Inspired by a true event--the 1911 murder of muckraking writer David Graham Phillips--this well-researched mystery casts author Edith Wharton as a reluctant detective probing the death and life of a man she abhorred. Kitty Hendrix performs in a low-register breathy voice that emphasizes Wharton's mix of high-society manners and fierce determination. Her moderate pace allows listeners time to soak up the book's many period details. It also underscores the formality of the writing, which sometimes seems to reflect Wharton's own style. As Wharton investigates, she enlists the help of her friend Henry James and lover Morton Fullerton, adding to the historical fun. While Hendrix's heavy breathing occasionally distracts, this is a satisfying period mystery set in a colorful milieu.
Pub Date: Jan. 23, 2024
Duration: 8 hrs, 45 mins
DD ISBN: 9781666653922
Publisher: Dreamscape
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
In Degas’ company, the Inklings have an adventure to die for.
Rupert Degas’ rich baritone voice, which evokes fireplaces and peaty whiskey, is a fine choice for Kelly’s atmospheric historical mystery, set in 1936 England. When followers of a secret spiritualist society start dying, Sir Arthur Conan Doyle, the creator of Sherlock Holmes, asks members of Oxford’s most famous literary group for help. Surely the Inklings, including J.R.R. Tolkien and C.S. Lewis and their associates Dorothy L. Sayers and Agatha Christie, can catch the killer. Degas’ enthusiasm celebrates the story’s cinematic details. His precision keeps the complex plot clear. And his nuanced characterizations, including Doyle’s Scottish accent and Tolkien’s pell-mell conversational style, put listeners square in the middle of the action.
In Degas’ company, the Inklings have an adventure to die for.Pub Date: May 5, 2026
Duration: 9 hrs, 49 mins
DD ISBN: 9798217279012
Publisher: Random House Audio
Review Posted Online: June 2, 2026
Kirkus Reviews Issue: July 15, 2026
© Copyright 2026 Kirkus Media LLC. All Rights Reserved.
Follow
Popular in this Genre
We can’t wait for you to join Kirkus!
It’s free and takes less than 10 seconds!
Already have an account? Log in.
OR
Sign in with GoogleTrouble signing in? Retrieve credentials.
Welcome Back!
OR
Sign in with GoogleTrouble signing in? Retrieve credentials.
