Michael Genelin’s Slovakian setting for this series is fascinating, and Commander Jana Matinova (Police Inspector to you) is an appealing character. Fourth in this series but the first to be recorded, the book is brought to life by the cool, somber voice of Suzanne Toren. When linked murders take Jana to Berlin and Paris, she is at a disadvantage both because she is female and because she is Slovakian; it’s interesting to see Western Europe through her eyes. She must also snoop deep into Slovakia’s dark Soviet past, which, given the politburo atmosphere of her police department, doesn’t seem very long gone. If the plotting sometimes creaks, the novelty of the setting compensates, and Toren handles many different accents and personalities, both sprightly and lumpen, with skillful aplomb.
Pub Date: Jan. 22, 2011
Duration: 12 hrs
DD ISBN: 9781609983505
Publisher: AudioGo
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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