Narrator Marni Penning shows off her acting skills in this convoluted murder mystery set at Astwell Palace in 1784. When clever, curious 40-year-old Miss Tiffany Woodall discovers her half-brother Uriah's dead body, she dons his clothes, and identity as castle librarian to forestall the loss of her cottage. With a second, then a third poisoning, Tiffany and Constable Samir Lathrop team up to identify the killer. While the plot is a little confusing, Penning is always cognizant of who's speaking, smoothly shifting from Tiffany to Uriah and back. From dual identities to poisonings, from secret lovers to shifting loyalties, this historical mystery engages the listener as Penning's slightly growly, emotion-laden voice captures the intrigue and underlying humor woven throughout.
Pub Date: May 16, 2023
Duration: 9 hrs, 30 mins
DD ISBN: 9781666633559
Publisher: Dreamscape
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
Fans will be pleased with this colorful and fun addition to a popular series.
Sneha Mathan, who has narrated several books in the Perveen Mistry detective series, sets a deliberate pace in the female lawyer’s latest adventure in 1920s Bombay. This time, Perveen acquires a film studio as a client, only to find a murdered guest at a movie screening. Mathan, who has a soothing, midrange voice, honors the author’s formal language with exquisite diction and an unrushed reading. While some may wish to increase the playback speed a bit, the pace gives listeners time to follow the complex plot. A few of the female characters sound confusingly similar, but that’s a quibble. In general, the international cast and disparate personalities are vivid.
Fans will be pleased with this colorful and fun addition to a popular series.Pub Date: March 3, 2026
Duration: 14 hrs
DD ISBN: 9798899746116
Publisher: Recorded Books Inc.
Review Posted Online: April 21, 2026
Kirkus Reviews Issue: June 1, 2026
© Copyright 2026 Kirkus Media LLC. All Rights Reserved.
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