A deft narration, but a disappointing story.
London ex-detective Jake Jackson settles in rural England after inheriting a farmhouse from his uncle. When women begin mysteriously drowning in a local river, Jake, his girlfriend, and a host of cop friends assist the hapless local authorities. Narrator Oliver Hembrough is especially good as crude, sarcastic Martha, a crime author who always just happens to have a crucial piece of information. But too many coincidences and unlikable characters, including an influencer who becomes a victim, spoil a potentially gripping story. Hembrough’s narration enhances the majestic setting, which is the best part of this mystery, highlighting a region rich with flora, fauna, and local delicacies.
A deft narration, but a disappointing story.Pub Date: June 23, 2026
Duration: 9 hrs, 44 mins
DD ISBN: 9780063472433
Publisher: Harper Audio
Review Posted Online: Aug. 4, 2026
For someone whose vocal palette contains so few colors, Edward Asner is a surprisingly effective narrator. His familiar, pleasant growl compels attention and bespeaks authority. He has his faults though. As an audiobook performer, he has but one personality, whatever the narrative voice of his text. One gets the impression that he enters the studio underprepared, taking his time to discover the book as he reads it. Thus it is with An Isolated Incident, a taut, suspenseful murder mystery set in Puget Sound. Other readers could better explore all the beats of this rich page-turner, but few could hold an audience as effortlessly.
Pub Date: N/A
Duration: 3 hrs
Publisher: Time Warner AudioBooks
Review Posted Online: Jan. 22, 2026
Kay Scarpetta takes on more than routine investigations as her job of medical examiner involves her once again in a search for an unknown killer. The story is riveting from the opening chapters, and Sheila Hart never lets the intrigue subside. However Hart doesn't use enough vocal range, and male voices sound tinny and high-pitched. The dialogues with tough yet, endearing, Lt. Pete Marino have perfect cadence, accent and speech pattern, but sound somewhat thin and insubstantial. Telephone conversations and flashbacks are set off by effective sound enhancement, a useful addition. The overall presentation is very good driven strongly by the author's contribution.
Pub Date: N/A
Duration: 9 hrs
Publisher: Brilliance Audio
Review Posted Online: Jan. 22, 2026
© Copyright 2026 Kirkus Media LLC. All Rights Reserved.
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