Julia Gibson nails the female characters in this mystery, imbuing them with subtle but distinctive tonal qualities. She especially reflects China’s changing moods as the Pecan Springs, Texas, herbalist carries out a homicide investigation involving psychoactive plants and takes on the role of mother to her 11-year-old niece. Gibson and Thérèse Plummer maintain an engaging pace, and Gibson gives China a slight Texas twang. The male characters, who play only a small part in this story, are not as distinctive and sound a bit strained. Still, listeners won’t go wrong with this pleasant cozy.
Pub Date: 2011
Duration: 9 hrs, 45 mins
DD ISBN: 9781461804017
Publisher: Recorded Books Inc.
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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