The clever title and ironic tone of the narrative belie the seriously intriguing plot of this suspense story, which involves life insurance fraud. In a voice heavy with life experience, Michael Kramer embodies the character of special security consultant Max Stillman, who is hired by McClaren Life and Casualty to solve a problem in their Pasadena office. Kramer finds an earnest, reliable-sounding voice for John Walker, the data analyst Max commandeers to help him search for an employee who signed off on a $12-million death claim she knew was fraudulent. For reasons of his own, Walker doesn’t believe she did it. Kramer delivers the dramatic denouement at a pace that matches the breathless events taking place in a small New Hampshire town. A surprising plot and luminous narration make a perfect combination.
Pub Date: Feb. 4, 2009
Duration: 15 hrs
Publisher: Tantor Media
Review Posted Online: Jan. 22, 2026
Part of the joy of Tom Clancy novels is one's belief that the stories could come true. His latest entry stretches that some as we find international terrorists building a nuclear bomb which is used to set Americans and Russians against one another. Jay Robertson reads with a newscaster's voice, crisp and clear with a light touch of drama. However, he does little to help listeners identify Clancy's huge cast of characters, and dialects seem difficult for him as he occasionally slips in and out of character. Nonetheless, patient listeners are rewarded as the plot unfolds. This will be a welcome addition to any library justifying the price of the multi-cassettte volumes.
Pub Date: N/A
Duration: 16 hrs
Publisher: Books on Tape
Review Posted Online: Jan. 22, 2026
John Sanford is back with another psychological thriller in his Prey series. Surgeon, psychopath and serial killer Bekker is on the loose again after the easiest jailbreak in recent memory. Ken Howard's reading moves along with all the brooding energy a reader could want from a suspense book. His narration is deep, clear and well-suited to the gravelly voices of retired detective Lucas Davenport and the other cops. While Howard manages good dialects and shifts in character, his female voices leave a lot to be desired. For the most part, the abridgment gleefully throws logic and characterization overboard in favor of thrills, but the basic flavor of many characters is still fairly well maintained.
Pub Date: N/A
Duration: 3 hrs
Publisher: Harper Audio
Review Posted Online: Jan. 22, 2026
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