Want to live in Palm Springs, California? First, listen to Melanie Carey and Paul Bellantoni narrate this debut cozy mystery, set in the present day. Listeners are introduced to the charms of the city, as well as lots of Old Hollywood trivia, while being simultaneously entertained by a murder mystery. Carey and Bellantoni deftly alternate the voices of the two main characters, Cindy and Jay, along with a solid number of secondary ones. Sometimes Bellantoni's females sound a little similar to one another, but Bissonette keeps the plot moving throughout a few twists. Overall, the narrators mirror the written words with appropriate vocal inflections, making for an enjoyable listen.
Pub Date: Aug. 9, 2022
Duration: 9 hrs, 30 mins
DD ISBN: 9781666614275
Publisher: Dreamscape
Review Posted Online: Jan. 22, 2026
Emmes' performance highlights Lacey’s curiosity and determination as clues accumulate.
Andrea Emmes narrates this complex tale of murder, nostalgia, and ambition. Lacey Langdon returns to her New Jersey hometown after inheriting a printing and event planning business, when the discovery of a town official’s body throws everything into an uproar. Emmes makes the most of the tongue-in-cheek humor. She ramps up the urgency when another death occurs at a subsequent event and connections to an earlier family tragedy begin to emerge. Emmes delivers all the goings-on in an engaging, conversational style that suits the amateur sleuth at its center. She uses clear characterization and precise pacing to track the evolving mystery.
Emmes' performance highlights Lacey’s curiosity and determination as clues accumulate.Pub Date: May 26, 2026
Duration: 8 hrs, 10 mins
DD ISBN: 9798318186561
Publisher: Spotify Audiobooks
Review Posted Online: June 30, 2026
Disconnected details and half-formed plotlines make this mystery feel unsolved.
Mia Barron invites listeners into this cozily detailed world. Interior decorator and miniatures artist Hannah “Cookie” Cooke becomes involved in a murder case when her client and secret lover, Chuck, is murdered in his own home. Baffling clues hidden deep in the home’s walls point to a historical mystery. As Cookie attempts to unravel the tangled clues, her personal life becomes a snarled mess. This audiobook demands listener attention as loose story threads pull in different directions. Barron’s confident narration leads the way through this audiobook. She captures Cookie’s attitude and humor while adding variety in pitch and tone for other characters.
Disconnected details and half-formed plotlines make this mystery feel unsolved.Pub Date: May 5, 2026
Duration: 11 hrs, 1 min
DD ISBN: 9798899745836
Publisher: Recorded Books Inc.
Review Posted Online: June 30, 2026
© Copyright 2026 Kirkus Media LLC. All Rights Reserved.
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