Audiobooks

 

 

Add Your Audiobook Reviews 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Hurricane Punch  by Tim Dorsey

 

What a road trip!! Here it is - that little mystery with a dash of clever weirdness and a just a hint of the psychotic hurricane expert that you've been hoping would drop into your life. Tim Dorsey writes an exquisitely humorus tale wonderfully executed by the very talented Oliver Wyman. Buckle Up!! It's a heck of a ride!

 

Madalene

 

 

 

 

The Lace Reader  by Brunonia Barry

 

 

 

 

 

Holmes on the Range  by Steve Hockensmith, read by William Dufris

 

I laughed out loud at the genuine (said with a western twang if you please) cowboy humor of this murder mystery. William Dufris is amazing channeling so many different characters in a story with more twists than a rattle snake. I had no idea what I was getting into when I picked this up. Old Red's holmesian deducifying is flawless and his brother Otto makes a more than adequate Watson. Please give this a listen. If you like it, pick up the follow up, On the Wrong Track; for more Sherlockian adventures with the Amlingmeyer brothers. You'll laugh out loud!

 

-Madalene

 

 

 

 

 

Lucia, Lucia  by Adriana Trigiani, read by Mira Sorvino

 

This book was a lot of fun. It's lighthearted, fast moving and so well written that it spins like a conversation with your best friend. Mira Sorvino's accent brings Commerce St to life; you can smell the spaghetti sauce wafting out of the kitchens as you walk with Lucia. The 1950's were such a unique time in this country and Trigiani captured so much of the best of that era. Please - Enjoy!!!

 

-Madalene

 

 

 

 

 

One Thousand White Women: the journals of May Dodd  by Jim Fergus

 

Wow! What a ride ! Audacious, riveting, fascinating in it's concept and marvelous in it's detail -nevermind the emotional rollercoaster ride endured by the heroine and her companions. The story of 1,000 white woman being sent to the western territories to marry Cheyene Indians in the years just prior to Custer's Last Stand is such an intriguing story premise that that alone is enough to grab the attention. But Mr Fergus's fine grasp of the daily struggle of life for women of both races in that era makes this an absolutely believable experience for the reader. I had to reread the fly notes to be sure it wasn't a real historical event. I give this a five star rating

 

-Madalene

 

 

 

 

 

Ireland  by Frank Delaney

 

Mr. Delany is an absolute master of the artform of storytelling. His story of the life of this traveling storyteller is riveting. He relates this man's tales with such ease, grace and poignance and with so much authority that they move with real fluidity. The reader is drawn in right along with the rest of the characters to become one of the participants rather than just a spectator. "Ireland" is a very thought provoking journey. It has lingered in my mind and left me standing on the green hills of that far away island anxiously awaiting for the "Storyteller's" next tale.

 

-Madalene

 

 

 

 

 

 

The Woman Who Wouldn't  by Gene Wilder

 

Wilder displays exquisite talent with his spot on vocal rendering of his quirky cast of characters presented in this sweet witty tale of love & madness. It is peppered with just enough schmaltz to keep it light. His story is full of imagery and flavor. I wish it had been much longer.

 

-Madalene

 

 

 

 

 

 

Peter and the Starcatchers  by Dave Barry

 

Although aimed at teens, this first in a series story is a fun, exciting adventure story appealing to all ages. It involves Peter Pan, pirates and a great treasure. It explains how Peter went from an ordinary boy to the magical one we know from other stories. I found some of the constant action a little tediuos, but over-all was enjoyable. No strong language, adult situations, or gory violence.

 

 -S.D.

 

 

 

 

  

Justinian's Flea by William Rosen

 

This serious history helps cover the period after the Roman Empire and before the Middle Ages, when the Byzantine Emperors continued Roman traditions. It also describes the effect of the plague on Europe. This is very detailed and might be more than you want to know about the politics of the time and about epidemics. For serious history buffs. The audio version was spoiled for me by the robotic, monotone narration of the usually tolerable, Scott Brick.

 

S.D.

 

 

 

 

 

Making Money by Terry Pratchett

 

Another fun story from British author Terry Pratchett set in an imaginary world part medieval, part Victorian. This time instead of improving the post office, he must improve the Royal Bank and the economy of the city. This is well-written, light, humorous and energetic. It contains some mild expletives, but no gory violence.

 

S.D.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Going Postal by Terry Pratchett

 

British author Terry Pratchett writes humorous novels set in an imaginary world of magic, vampires, trolls, etc. This is well-written with an amusing plot about a con man saved from execution on the condition he improve the postal system. He encounters very odd employees and customers, creates radical programs like stamps while combating his enemies. Fun stories with some mild expletives, but no real violence.

 

S.D.

 

 

 

 

 

Mistress of the Art of Death by Ariana Franklin

 

A female doctor from Italy goes to medieval England to help solve serial child murders being attributed to the Jewish community there. Using a sharp mind and forensics she discovers the truth, gaining favor with the King. She must adjust to life in England and the restricted role of women there. Well-written, rich in historical atmosphere and draws in the reader. Some gore, some strong language and unnecessary animal violence.

 

S.D.

 

 

 

 

 

Murder on the Leviathan by Boris Akunin

 

Russian novelist Boris Akunin writes a series of adventure/mystery stories featuring a brilliant police detective, Fandorin. This is a classic locked room mystery set on a luxurious liner. Fandorin must identify all the secrets of the first-class passengers before reaching port. Our version is a seamless abridgement well read by Campbell Scott. No gore or strong language.

 

S.D.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 Jane Boleyn: the True Story of the Infamous Lady Rochford by Julia Fox

 

Just in time for the release of the movie version of Gregory's "The Other Boleyn Girl" is this non-fiction history of Jane Boleyn. Born in a noble family, she married into the powerful Boleyn family and enjoyed all the privileges gained when Anne Boleyn married King Henry VIII of England. This is a detailed history of the Tudor era, its politics, religious controversies, moral pitfalls and the often difficult lives of women. It is written like a novel rather than dry history and is narrated well by Rosalyn Landor. This is an enjoyable story providing a fascinating picture of the court of Henry VIII.

 

S.D.

 

 

 

 

 

Neverwhere by Neil Gaiman

 

This is another enjoyable fantasy adventure from Neil Gaiman. Richard Mayhew is drawn into an alternate world existing below the streets of London where he joins a mythic quest. He encounters many odd types who dwell in the dark world below. Who is true and who false? Who will prevail? Who will die? Will Mayhew return to his old life above? This is an interesting adventure story where we learn that sometimes a little magic can improve an ordinary life. Even readers who do not normally like fantasy might enjoy the excellent writing and fast pace of the author.

 

S.D. 

 

 

 

 

 

Anansi Boys by Neil Gaiman

 

An ordinary man learns he is related to the trickster god of African oral tradition and his life turns upside down. He must undertake a spiritual quest to help his brother, save his fiance and gain some control over his life. This is a very well-written story which draws in the reader and keeps the interest. There is some strong language and non-graphic violence.

 

S.D.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Sweet Revenge by Diane Mott Davidson

 

Caterer Goldy Bear is busy during the holiday season and does not need to encounter murder at several of her events. Using her network of friends she manages to assist her deputy husband with the investigation; escaping injury narrowly. There is a steady pace of action with many plot developments. I prefer this title to a prior title I listened to. The audio is performed very well by Barbara Rosenblat. Davidson's stories feature church-going adults; little gore; and only an occasional mild expletive.

 

S.D.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The Stephanie Plum series by Janet Evanovich and performed by C.J. Critt or Lorelei King.

 

   I have been working through the Stephanie Plum series by listening to the various books on audio. Both C.J. Critt and Lorelie King are able to do a variety of voices and bring the various wacky characters to life. There is another reader for the series, I don't remember her name offhand, but she has a stronger New Jersey accent than the other two. 

 

A.L. 

 

 

 

 

Add Your Audiobook Reviews