Paul Michael demonstrates the special allure of a narrator who adeptly performs Russian accents. Plus, when Michael’s efforts are combined with novelist Sam Eastland’s captivating plot, the result is thoroughly entertaining. The book centers on Stalin’s efforts to discover Tsar Nicholas II’s missing gold. To do so, Stalin sends investigator Pekkala undercover to Siberia, where he must befriend a group of convicts who allegedly know the location of the valuable stash. Of course, the story turns out to be far more complex, making it difficult for Pekkala not only to locate the truth but also to be certain where his loyalties lie. Michael’s use of accents complements the dialogue and leaves the listener anticipating every scene and the book’s memorable conclusion.
Pub Date: Feb. 28, 2012
Duration: 9 hrs
DD ISBN: 9780307970077
Publisher: Random House Audio
Review Posted Online: Jan. 22, 2026
Ayla, one of the "others," is adopted by a clan of Neanderthal cave people. She struggles to conform to their ways, but her advanced human traits overwhelm and threaten their primitive culture in this initial installment of an immensely popular series. Although the story might benefit from abridgment, Rowena Cooper easily carries out the formidable task of enlivening the mostly silent and stereotypical characters with consistent, diverse personalities and human dimension. Through skillful phrasing and inflection, she maintains the reader's interest and suspense, especially with Ayla and her plight, throughout this rambling and imaginative story.
Pub Date: N/A
Duration: 22 hrs
Publisher: BBC Audiobooks America/ Chivers
Review Posted Online: Jan. 22, 2026
This lyrical, sensual novel of woman's lot in Manchu, China, is as well researched as it is well written. Authentic in tone, it's nonetheless written for Westerners by a Western expert on China. Moreover, Susan Clark performs the demanding text superbly, with only occasional signs of fatigue. For the most part she not only sustains the quaint diction and Asian atmosphere, but also, creates whole worlds with her voice. She acts the book, rather than reads it, and, in so doing, turns a pretty trifle into a stupendous beauty.
Pub Date: N/A
Duration: 4 hrs, 30 mins
Publisher: Audio Literature
Review Posted Online: Jan. 22, 2026
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