Holmes's mystery is saturated in noir ambiance and swing music, which, charmingly, contains clues. Patrick Lawlor's opening narration lulls the listener into the idyllic innocence of pre-WWII San Francisco, but war drums are beating in Japan and Europe, and we are one year away from the attack on Pearl Harbor. With subtle tonal changes, Lawlor introduces the harsh cacophony of discord then, with snappy dialogue, builds the momentum to a frenetic pace as we find ourselves hoping against hope that our hero will survive, get the girl, and prevent an international catastrophe. The mystery is great fun; the music terrific.
Pub Date: Feb. 4, 2005
Duration: 11 hrs
Publisher: Tantor Media
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
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