Kathleen Garrett narrates the second in this entertaining mystery series featuring Nonna Maria, a septuagenarian sleuth who is clever, straight talking, and feisty. On the Italian island of Ischia, which draws wealthy tourists, two crimes come to Nonna Maria's attention. A murder is discovered, and a hotel guest accuses a maid, Nonna Maria's goddaughter, of stealing a valuable necklace. Nonna Maria assists the police in the murder investigation while setting out to prove the tourist's claim of theft is a scam. Garrett excels at the tourist's histrionics, making her outrage wonderfully over-the-top. When Nonna Maria questions a local witch about the murdered woman, Garrett makes both women's suspicions chillingly clear. With her Italian-accented English sounding so real, Garrett makes this fun story even better.
Pub Date: May 2, 2023
Duration: 7 hrs, 15 mins
DD ISBN: 9780593668511
Publisher: Random House Audio
Review Posted Online: Jan. 22, 2026
As the clues accumulate, McLaren maintains the momentum.
Todd McLaren narrates with a steady, controlled delivery that supports this police procedural full of mounting tension. Hugo, a former federal profiler who now runs a bookshop in Paris, is pulled back into investigative work when a threatening message targets an executive at a luxury confectionery company. McLaren shapes Hugo’s perspective with measured phrasing that reflects his analytical thinking and professional habits. He gives secondary characters distinct vocal patterns through shifts in tempo and emphasis, allowing conversations to unfold at a quick pace while keeping listeners engaged, and he smoothly transitions between interviews, discoveries, and reflection.
As the clues accumulate, McLaren maintains the momentum.Pub Date: March 31, 2026
Duration: 11 hrs
DD ISBN: 9798318551444
Publisher: Tantor Media
Review Posted Online: April 1, 2026
A cozy crime mystery ideal for a fireside listen on a dark night with a hot toddy for company.
Emilia Fox rises to the challenge of creating a dozen or more voices to tell this intriguing murder mystery. Freya Lockwood and her aunt Carole are antique hunters working in league with the FBI, tracking down the source of three forged paintings recently shipped to the United States. A Scottish castle, concealed identities, and a couple of bodies make for a good yarn—not one to be taken too seriously, but reasonably compelling. Fox is on more stable vocal ground with Freya, Carole, and assorted Scots than she is with Phil, the FBI agent, but she keeps a firm grip on the plot and moves along at a good pace.
A cozy crime mystery ideal for a fireside listen on a dark night with a hot toddy for company.Pub Date: March 17, 2026
Duration: 11 hrs, 2 mins
DD ISBN: 9781668103067
Publisher: Simon & Schuster Audio
Review Posted Online: March 25, 2026
Kirkus Reviews Issue: May 1, 2026
© Copyright 2026 Kirkus Media LLC. All Rights Reserved.
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