Series narrator Kirsten Potter does her usual exceptional work in the fourth mystery in the Pentecost & Parker series. In 1947 Manhattan, Vera Bodine has gone missing. She's elderly, and an invalid now. But the fact that she once had a photographic memory and that her early life was fraught with enemies might be connected to her disappearance. As Willowjean "Will" Parker, Potter is appropriately wisecracking and sharp-tongued. Potter's elegant and authoritative portrayal of Lillian Pentecost, Will's boss, befits the woman who is thought to be New York City's greatest detective. Secrets, betrayals, murder, and Nazi-hunting are all crammed (perhaps a little too tightly?) into this episode. But Potter's spot-on performance makes this adventure of the intelligent, introspective, insightful detecting duo worth a listen.
Pub Date: Dec. 5, 2023
Duration: 10 hrs, 15 mins
DD ISBN: 9780593749081
Publisher: Random House Audio
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
A heartwarming and exuberant listening pleasure.
Ell Potter’s British accent is just a bit posh—perfect for this charming academic spy romp set at Oxford University after WWII. Students Sidney and Gin are desperate to avoid their fates. For Sidney, that’s a job in the mines and nightmares about his experiences in the war. For Gin, it’s being married off by her father to an insufferable rich boy. When a school librarian who was gathering intelligence on Soviet spies is murdered, they both get recruited by “the Rook,” an MI5 operative, to investigate. Sidney and Gin detest each other, but romantic sparks fly as they shadow suspects, decode messages, and get into scrapes. Potter knows it’s great fun, and she runs with the witty banter, wordplay, and quirky characters that Westbury gives her.
A heartwarming and exuberant listening pleasure.Pub Date: Sept. 1, 2026
Duration: 10 hrs, 35 mins
DD ISBN: 9781250471147
Publisher: Macmillan Audio
Review Posted Online: Oct. 7, 2026
Kirkus Reviews Issue: Nov. 15, 2026
© Copyright 2026 Kirkus Media LLC. All Rights Reserved.
Follow
Popular in this Genre
We can’t wait for you to join Kirkus!
It’s free and takes less than 10 seconds!
Already have an account? Log in.
OR
Sign in with GoogleTrouble signing in? Retrieve credentials.
Welcome Back!
OR
Sign in with GoogleTrouble signing in? Retrieve credentials.
