The stories in this collection mark the first appearances of series private detectives in short stories. Some were their first appearances in print; some stories followed the first novel featuring the character. Well-known genre authors represented here include Sara Paretsky, Loren D. Estleman, Sue Grafton and Bill Pronzini. An interesting feature of this production is the participation of a full cast of Recorded Books narrators as each story is read by a different performer. Each is well matched to the story; in some cases, the story's reader also performs the Recorded Books versions of the author's novels. Using different narrators for each story is a great idea as the listener always has a new voice to look forward to. It also helps keep the stories from running together. This refreshingly different approach results in another winner from Recorded Books.
Pub Date: Jan. 22, 1996
Duration: 8 hrs
Publisher: Recorded Books Inc.
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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