Narrator Katie Firth perfectly matches the excitement and subterfuge of this historical novel. Reilly mixes the reliable Elizabeth Tudor with the more novel setting of the Ottoman Empire for a story that thrills all the way through--despite the implausibility of a young Elizabeth traveling to Constantinople for a chess tournament. Fans of Nancy Bilyeau's Joanna Stafford series will love the story, which is only improved by Firth's able narration. Firth's performance seems consistent with what we know of Elizabeth's personality, helping to keep this fictional story rooted in historical realities. Listeners who love their historical fiction with a bit of mystery will find this a thoroughly engaging listen.
Pub Date: July 21, 2015
Duration: 9 hrs, 45 mins
DD ISBN: 9781442391307
Publisher: Simon & Schuster Audio
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.
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