Through the character of Baroness Ida Jack Troutbeck, the author takes unabashed and politically incorrect aim at conceptual art—with hilarious results. English narrator Wanda McCaddon skillfully delivers dramatic accents, Russian, Albanian, and even a commendable American accent. She best conveys Jack's infectious laughter. Soon after publicly skewering conceptual art, some of its prominent artists disappear, seemingly having been kidnapped. Then Jack disappears, as well. As she awaits rescue, Jack keeps her spirits up by reciting poetry, Shakespeare, and even nursery rhymes—all of which McCaddon delivers with perfection. The conclusion guarantees that listeners will never view modern art in the same way again.
Pub Date: Oct. 2, 2012
Duration: 6 hrs, 45 mins
DD ISBN: 9781470810184
Publisher: Blackstone Audio
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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