Two corpses turn up in rapid succession in an English village, and Chief Inspector Wexford must unravel the mystery of how they got there, whether they're related, and who did what to whom. Simon Vance performs this latest Ruth Rendell mystery with a blend of spirited adventure and subdued reverence. Vance imparts enough variation to the story's heroes and villains that a listener new to the series can easily differentiate among them. His portrayal of protagonist Wexford adds to the mature, somewhat tired, character created by Rendell, giving the middle-aged protagonist both the vulnerability of age and the strength of a lawman. Those familiar with Wexford will not be disappointed, and newcomers will be inspired to try more.
Pub Date: Feb. 4, 2008
Duration: 8 hrs, 45 mins
Publisher: Books on Tape
Review Posted Online: Jan. 22, 2026
In the latest Kinsey Millhone mystery, Kinsey is hired by an aged, wealthy man to retrieve his daughter from prison, where she has served time for embezzlement. Kinsey quickly figures out that the girl isn’t an embezzler but instead has done time for her money-laundering boss. All heck breaks loose. Judy Kaye has a warm, rich voice that seems just right for Grafton’s P.I. Her delivery mirrors the smart-aleck tenor of much of Kinsey’s dialogue. Strangely though, when Kaye is interpreting a male character (and there are many), she raises her voice to a higher register, so that many of the men sound like adolescents with changing voices, or worse, like chipmunks. It may be Kaye’s subtle social comment, though. For once the listener adapts, this odd gender reversal seems natural.
Pub Date: July 13, 2004
Duration: 10 hrs, 30 mins
Publisher: N/A
Review Posted Online: Jan. 22, 2026
Benedict Juliard, forced from steeplechase racing, becomes increasingly involved in politics and protecting his father's life. Prebble's relaxed but masterful command of characters allows an easy flow during conversations, as well as the sudden transformations from narrative to action scenes. His clear, precise speech; polished style of delivery; and sense of timing give a steady consistency and excellence to his reading. Prebble carries the main characters with ease, but he seems to delight in performing the secondary characters, who feature a great variety of accents to match their roles. Another polished performance by a master of reading.
Pub Date: Jan. 22, 1998
Duration: 7 hrs, 30 mins
Publisher: Recorded Books Inc.
Review Posted Online: Jan. 22, 2026
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