Lady Emily; her husband, Colin; and friends travel to Pompeii in 1902, where they uncover a most unusual murder in the ancient city. Narrator Bianca Amato uses a variety of cultured tones to portray Lady Emily and her friends as they investigate this complex case. An alternating story told by former slave Quinta Flavia Cassandra, scribe and writer, recited in Amato's soft tones, is set in 79 CE. The convoluted murder forces Lady Emily and Colin to investigate the dig and the many people involved. Amato effortlessly shifts accents from British to American, capturing the essence of each character. In sharp contrast, she portrays the ancient Romans using a combination of tonal shifts and pacing. The entwined stories and Amato's passionate narration will remain in listeners' minds long after the mysteries are solved.
Pub Date: Jan. 7, 2020
Duration: 9 hrs, 30 mins
DD ISBN: 9781250242495
Publisher: Macmillan 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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