Stevenson is masterful throughout.
Thanks to veteran actor Juliet Stevenson, this thriller commands the listener’s attention, despite a long lead-up to the explosive events at the heart of the novel. Children’s author Dame Eleanor Kingman is having a blowout birthday party, to which she's invited her friends, dysfunctional family, and a television crew filming a documentary about her. Each of these family members has a secret, and they unravel over the course of the celebration. Then there’s the body on the shore near Eleanor’s house, which various onlookers may have seen—but who is going to share what they know? The plot of this very British family saga may meander, but the resolution is a satisfying one.
Stevenson is masterful throughout.Pub Date: June 9, 2026
Duration: 11 hrs, 41 mins
DD ISBN: 9780063457706
Publisher: Harper Audio
Review Posted Online: today
Anne McCaffrey's matter-of-fact and straightforward storytelling makes credible this tale of a universe being colonized by humans, a few of whom have telekinetic and telepathic powers. Jean Reed-Bahle's skillful narration is as fast-paced as the storyline, and she has a broad range of voices. The use of an echo effect when characters communicate telepathically is appropriate and effective. Brilliance has produced a program that listeners from teenagers to adults will enjoy.
Pub Date: N/A
Duration: 10 hrs
Publisher: Brilliance Audio
Review Posted Online: Jan. 22, 2026
Robin Cook's medical thriller will have a built-in audience which, for the most part, will not be disappointed with this story. Medical Examiner Laurie Montgomery is certain there is a connection in a series of Yuppie deaths. Technically the production is of high quality; no intrusive sound effects or music detract from the listening experience, and the narration is well-paced. However, narrator Peters's British accent and pronunciations are, at best, out of character and are downright ludicrous when she tries to impersonate Italian-American gangsters. The choice of narrator is inexplicable since the story is set in New York, and all major characters are Americans. Regardless, larger collections will want to have this because of Cook's popularity.
Pub Date: N/A
Duration: 12 hrs
Publisher: Books on Tape
Review Posted Online: Jan. 22, 2026
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