The husband-and-wife team of Wahlöö and Sjöwall have been compared to Simenon, Hammett, and Chandler, and rightly so. Homicide Bureau Chief Martin Beck carries out methodical police work in 1960s Sweden. Narrator Tom Weiner expertly captures Beck, who's always referred to as Martin Beck, and his cohorts and criminals. Weiner’s best portrayals are those of Beck himself and Gunwald Larsson, a character who provides a bit of comedy. A glimpse into family life is provided when Beck visits his mother in a nursing home. Weiner captures her perfectly, and it’s fun to see how much Beck is like her. An added bonus is the introduction, which discusses the authors, their humor, and their politics. This is perfect for the discerning audience.
Pub Date: June 2, 2009
Duration: 7 hrs
Publisher: Blackstone Audio
Review Posted Online: Jan. 22, 2026
In the latest Kinsey Millhone mystery, Kinsey is hired by an aged, wealthy man to retrieve his daughter from prison, where she has served time for embezzlement. Kinsey quickly figures out that the girl isn’t an embezzler but instead has done time for her money-laundering boss. All heck breaks loose. Judy Kaye has a warm, rich voice that seems just right for Grafton’s P.I. Her delivery mirrors the smart-aleck tenor of much of Kinsey’s dialogue. Strangely though, when Kaye is interpreting a male character (and there are many), she raises her voice to a higher register, so that many of the men sound like adolescents with changing voices, or worse, like chipmunks. It may be Kaye’s subtle social comment, though. For once the listener adapts, this odd gender reversal seems natural.
Pub Date: July 13, 2004
Duration: 10 hrs, 30 mins
Publisher: N/A
Review Posted Online: Jan. 22, 2026
Benedict Juliard, forced from steeplechase racing, becomes increasingly involved in politics and protecting his father's life. Prebble's relaxed but masterful command of characters allows an easy flow during conversations, as well as the sudden transformations from narrative to action scenes. His clear, precise speech; polished style of delivery; and sense of timing give a steady consistency and excellence to his reading. Prebble carries the main characters with ease, but he seems to delight in performing the secondary characters, who feature a great variety of accents to match their roles. Another polished performance by a master of reading.
Pub Date: Jan. 22, 1998
Duration: 7 hrs, 30 mins
Publisher: Recorded Books Inc.
Review Posted Online: Jan. 22, 2026
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