Reg Wexford, Rendell's long-admired detective inspector of Kingsmarkham (since 1964), has retired and now lives part time in London, where he becomes involved in a gruesome discovery: Three old corpses and a newer one are found in a coal bin. The carefully structured plot unfolds neatly. Narrator Steven Crossley gives longtime Wexford enthusiasts a vivid presentation of the detective we’ve come to love. The other characters—nasty neighbors, fussy family members, vicious thugs, exploited Eastern European girls, and other Londoners—are convincingly portrayed and distinctive. It’s good to light upon Reg and family again, especially as they are illuminated by the talents of Steven Crossley.
Pub Date: Sept. 13, 2011
Duration: 8 hrs, 45 mins
DD ISBN: 9781442341982
Publisher: Simon & Schuster 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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