Narrator Barbara McCulloh captures the personality and character of Theodosia Browning, owner of Charleston's Indigo Tea Shop. Theodosia gets a real shock when her Halloween visit to a literary-themed haunted mansion produces a real body. She's barely recovered when her boyfriend, Detective Pete Riley, is shot at the home of the victim. Theodosia is drawn into investigating both crimes. McCulloh captures the sunny disposition of the inquisitive, even nosy, amateur sleuth. McCulloh uses just the occasional accent despite the many characters, but her expressive, resonant voice keeps listeners engaged with the story.
Pub Date: March 2, 2021
Duration: 9 hrs, 30 mins
DD ISBN: 9781980002345
Publisher: Recorded Books Inc.
Review Posted Online: Jan. 22, 2026
This audiobook is evidence that a delightful whodunit is best consumed through the ears.
Set in the glitzy 1970s New York gourmet restaurant scene, this story of food critic Bernice Black’s mystery-solving escapades is well performed by Mozhan Navabi. The novel opens as Navabi affectionately recounts Bernice’s introduction to fine dining through the generosity of her mentor, an over-the-top French chef whom Navabi gives appropriate flair. When Bernice discovers her beloved chef’s severed head in a batch of perfectly prepared aspic, she has the food expertise to find the only other chef capable of making an aspic that divine—and hence, to identify the killer. A sultry writer for a competing magazine tries to beat Bernice to the story, and Navabi delivers the twisty narrative without missing a beat.
This audiobook is evidence that a delightful whodunit is best consumed through the ears.Pub Date: Feb. 3, 2026
Duration: 12 hrs
DD ISBN: 9798217285181
Publisher: Penguin Audio
Review Posted Online: March 10, 2026
Kirkus Reviews Issue: April 15, 2026
Jesse Vilinsky gives a vibrant performance of this delightful cozy mystery featuring a fun romance. Emersyn, who is caring for her young niece after her brother's death, is struggling to keep afloat financially after being swindled by her ex-boyfriend, Hoffman. Emersyn's natural warmth and intelligence come through in Vilinsky's narration as she creates a fictitious detective agency to scare Hoffman into returning the money. Through her efforts she meets the charming Wyatt, whose deep voice and infectious mischievousness convince Emersyn to let him help. When Emersyn's 80-year-old neighbor is accused of murdering their building super, the fictitious agency is hired to investigate. Vilinksy creates an atmospheric listen full of heart, romantic spark, and found family.
Pub Date: Jan. 6, 2026
Duration: 11 hrs
DD ISBN: 9798217159048
Publisher: Random House Audio
Review Posted Online: Jan. 22, 2026
© Copyright 2026 Kirkus Media LLC. All Rights Reserved.
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