Listeners explore a darker side of garden clubs in this nod to one of Conan Doyle's most well-known Sherlock Holmes stories. Gemma Doyle gets paid $10 by an 11-year-old girl to prove that her mother is not guilty of murder. Sheila Tierney is suspected of poisoning Anna Wentworth out of revenge for the destruction of her garden, which she blames on Anna. Narrator Kim Hicks heightens the humor of the audiobook as Gemma tries to stay out of the case but keeps getting dragged into it. Gemma, the Sherlock Holmes figure in this series, sounds analytical and largely devoid of personal emotion. In contrast, her friend Jane, the Watson figure, speaks in a gentle voice that makes her sound naïve at times. Listeners may find certain character voices to be shrill, but overall they will still enjoy the audiobook.
Pub Date: Jan. 12, 2021
Duration: 8 hrs, 15 mins
DD ISBN: 9781662065064
Publisher: Dreamscape
Review Posted Online: Jan. 22, 2026
As the clues accumulate, McLaren maintains the momentum.
Todd McLaren narrates with a steady, controlled delivery that supports this police procedural full of mounting tension. Hugo, a former federal profiler who now runs a bookshop in Paris, is pulled back into investigative work when a threatening message targets an executive at a luxury confectionery company. McLaren shapes Hugo’s perspective with measured phrasing that reflects his analytical thinking and professional habits. He gives secondary characters distinct vocal patterns through shifts in tempo and emphasis, allowing conversations to unfold at a quick pace while keeping listeners engaged, and he smoothly transitions between interviews, discoveries, and reflection.
As the clues accumulate, McLaren maintains the momentum.Pub Date: March 31, 2026
Duration: 11 hrs
DD ISBN: 9798318551444
Publisher: Tantor Media
Review Posted Online: April 1, 2026
A cozy crime mystery ideal for a fireside listen on a dark night with a hot toddy for company.
Emilia Fox rises to the challenge of creating a dozen or more voices to tell this intriguing murder mystery. Freya Lockwood and her aunt Carole are antique hunters working in league with the FBI, tracking down the source of three forged paintings recently shipped to the United States. A Scottish castle, concealed identities, and a couple of bodies make for a good yarn—not one to be taken too seriously, but reasonably compelling. Fox is on more stable vocal ground with Freya, Carole, and assorted Scots than she is with Phil, the FBI agent, but she keeps a firm grip on the plot and moves along at a good pace.
A cozy crime mystery ideal for a fireside listen on a dark night with a hot toddy for company.Pub Date: March 17, 2026
Duration: 11 hrs, 2 mins
DD ISBN: 9781668103067
Publisher: Simon & Schuster Audio
Review Posted Online: March 25, 2026
Kirkus Reviews Issue: May 1, 2026
© Copyright 2026 Kirkus Media LLC. All Rights Reserved.
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