Narrator Leonie Elliott skillfully transports listeners to Harlem with an impressive story that contrasts the changes in Black life in the early twentieth century. In 1936, as jazz singer Lena Aldrich sails from England to New York, she encounters shipboard musician William Goodman. She gratefully accepts his offer to stay with his family as she searches for information about her late father, Alfie. In flashbacks, Elliott superbly portrays Alfie, a pianist who encounters racial barriers as he pursues a musical career in 1908. Lena's perceptions of the city, her new friends, and the truths about Alfie are well rendered. Dramatic depictions of the Harlem Renaissance, rent parties, and the Apollo Club are engaging. Audio enhances a story replete with lively dialogue, descriptions, and atmosphere.
Pub Date: Aug. 29, 2023
Duration: 11 hrs, 30 mins
DD ISBN: 9780593684504
Publisher: Penguin Audio
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
This isn’t a spy novel, but a cozy English mystery, and Hardingham’s narration reflects that gentler genre.
This true story of one chapter in the life of a notorious female Soviet spy is told by her friendly neighbor in a sleepy village in the Cotswolds. Young Gemma moves out of London seeking a fresh start, community, and a room of her own in which to read her beloved mystery novels. She finds herself drawn to fellow villager Ursula Beurton, whose hint of an accent and unusual daily rhythms set her apart. Gemma becomes an amateur detective, eagerly spotting clues. The listener experiences Ursula’s dangerous world of espionage at a pleasant remove, ensconced in Fiona Hardingham’s sweet, pretty delivery of Gemma’s inner monologue.
This isn’t a spy novel, but a cozy English mystery, and Hardingham’s narration reflects that gentler genre.Pub Date: Oct. 6, 2026
Duration: 9 hrs, 3 mins
DD ISBN: 9781400352593
Publisher: Harper Audio
Review Posted Online: Oct. 20, 2026
Kirkus Reviews Issue: Dec. 1, 2026
© Copyright 2026 Kirkus Media LLC. All Rights Reserved.
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