Susan Ericksen is an accomplished narrator, but her performance of this latest Kay Scarpetta mystery is surprisingly flat. A plodding story, dominated by large sections devoted to background information or to Dr. Kay's inner musings, offers little action or intensity for Ericksen to work with. Even when the drama eventually escalates, Ericksen's delivery seems stuck at low speed. A lack of variation frequently makes it difficult for the listener to identify the different characters or to differentiate between Scarpetta's thoughts and actual conversations. What dialogue does occur is delivered mostly at a shout, with exchanges between Scarpetta and investigator Marino being particularly grating. Eriksen's and Cornwell's proven talents make this lackluster production all the more disappointing.
Pub Date: 2015
Duration: 15 hrs
DD ISBN: 9780062325457
Publisher: Harper Audio
Review Posted Online: Jan. 22, 2026
Part of the joy of Tom Clancy novels is one's belief that the stories could come true. His latest entry stretches that some as we find international terrorists building a nuclear bomb which is used to set Americans and Russians against one another. Jay Robertson reads with a newscaster's voice, crisp and clear with a light touch of drama. However, he does little to help listeners identify Clancy's huge cast of characters, and dialects seem difficult for him as he occasionally slips in and out of character. Nonetheless, patient listeners are rewarded as the plot unfolds. This will be a welcome addition to any library justifying the price of the multi-cassettte volumes.
Pub Date: N/A
Duration: 16 hrs
Publisher: Books on Tape
Review Posted Online: Jan. 22, 2026
Grisham's story of the murder of two disparate Supreme Court Justices has a scope that could make abridgment difficult. Fortunately, all the plot threads are in place here: the sexual trysts, the murder investigation, and the political maneuverings which extend from the White House to the cloistered halls of the Supreme Court itself. A story this big has to be fun, and it is. While the reading seems tight at first, actor Anthony Heald soon warms to the material. Or perhaps the breakneck pace of the story takes over. The tapes are crisp and clear, and occasional music accentuates the suspense--adding to the fun.
Pub Date: N/A
Duration: 5 hrs
DD ISBN: 0553750933
Publisher: Random House Audio
Review Posted Online: Jan. 22, 2026
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