Narrator Gordon Griffin convincingly depicts Shropshire in 1928 for this country-house mystery. Retired businessman Penrose Llewellyn invites his large, dysfunctional family to his 60th birthday celebration. By the time the festivities end, Llewellyn's is murdered. Detective Inspector Reardon and Detective Sergeant Gilmore have their work cut out for them as the restive family protests being detained and repeatedly questioned. Nearly everyone has a motive for the murder. Griffin's best creations are Forester, a bookseller whose grief at learning of Llewellyn's murder is heartbreaking to hear, and greedy, arrogant Huwie, Forester's polar opposite. Hearing historical details about English life between the wars adds interest. Overall, the work is reminiscent of Christie, and its conclusion is surprisingly sad.
Pub Date: Aug. 1, 2016
Duration: 8 hrs, 45 mins
Publisher: ISIS Audio Books
Review Posted Online: Jan. 22, 2026
Novelist Benet Archdale and housemaid Carol Stratford are two young, single parents who have no reason to know each other. They become tangled in a nightmarish spiral of kidnap, fraud, family violence and death. Ruth Rendell creates psychological suspense in thrillers that are compulsively readable or, in this case, listenable. British actress Imelda Staunton's reading is perfectly paced, and the characters are well defined. You'll have a hard time turning it off.
Pub Date: N/A
Duration: 9 hrs
Publisher: BBC Audiobooks America/ Chivers
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
© 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.
