In addition to two successful, critically acclaimed mystery series, Laurie King writes psychological thrillers, of which KEEPING WATCH is the newest. In it she juxtaposes an emotionally damaged Vietnam War veteran who saves abused children and a 12-year-old boy whom he rescues. Then she throws them into a nightmare situation that requires all their survival instincts and ingenuity to escape. Full of Vietnam War flashbacks, the story is vivid, involving, and suspenseful. Richard Ferrone has been acclaimed for his "voice noir" delivery, which he uses to full effect here. It's intense, at once gritty and nasal, with little variation in tone--a voice that some listeners love and others can't listen to for long. This reviewer finds Ferrone's lack of tonal variation tiring but admires his emotional reading and vocal characterization. It's worth a listen and is guaranteed to keep you on the edge of your seat.
Pub Date: Feb. 4, 2003
Duration: 16 hrs, 15 mins
Publisher: Recorded Books Inc.
Review Posted Online: Jan. 22, 2026
Part of the joy of Tom Clancy novels is one's belief that the stories could come true. His latest entry stretches that some as we find international terrorists building a nuclear bomb which is used to set Americans and Russians against one another. Jay Robertson reads with a newscaster's voice, crisp and clear with a light touch of drama. However, he does little to help listeners identify Clancy's huge cast of characters, and dialects seem difficult for him as he occasionally slips in and out of character. Nonetheless, patient listeners are rewarded as the plot unfolds. This will be a welcome addition to any library justifying the price of the multi-cassettte volumes.
Pub Date: N/A
Duration: 16 hrs
Publisher: Books on Tape
Review Posted Online: Jan. 22, 2026
John Sanford is back with another psychological thriller in his Prey series. Surgeon, psychopath and serial killer Bekker is on the loose again after the easiest jailbreak in recent memory. Ken Howard's reading moves along with all the brooding energy a reader could want from a suspense book. His narration is deep, clear and well-suited to the gravelly voices of retired detective Lucas Davenport and the other cops. While Howard manages good dialects and shifts in character, his female voices leave a lot to be desired. For the most part, the abridgment gleefully throws logic and characterization overboard in favor of thrills, but the basic flavor of many characters is still fairly well maintained.
Pub Date: N/A
Duration: 3 hrs
Publisher: Harper Audio
Review Posted Online: Jan. 22, 2026
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