Sherlock Holmes’s arch nemesis takes center stage in John Gardner’s re-visioning of the Holmes myth from the perspective of criminal mastermind James Moriarty. Robin Sachs’s steady narration deftly guides the listener through the underworld of Victorian London. Moriarty’s plotting, scheming, and grandiose crimes take center stage, where previously, in the Conan Doyle stories, we saw these only through Holmes’s detection of the clues left behind. Sachs’s staid presentation is suited to the period of the novel, and his portrayal of the London criminal class is subtle where it could have easily been hackneyed. In addition to Moriarty’s background story, we learn about a few of his cohorts, who are given far more character depth than in original Holmes stories, and Sachs’s reading gives them even further dimension.
Pub Date: June 1, 2012
Duration: 13 hrs
DD ISBN: 9781620640463
Publisher: AudioGo
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.
Follow
Popular in this Genre
We can’t wait for you to join Kirkus!
It’s free and takes less than 10 seconds!
Already have an account? Log in.
OR
Sign in with GoogleTrouble signing in? Retrieve credentials.
Welcome Back!
OR
Sign in with GoogleTrouble signing in? Retrieve credentials.
