Pete Cross provides a suitably lighthearted narration for this quirky, twisty, high-flying murder mystery set in a circus called Mysterium. This second installment in the Hayden and Friends mystery series follows a pint-sized gay middle-school teacher, Hayden, and his best friend, Hollister, as they seek the culprit in the murder of one of the circus performers. Although Cross's accents falter at times, he still provides enough variation among characters to allow the listener to follow the twists and turns of the plot. With its wide array of diverse characters, this cozy mystery is a fun addition to the emerging body of queer fiction.
Pub Date: March 5, 2024
Duration: 7 hrs, 30 mins
DD ISBN: 9781666656442
Publisher: Dreamscape
Review Posted Online: Jan. 22, 2026
Listeners are in excellent hands.
Nicola Walker brings the perfect vocal touch to the second in Osman’s We Solve Murders series. Her friendly voice perfectly matches the tone of this murder mystery, whether she’s depicting Rosie’s seductive mid-Atlantic drawl or Steve and his mates in the village pub. Walker even throws in a convincing Graham Norton impression. The plot twists are as good as ever, with laugh-out-loud moments as well as some high drama and just a little suspense. With bodies aplenty but no violence, the action moves smoothly from Tuscany to Palm Springs, California and back to the New Forest, as if we were all flying in Rosie’s private jet.
Listeners are in excellent hands.Pub Date: Sept. 15, 2026
Duration: 10 hrs, 21 mins
DD ISBN: 9798217166657
Publisher: Penguin Audio
Review Posted Online: Oct. 7, 2026
Kirkus Reviews Issue: Nov. 15, 2026
Atherton’s deft performance speedily moves this mystery along toward its intense conclusion.
Kristin Atherton sounds like a full cast in this clever whodunit. A chilling prologue recounts the 1966 death of rock star “Monty” Montrose. Sixty years later, celebrity ghostwriter Lyssa Moore receives a commission to investigate Monty’s life and the questions surrounding her death. Lyssa interviews all those still alive who remember Monty, opening a convoluted can of worms. Since those interviewed are older, their memories are questionable. Finding herself in danger, Lyssa wonders if she’s taken on too much or whether she’s just being paranoid. Atherton is masterful delivering a wide range of voices and accents, keeping the large cast of possible suspects easily identifiable.
Atherton’s deft performance speedily moves this mystery along toward its intense conclusion.Pub Date: Aug. 1, 2026
Duration: 9 hrs
DD ISBN: 9781511389969
Publisher: Brilliance Audio
Review Posted Online: July 28, 2026
Kirkus Reviews Issue: Sept. 15, 2026
© Copyright 2026 Kirkus Media LLC. All Rights Reserved.
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