Ellie Robbins is a shy wife and mother in the Appalachian Mountains in 1930s Tennessee, where the locals cling to their superstitions, folklore, and traditions. Narrator Candace Thaxton deftly portrays the hill country atmosphere and unique characters of the Depression era. When Ellie's husband dies suddenly, she becomes sheriff to finish out his term, a role she is not prepared for and doesn't want. Thaxton imbues the story with Ellie's emotions as she recounts events at a comfortable pace. Especially well portrayed are Ellie's conflicted feelings as she's torn between society's expectations of her as a woman and her new obligations as sheriff, which include executing a convicted prisoner. Listeners will enjoy the musical quality of the prose as captured in Thaxton's reading.
Pub Date: May 10, 2016
Duration: 11 hrs
DD ISBN: 9781442397484
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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