Chandler's flawed hero, Philip Marlowe, was the role model for Parker's Spenser. Marlowe operates in 1940s Los Angeles. Tough and literate, he has a dry, cynical sense of humor, and he's a magnet for women. Elliott Gould has portrayed him in the movies and read several of his adventures (LADY IN THE LAKE, LONG GOODBYE) for New Millennium. Now he takes the listener through LA's seamy side in a quest for an ex-con's missing girlfriend. Gould's tone is unemotional, almost deadpan, even when delivering a funny remark or description. He doesn't voice other characters, but this is appropriate since it's Marlowe's story all the way. Prepare to encounter some violence, hard-to-swallow coincidences, and non-PC epithets. Mystery buffs should like this presentation.
Pub Date: Jan. 22, 2002
Duration: 7 hrs, 30 mins
Publisher: Phoenix Audio
Review Posted Online: Jan. 22, 2026
In the latest Kinsey Millhone mystery, Kinsey is hired by an aged, wealthy man to retrieve his daughter from prison, where she has served time for embezzlement. Kinsey quickly figures out that the girl isn’t an embezzler but instead has done time for her money-laundering boss. All heck breaks loose. Judy Kaye has a warm, rich voice that seems just right for Grafton’s P.I. Her delivery mirrors the smart-aleck tenor of much of Kinsey’s dialogue. Strangely though, when Kaye is interpreting a male character (and there are many), she raises her voice to a higher register, so that many of the men sound like adolescents with changing voices, or worse, like chipmunks. It may be Kaye’s subtle social comment, though. For once the listener adapts, this odd gender reversal seems natural.
Pub Date: July 13, 2004
Duration: 10 hrs, 30 mins
Publisher: N/A
Review Posted Online: Jan. 22, 2026
Benedict Juliard, forced from steeplechase racing, becomes increasingly involved in politics and protecting his father's life. Prebble's relaxed but masterful command of characters allows an easy flow during conversations, as well as the sudden transformations from narrative to action scenes. His clear, precise speech; polished style of delivery; and sense of timing give a steady consistency and excellence to his reading. Prebble carries the main characters with ease, but he seems to delight in performing the secondary characters, who feature a great variety of accents to match their roles. Another polished performance by a master of reading.
Pub Date: Jan. 22, 1998
Duration: 7 hrs, 30 mins
Publisher: Recorded Books Inc.
Review Posted Online: Jan. 22, 2026
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