Karen Novack takes on the joint roles of narrator and 40-year-old recently divorced Jessie, whose fresh start begins when she's hired as caretaker of an old house in the Sierra Foothills. Little does Jessie know that the house comes with secrets and strange employees. But Jessie has self-appointed protectors: the aging, ultra-stiff gargoyle/butler, Mr. Tom, portrayed by RJ Bayley, and an 800-year-old lisping vampire/groundskeeper named Edgar, portrayed by Bradley Foster Smith. They are joined by shape-shifter Austin Steel, voiced by Danny Gavigan. Jessie must use her courage, common sense, and growing self-assurance to protect the house and its magic from enemies who will stop at nothing to possess it all. Tongue-in-cheek humor, sound effects, and music add to charm to this full-cast dramatization.
Pub Date: April 26, 2024
Duration: 6 hrs
DD ISBN: 9798890551870
Publisher: GraphicAudio
Review Posted Online: Jan. 22, 2026
There’s sweet magic in this comforting tale of a coffee shop run by insightful cats.
Susan Momoko Hingley’s gentle performance suits the themes of introspection and healing as three people confront change and seek their authentic selves. Satsuki, a young actress, almost lost her career after an affair with a married man. Her mother, Fujiko, has also lived outside societal norms as a single mother. Fujiko’s childhood friend and one-time romantic interest, Wataru, is grappling with his own struggles. Though the characters’ voices are not always distinct, Hingley brings sensitivity and emotion to her performance, including her portrayals of the quirky and endearing cats whose astrological interpretations guide the cafe’s customers toward greater self-understanding.
There’s sweet magic in this comforting tale of a coffee shop run by insightful cats.Pub Date: Aug. 25, 2026
Duration: 4 hrs, 34 mins
DD ISBN: 9798217404551
Publisher: Random House Audio
Review Posted Online: Sept. 1, 2026
Kirkus Reviews Issue: Oct. 15, 2026
A must-listen for fantasy lovers.
Lawrence Neale’s narration of this underworld fantasy is so impressive, listeners can almost feel the hot breath of the dragon who lurks below. It’s up to Bait, however, to slay it. After the dragon stole Bait, a human infant, from her crib, she was adopted by goblins, protected by a minotaur, and taught by a talking skull. Despite potentially being a princess, the girl grows up in the dungeon, finding both enemies and chosen family. Torn between two worlds, Bait must ultimately decide who, in fact, are the monsters: the humans who seek to attack the dungeon, or the denizens who live there. The versatility of Neale’s performance takes this book to new heights—or, perhaps, depths.
A must-listen for fantasy lovers.Pub Date: Aug. 11, 2026
Duration: 11 hrs, 51 mins
DD ISBN: 9781668657805
Publisher: Hachette Audio
Review Posted Online: Sept. 12, 2026
© Copyright 2026 Kirkus Media LLC. All Rights Reserved.
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