsky flawlessly portrays both Jacob Hunt's brilliance and his limitations. Nicole Poole grasps the heroic character of Jacob’s mother with an articulate, perceptive, and resigned vocal nuance. Andy Paris delivers the tones of Jacob’s “normal" teenage brother—neutral yet warm. Righteous and compassionate, complex and spellbinding—HOUSE RULES is another Picoult gift of wonder.
Pub Date: Feb. 4, 2010
Duration: 20 hrs
DD ISBN: 9781440784354
Publisher: Recorded Books Inc.
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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