Nicol Zanzarella splendidly captures 1890s Chicago and its diverse communities. Listeners meet 21-year-old "Harry" Morrow, who is delighted at being chosen to be the Prescott Agency's first female detective. After enduring prejudice from fellow detectives, Harry visits an elderly woman who claims her maid is missing. Colorful descriptions of buggies, meat plants, streets, and inclement weather enliven the story as Harry investigates on her trusty bicycle. When she meets Agnes's family, Zanzarella deftly provides some Polish phrases and accents. Gradually, Harry's detection skills lead her to enter the gay underground, seeking Agnes's captor. Family life, baked goodies, and phrases such as "unhand me" add a vintage atmosphere. Audio enhances Zanzarella's luminous segues from quiet reactions to life-or-death action, making for a compelling listen.
Pub Date: Feb. 4, 2025
Duration: 9 hrs, 30 mins
DD ISBN: 9798331911942
Publisher: Tantor Media
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
Fans will be pleased with this colorful and fun addition to a popular series.
Sneha Mathan, who has narrated several books in the Perveen Mistry detective series, sets a deliberate pace in the female lawyer’s latest adventure in 1920s Bombay. This time, Perveen acquires a film studio as a client, only to find a murdered guest at a movie screening. Mathan, who has a soothing, midrange voice, honors the author’s formal language with exquisite diction and an unrushed reading. While some may wish to increase the playback speed a bit, the pace gives listeners time to follow the complex plot. A few of the female characters sound confusingly similar, but that’s a quibble. In general, the international cast and disparate personalities are vivid.
Fans will be pleased with this colorful and fun addition to a popular series.Pub Date: March 3, 2026
Duration: 14 hrs
DD ISBN: 9798899746116
Publisher: Recorded Books Inc.
Review Posted Online: April 21, 2026
Kirkus Reviews Issue: June 1, 2026
© Copyright 2026 Kirkus Media LLC. All Rights Reserved.
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