Narrator Brian Cox delivers a magnificent performance, captivating listeners with this well-crafted, gritty Scottish detective prequel from authors Ian Rankin and the late William McIlvanney. Cox transports the listener to the underworld of 1970s Glasgow, where the story follows newly assigned DC Jack Laidlaw as he navigates the Glasgow Crime Squad. Cox quickly sets the tone and creates palpable tension as Laidlaw, a bookish detective on the hunt for the killer of lawyer Bobby Carter. Cox provides distinctive voices for a variety of characters, expertly embodying the storytelling style, banter, and rich atmosphere of Scotland. Jam-packed with corruption, organized crime, and a final twist, this taut police procedural will leave the listener wanting more.
Pub Date: Sept. 7, 2021
Duration: 6 hrs, 30 mins
DD ISBN: 9780593503881
Publisher: Random House Audio
Review Posted Online: Jan. 22, 2026
An engaging and suspenseful listen.
Lisa Flanagan’s talented narration brings ex-detective Vinnie Taylor alive as she settles in a small town in Maryland and tries to rebuild her life. When a routine shopping trip ends in Vinnie receiving a call for help from a teen who believes her best friend has been murdered, Vinnie soon finds herself embroiled in secrets and lies, along with a past she can’t forget. In Vinnie, Flanagan creates a strong, likable character, and she also creates a thoroughly believable cast of supporting characters, including troubled teenagers. Flanagan injects the perfect amount of urgency in her narration, allowing the tension to build as the plot twists to its exciting conclusion.
An engaging and suspenseful listen.Pub Date: Jan. 6, 2026
Duration: 9 hrs
DD ISBN: 9780063439269
Publisher: Harper Audio
Review Posted Online: Feb. 10, 2026
Skillfully woven backstory allows newcomers to jump right in here without missing a beat.
Narrator Cathleen McCarron returns to deliver a totally engaging listening experience in McDermid’s eighth installment of the Karen Pirie series. McCarron’s command of Scottish accents, coupled with her ability to shift seamlessly between male and female characters, draws listeners in and keeps them glued to their earbuds. Pirie, chief of Scotland’s Historic Cases Unit, and her capable team investigate a body dislodged from a rain-damaged motorway while also focusing on a supposed accidental death case. Listeners will enjoy the interplay among Pirie and her colleagues as they take bold measures to bring justice to victims’ families. McCarron’s assured narration heightens the procedural tensions and the emotional stakes.
Skillfully woven backstory allows newcomers to jump right in here without missing a beat.Pub Date: Dec. 2, 2025
Duration: 12 hrs, 43 mins
DD ISBN: 9781668170786
Publisher: Simon & Schuster Audio
Review Posted Online: Feb. 17, 2026
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