Simon Vance does miraculous things with this compelling, if derivative, religious conspiracy thriller. A robed, hooded figure stands atop a cliff, his body making the sign of the cross. To onlookers’ shocked eyes, he flings himself into the abyss. And that’s only the beginning. There’s a mysterious secret promising a world-shaking revelation, a hunt through archival materials in a secret library, the re-examination of the Bible, and a cult of militant monks who will stop at nothing to keep the secret. Vance is impressive in providing a multitude of voices for characters who range from from clerics to strong women to ordinary folk—with each portrayal utterly credible in character and gender. Toyne’s novel might trip over its eagerness to emulate Dan Brown, but Vance saves it, making it convincing, if not completely plausible.
Pub Date: Jan. 22, 2011
Duration: 12 hrs
DD ISBN: 9780062097378
Publisher: Harper Audio
Review Posted Online: Jan. 22, 2026
C.J. Box writes about life in wild Wyoming, short stories of people living a rugged life by choice or by circumstance. David Chandler narrates in a rough-edged whiskey voice that suggests summer heat, bitter winters, and windswept prairies, guiding the listener through 10 adventures of men like Fish and Game Officer Joe Pickett. Chandler brings the listener into this strange world where, more often than not, men have to create their own justice. His performance of the economical stories, some rarely seen, is perfect. The tale of the frozen body of a Native American basketball player turned speed freak, her arm reaching through the ice of a lake in a final jump shot, is one of the most fascinating in the collection.
Pub Date: N/A
Duration: 7 hrs, 30 mins
DD ISBN: 9781470392796
Publisher: Recorded Books Inc.
Review Posted Online: Jan. 22, 2026
Dirk Pitt, intrepid adventurer and master explorer, searches the Sahara for the deadly toxin that is killing marine life world wide. This audio, abridged by Harold Schmidt, lacks most of the adventure, as well as the humor, of Cussler's novels. Narrator Tom Wopat brings an unconventional vocal slant to the ever-cocky Pitt. Using lots of vocal characterization, Wopat brings across the smug brashness of Pitt and handles dialogue briskly. Enhanced by sound effects and small pieces of music, this is an interesting and perplexing mystery.
Pub Date: N/A
Duration: 3 hrs
Publisher: Simon & Schuster
Review Posted Online: Jan. 22, 2026
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