Although the Borgia family holds the papacy and parts of Italy, the pope's son Juan is murdered in 1497. When suspicion falls on Damiata, a courtesan, she is forced to clear her name and find the true killer. Actress Carlotta Montanari narrates Damiata's story with a noticeable accent that is difficult to understand. In addition, her weak characterizations and odd pauses pull listeners from the plot, disrupting their concentration. Narrator Adrian Paul reads the second half of the novel, told from Machiavelli's viewpoint. The appearance of fascinating historical figures is not enough to keep listeners from being distracted by Paul's overly dramatic narration and his high-pitched vocalization of several male characters. The introduction, section openers, and epilogue are beautifully read by John Lee and Fred Sanders.
Pub Date: Sept. 11, 2012
Duration: 15 hrs
DD ISBN: 9780449012840
Publisher: Random House 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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