Primavera Blackstone miraculously survives a plane crash and manages to remain undiscovered on a coastal island because she suspects her ex-husband, Oz, arranged to have her killed. Narrator Hilary Neville's skilled presentation somewhat rescues this corny, coincidence-driven melodrama with her charming Spanish and Scottish accents and lovely descriptions of coastal Spain. She also delivers an excellent portrayal of Primavera’s 7-year-old son, Tom. However, most of the characters are not well drawn enough to elicit the listener’s concern for them. It's too bad, since the original Oz Blackstone mysteries were well received despite being a bit over the top. Primavera suffers a different fate, including an unsurprising surprise ending.
Pub Date: Jan. 22, 2010
Duration: 10 hrs
Publisher: ISIS Audio Books
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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