Max Barry's satire is set in a Ralph Nader nightmare. It's the near-future in the Australian Territories of the U.S. The government has been privatized. The entire world (except France) is run by Big Business, and the term "corporate conscience" remains an oxymoron. In Barry's world, hostile takeovers mean real war between rival companies. His highly original characters are the comic book equivalent of American consumerism. Michael Kramer gives a terrific performance. He makes Buy Mitsui, millionaire nice-guy, sound like a gentle bear. Jennifer Government, federal agent with a barcode tattooed on her cheekbone, sounds steely and paranoid. Hack Nike, hapless pawn in a game of Ultimate Chess, is convincingly bewildered. Kramer gets right into the wacky sensibilities of the author, and the results are tremendous fun. S.J.H. 2005 YALSA Selection (c) AudioFile 2003, Portland, Maine
Pub Date: Jan. 22, 2003
Duration: 9 hrs
Publisher: Books on Tape
Review Posted Online: Jan. 22, 2026
Escape on a thrilling adventure with Soneela Nankani and Andrew Eiden as they narrate this suspenseful romance. A year has passed since Simi Chopra, her assorted crew, and Jack Danger pulled off a lucrative diamond heist. Now, the Chicago Mafia boss is demanding that the jewels be returned, so Simi gets the team back together. Nankani delivers an expressive performance that emphasizes Simi's conflict between her passion for Jack and the mission. Her distinct character voices keep the listener fully immersed. Eiden's lively tone gives Jack a subtle flair and confidence that make him easy to forgive and to love.
Pub Date: Aug. 20, 2024
Duration: 11 hrs, 15 mins
DD ISBN: 9780593907467
Publisher: Penguin Audio
Review Posted Online: Jan. 22, 2026
This is not a story about guns, but about blue pearls. Gerald Browne takes us to the Pacific Ocean and the world of pearl divers and natural gems and mixes in mystery, intrigue and suspense. Barry Bostwick portrays the characters in one voice, varying his intonation slightly for the Asian personalities. His reading style is very smooth, evidence of preparation and interest in the story. 18mm Blues is abridged well, collecting the important elements of the story. Unobtrusive music indicates the end of each side. Disappear into the mystery of the Far East and one of its most beautiful commodities.
Pub Date: Jan. 22, 1993
Duration: 3 hrs
Publisher: Audio Renaissance
Review Posted Online: Jan. 22, 2026
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