Narrator Tara Sands uses just the right sarcastic tone to represent the voice of 16-year-old Lucy Clark. Recently suspended from her boarding school in Texas, Lucy is sent to New York City for some character-building. She is to help care for elderly Edith Fox. Sands's cruel portrait of headmistress Miss Leary makes for a wonderful contrast with the wit of Lucy's voice and the warm welcome of Edith Fox. Tender memories of Lucy's loving grandmother vie with the coldness of her busy parents. Sands differentiates the large cast of characters while ratcheting up the suspense of who is trying to kill Edith. Throughout, she remains focused on Lucy's growing agency with respect to who she is and what she wants in life.
(Mystery. 14-18)Pub Date: May 11, 2021
Duration: 9 hrs, 15 mins
DD ISBN: 9780063011731
Publisher: Harper Audio
Review Posted Online: Jan. 22, 2026
Meskimen drops listeners solidly into the depths of teenage despair and hope in this thrilling, futuristic ride.
Taylor Meskimen channels teenage angst to tell this story of former best friends. Wealthy Madison rules the school, and only special friends warrant an invitation to her exclusive birthday party, held in a virtual-reality world. When social outcast Bree receives an invitation, is it to make amends or to seek revenge? Meskimen hits every heightened emotional note, from the haughty tones of a spoiled queen bee to the wheedling voices of sycophants. She flavors her narration with a perfect blend of reactions that lend authenticity to her performance: scoffs, screeching laughter, and hisses of rage.
Meskimen drops listeners solidly into the depths of teenage despair and hope in this thrilling, futuristic ride. (Thriller. 14-18)Pub Date: Feb. 24, 2026
Duration: 6 hrs, 30 mins
DD ISBN: 9798217280803
Publisher: Listening Library
Review Posted Online: March 10, 2026
Santana’s ability to maneuver through multiple layers of this gripping mystery will win over listeners.
This grisly young adult thriller is skillfully delivered by André Santana, accompanied by a cast. It's been five years since the Trojan Murders in Moss Pointe that took the lives of four high school football players, and hometown journalist Pryce is out to prove that the killer was set up by someone else. Santana’s honest depiction of Pryce makes him a determined and relatable protagonist. While the writing moves quickly, Santana’s smooth performance keeps pace, delivering plenty of emotional beats and shocking twists. Sections of the audiobook including snippets of a podcast about the case feature additional narrators, making for a fuller listening experience.
Santana’s ability to maneuver through multiple layers of this gripping mystery will win over listeners. (Mystery. 14-18)Pub Date: Jan. 20, 2026
Duration: 10 hrs
DD ISBN: 9798217172078
Publisher: Listening Library
Review Posted Online: March 3, 2026
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