Doug Parker, "slim, beautiful, sad," is a 29-year-old widower, passing his days in whiskey-soaked suburban seclusion. (Hailey, his wife, was killed the year before in a plane crash.) But his seclusion is disrupted by a bizarre cast of interfering characters--mostly family. Narrator Eric Ruben seems to have the most fun with the secondary characters--Doug's 16-year-old screwed-up pothead stepson, Russ; his foul-mouthed pregnant twin, Claire, who moves in with him; and his demented but well-meaning father. Doug himself sounds less interesting, a bit wimpy. The pace is slow, particularly in the remembrances of Hailey, but picks up in the humorous interactions with the do-gooder torturers. The ending is predictably sappy, but, overall, this is an enjoyable story.
Pub Date: July 17, 2007
Duration: 9 hrs
DD ISBN: 9781423328469
Publisher: Brilliance Audio
Review Posted Online: Jan. 22, 2026
Listeners will be rooting for Josie to overcome, clean up the corruption, and establish herself.
Josie returns to Vegas after the death of her father, who was a legend in the gambling industry. Miranda Raison’s performance is lively, showing us why Josie swore off the family business 30 years ago. Raison describes the competing web of interests Josie must navigate—from relatives to federal investigators to organized crime figures and rival casino operators. She does all this with brisk pacing and a self-assured tone that reflects Josie’s analytical mindset and determination. Raison guides listeners through the family disputes, business negotiations, and escalating threats. Her performance sharpens scenes of conflict and investigation, emphasizing the pressures surrounding the family casino and Josie's future.
Listeners will be rooting for Josie to overcome, clean up the corruption, and establish herself.Pub Date: June 30, 2026
Duration: 8 hrs, 46 mins
DD ISBN: 9780063435643
Publisher: Harper Audio
Review Posted Online: June 23, 2026
Murin's performance amplifies the novel’s blend of suspense, family dynamics, and dark humor.
Patti Murin brings listeners the hilarious caper that is Nadia Davis' double life. A devoted mother by day and a ruthless assassin by night, Nadia's next assignment is to kill her own husband, who, as it turns out, might be a supervillain. With lively timing and a strong sense of character, Murin captures Nadia’s sharp instincts and internal monologue with energetic pacing and precise inflection. She handles comedic moments with a light touch, maximizing the contrast between domestic frustrations and professional obligations. Murin's delivery conveys the mounting tension as revelations accumulate and loyalties become more and more complicated. Because of the pace she maintains, rapid-fire dialogue exchanges are easy to follow.
Murin's performance amplifies the novel’s blend of suspense, family dynamics, and dark humor.Pub Date: June 16, 2026
Duration: 10 hrs, 14 mins
DD ISBN: 9798217297993
Publisher: Penguin Audio
Review Posted Online: June 30, 2026
© Copyright 2026 Kirkus Media LLC. All Rights Reserved.
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