Hannah Curtis infuses her performance with an audible delight for Stuart's quirky story and characters. Curtis seems to be barely suppressing laughter as the comedic elements unfold. But her ironic tone is prominent in this "cozy" murder mystery, which illuminates eccentric characters, bizarre situations, and the foibles of royalty and society's upper echelons. The penniless Princess Alexandrina (Mink) moves to a grace-and-favor residence in Hampton Court Palace after the death of her father, the Maharaja of Brindor. There Mink's maid, Pookie, becomes a murder suspect when the pies she bakes for a picnic are found to be laced with arsenic. Spunky Mink launches her own investigation, undeterred by a charming romance, hilarious secrets, and confounding twists.
Pub Date: Aug. 7, 2012
Duration: 8 hrs
DD ISBN: 9780449013731
Publisher: Random House Audio
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.
