Known as the “Fairytale King,” Ludwig II of Bavaria drowned amid mysterious circumstances. Oliver Potzsch uses this piece of history to create a murder mystery that takes the listener from the present to the past and back again. Narrator Simon Vance propels the story with his rich tone and subtle phrasing as he brings the listener intimately into the action of the plot. As the present-day art historian Sara Lengfeld and book antiquarian Steven Lukas become entwined in a murder, they must solve a mystery surrounding King Ludwig. Vance’s proficient vocal ability brings the king to life and smoothly connects the actions of the main characters.
Pub Date: Sept. 3, 2013
Duration: 13 hrs, 15 mins
DD ISBN: 9781622311996
Publisher: HighBridge 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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