Discover Legally Popular Titles Full Audiobooks in Mysteries & Thrillers, Classic Detective

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Title: The High Window

Author: Raymond Chandler

Narrator: Elliott Gould

Format: Abridged

Length: 2 hrs and 41 mins

Language: English

Release date: 08-11-09

Publisher: Phoenix Books

Ratings: 4 of 5 out of 53 votes

Genres: Mysteries & Thrillers, Classic Detective

Publisher's Summary:

A wealthy Pasadena widow with a mean streak, a missing daughter-in-law with a past, and a gold coin worth a small fortune - the elements don't quite add up until Marlowe discovers evidence of murder, rape, blackmail, and the worst kind of human exploitation.

(P)2009 Phoenix

Members Reviews:

Why abridged?

Any additional comments?

Why on earth would you do an abridged version of a book that runs to 265 pages? My bad for not checking before I bought.

Wish it was unabridged

Wish it was unabridged; I like the Elliot Gould narration. All the Phillip Marlow stuff is great fun.

Not bad for an abridged version

The performance is great and an interesting story. As the story went along, I checked a few pages like Wikipedia with character and narrative descriptions. I found it to be helpful as the story trucked along so I could keep the names straight. Overall, an entertaining story, but a tough follow to the superior "Farewell, My Lovely".

The High Window

Can't any thing beat a good reading by Chandler; except, it being read to you by Eliot. Fun! Enjoy! Thanks!

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Title: Blindman's Bluff

Author: Faye Kellerman

Narrator: Mitchell Greenberg

Format: Unabridged

Length: 11 hrs and 49 mins

Language: English

Release date: 08-11-09

Publisher: HarperAudio

Ratings: 4 of 5 out of 242 votes

Genres: Mysteries & Thrillers, Classic Detective

Publisher's Summary:

"They say dead men don't talk, but if you listen, they do."

As a lieutenant in the LAPD, homicide detective Peter Decker doesn't get many calls at 3 a.m. unless a case is nasty, sensational - or both. Someone has broken into the exclusive Coyote Ranch compound of billionaire developer Guy Kaffey and viciously gunned him down, along with his wife and four employees. A well-known figure on both the business and society pages, Kaffey, with his sons and his younger brother, Mace, built most of the shopping malls in Southern California and earned a reputation for philanthropy, donating millions to worthy causes. It doesn't take long for Peter, his trusted detectives Scott Oliver and Marge Dunn, and the rest of his homicide team to figure out that the gruesome killings must be an inside job. Things become even more entangled when they discover that Kaffey's largesse had included organizations that extended second chances to delinquents, many of whom Kaffey had hired for his personal security. But was the job pure murder/robbery or something even more twisted?

A developer of Kaffey's magnitude doesn't make billions without making more enemies with blood grudges. With leads taking the team across L.A., up and down the Golden State, and into Mexico, Decker is plenty busy - and plenty thankful not to have to worry about his wife, Rina Lazarus, getting caught up in this deadly case. Rina is out of harm's way, serving on a jury at the courthouse. But then a chance encounter with a court translator who needs her help leads Rina into the terrifying heart of her husband's murder investigations - and straight into the path of a gang of ruthless killers. To protect Rina, Decker must find his prey before death unites his two worlds.

Members Reviews:

Good enough

I don't know what it is about Decker and his family but I find them such nice people that I listen happily to the books as if the narration weren't really about murder and mayhem (which they are). The courage and genuine humanity of the Decker family influences my experience of the book. The story is good, not great - but good enough to make me read on.

Vapid

I've liked many of Kellerman's books, but this one is just awful. The dialogue sinks to the level of stupid and totally unnecessary, as if the author were trying to reach a page limit and needed filler. The story is uninteresting and slow, and the narrator's voices make several of the main characters sound like cartoon characters. The book is really not worth listening to.

Always love spending time with Peter and Rina

I've been reading these books since forever, and this is my first time listening to them. I'm not sure if I would have enjoyed it more if I'd been reading, but the point is moot since I have more time to listen than I do to read these days. I enjoyed the story, enjoyed catching up with all the characters. Not sure the narrator was my favorite, but he didn't ruin it for me -- just made me question whether the dialog sounded so 'flat' in print. Way too many Peter said, Rina said, Hannah replied -- didn't really add to the story.

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Title: The Seven-Per-Cent Solution

Subtitle: Being a Reprint from the Reminiscences of John H. Watson, M.D.

Author: Nicholas Meyer

Narrator: David Case

Format: Unabridged

Length: 6 hrs and 47 mins

Language: English

Release date: 07-02-09

Publisher: Random House Audio

Ratings: 4 of 5 out of 58 votes

Genres: Mysteries & Thrillers, Classic Detective

Publisher's Summary:

This "rediscovered" Sherlock Holmes adventure recounts the unique collaboration of Holmes and Sigmund Freud in the solution of a mystery on which the lives of millions may depend.

©1993 Nicholas Meyer; (P)2009 Random House

Critic Reviews:

"A gem....Delightful reading for everyone." (The Wall Street Journal)

Members Reviews:

Interesting story - Bad audio quality

I had been wanting to read this for some time, and am enjoying it, but the audio portion was apparently converted from an ancient audiotape and the quality is bad. At times it sounds like two tracks are running at the same time, one slightly ahead of the other.

Could've been fooled.

Impressively, Nicholas Meyer captures and replicates the voice and style of A.C. Doyle perfectly in this excellent Holmes mystery. Word.

Did I Get the Same Book Everyone Else Got?

When this book was released in 1974, it was hailed nearly universally as a popular masterpiece. It kicked off the modern era of Holmes pastiche. Two years later it was made into a movie. Indeed, Nicholas Meyer is a respected writer in my book. I recently enjoyed the 3rd book in this series, The Canary Trainer (yes, I read them out of order), and so with all these factors combined, I had extremely high hopes for this one.

And yet... this book is complete and utter garbage. Ok, maybe not complete, but certainly utter.

In the Holmes canon, "The Final Problem" is the infamous story where Holmes and Moriarty face off in their mortal encounter at the Reichenbach Falls. This book takes the approach that a newly-discovred manuscript from Watson reveals that the original tale was just the cover story, and now he's at liberty to explain "what really happened." So picture if you will, Moriarty as merely a victim in the cocaine-induced madness of Holmes' addiction. The basic setup is that Watson enlists Mycroft Holmes to create the trail for our detective to follow so that he can face and ultimately beat his cocaine addiction with the help of Sigmund Freud. Ultimately the therapy works to an extent, but what finally ends the addiction is, of course, another mystery to solve. The mystery itself isn't bad, it's just 2/3 of the book is this other setup to get to it. Too little, too late. And so, this is where Holmes was for those missing 3 years when the world thought he was dead. Yeah, right... So essentially what made this book popular had nothing to do with it being a Holmes story and everything to do with the popularity of the drug culture of the 1970s.

In all fairness, this would be somewhat interesting if the character of Holmes were actually written as well as I know Meyer to be capable of writing him (which is to say spot-on with ACD's version), and if the liberties taken with both character and the classic story simply... weren't. It's simply too incredible for a respectful Sherlockian to accept. It's a bold setup to be sure, but let's look at it for what it really is: a rather direct 1970s social commentary on cocaine use and drug abuse in general. Put simply, it does not belong anywhere near the name of Sherlock Holmes.

Casual and/or more forgiving fans of Holmes will no doubt find this to be a far better read than I did. Indeed, the reception has already proven that for decades.

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Title: The Man in Lower Ten

Author: Mary Roberts Rinehart

Narrator: Jim Killavey

Format: Unabridged

Length: 6 hrs and 21 mins

Language: English

Release date: 01-22-09

Publisher: Jimcin Recordings

Ratings: 3.5 of 5 out of 42 votes

Genres: Mysteries & Thrillers, Classic Detective

Publisher's Summary:

Lawrence Blakely, attorney-at-law, sets off by train to deliver valuable documents in a criminal case. Along the way he encounters romance, treachery, a murder in which he is implicated, and, finally, a train wreck.

Members Reviews:

Worth the price

I mostly enjoyed this book though it went on a bit too long. It was an old fashioned story of love and murder.

One of my "Go To" Books

Only the fact that the hero - a decent, polite, self-centered, and introspective young attorney - may well sound like the way Jim Killavey portrays him, makes it possible to tolerate the narrator.

Having said that, the book is a wonderful period piece, with an good mystery and a lot of very amusing goings on, and I find it a good antidote when I have been listening to more difficult books.

Although she is not in Edith Wharton's class for fine literature, Mary Roberts Rinehart gives a similar, but much gentler portrayal of the upper middle class life in her time, of which The Man in the Lower Ten is a great example. .

Entertaining

The story is a good old fashion murder mystery with some love thrown into the equation. What make this hard to get through was the narrator. It was a pain to listen to his reading.

OK Listen

This story was quite slow in developing. When it did it was not satisfing to this 'reader'.

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Title: Artists in Crime

Author: Ngaio Marsh

Narrator: Benedict Cumberbatch

Format: Abridged

Length: 3 hrs and 18 mins

Language: English

Release date: 12-04-08

Publisher: Hachette Audio UK

Ratings: 4.5 of 5 out of 210 votes

Genres: Mysteries & Thrillers, Classic Detective

Publisher's Summary:

It's a difficult case for Chief Detective Inspector Alleyn. How can he believe that the woman he loves is a murderess? And yet no one can be above suspicion.

Members Reviews:

Aii! Abridged

I love the narrator but I forgot to check that this was an unabridged version. Sigh. Why would anyone even make an abridged recording?

Classic Story-Brilliant Narration-Abridged @:^(

When I started reading grown-up mysteries as opposed to Nancy Drew and the Hardy Boys, books by Ngaio Marsh, Victoria Holt and Ellery Queen were all readily available in our home. It has been a wonderful re-introduction to old friends and the nuances that I didn't understand back then to listen to these classics recorded by modern narrators.

I very specifically chose this book to listen to Benedict Cumberbatch. Having read reviews concerning his extensive narration skills I chose to listen to an old favorite in a new voice. I was not disappointed except in the fact that I had not paid enough attention when I chose the book and did not realize it is an abridgment. I normally don't waste a credit or $$ on half a book.

That being said, the earlier reviews were correct. Mr. Cumberbatch's various voices are individuals and paint a personal picture of each character. Most of the characters are gruff and brusk men going about the business of investigation These differ significantly from each other and from the ladies and the tender scene that concludes the work.

Oh dear.

What would have made Artists in Crime better?

I loved this book when I read it. However, even the lovely voice of Benedict Cumberbatch couldn't save this slash-and-burn abridgement.

What was most disappointing about Ngaio Marshs story?

'Hachette Audio UK' are very well named. Even the strong central whodunnit plot doesn't withstand the brute force they used to strip bare the original story.

What about Benedict Cumberbatchs performance did you like?

Benedict Cumberbatch is a great narrator but he's working without tools here.

What reaction did this book spark in you? Anger, sadness, disappointment?

If you are a fan of the Queen of Crime, avoid this mess of of an abridgement, Run fast, run far.

Benedict Cumberbatch is amazing!

Any additional comments?

He does so many different voices, I kept forgetting it was an audiobook and not a drama! Fun golden-age British mystery, and well edited- I didn't feel that I was missing anything. Brilliant!

A good old-fashioned detective story

I've been wanting to get acquainted with Ngaio Marsh's books for some time, but kept postponing it. In the end, this was the book I've decided to start with. And I've really enjoyed it.

It is a good old-fashioned detective story along the lines of Agatha Christie. A big house, a bunch of people come there for a short stay, and a murder. There is also a piquant bit of New Zealand flavour, as in all the books by Ngaio Marsh, I believe. I literally fell in love with the character of the gentleman detective Roderick Allein. (I am planning to dig up the old BBC series on the topic). And I definitely liked a bit of romance going on in the midst and despite all the grisly happenings.

Because this is an abridged version, some episodes and conclusions seem a bit abrupt, but cannot be helped, I suppose.

The narration by Benedict Cumberbatch is simply fantastic.

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Title: The Maltese Falcon (Dramatized)

Author: Dashiell Hammett

Narrator: Michael Madsen, Sandra Oh, Edward Herrmann

Format: Unabridged

Length: 3 hrs and 19 mins

Language: English

Release date: 11-11-08

Publisher: Blackstone Audio, Inc.

Ratings: 4.5 of 5 out of 135 votes

Genres: Mysteries & Thrillers, Classic Detective

Publisher's Summary:

And what a client! - the irresistible and treacherous femme fatale Brigid O'Shaughnessy.

Believing the book's vividly drawn characters and memorable dialogue cry out for theatrical treatment, Blackstone Audio commissioned this faithful dramatization by the award-winning Hollywood Theater of the Ear, in which a brilliant cast brings to life all the excitement and suspense of Hammett's original in the playhouse of the mind.

Critic Reviews:

"Hammett's prose [is] clean and entirely unique. His characters [are] as sharply and economically defined as any in American fiction." (The New York Times)

Members Reviews:

Entertaining, but needed a third-person narrator

I was really excited by the cast of this audiobook, and they perform very well - especially Michael Madsen, but there's one cast member missing - a third-person narrator. Hearing the cast describe themselves (using Hammett's inimitable style) is slightly strange, and would have been better in the voice of someone else (even if only to make it clear it wasn't dialogue!).

Why no third-party narrator????

I purchased this book because it was noted as the "best dramatization of 2008". The actors did a great job, but for some reason the director has the actors doing their own narration. Do I really want to hear Iva's character tell me about her supple breasts?? The story was great, but the narration is extremely distracting. A very unfortunate choice for an otherwise great listen.

Excellent

Great performances on a classic story that make the whole thing incredibly riveting. It's a tiny bit off-putting to hear the few sections of narration in the voices of the characters, but beyond that, a completely flawless production.

Tell me about the Black Bird....Again!

This is a fine multiple choice cast performance/adaptation of The Maltese Falcon. Edward Herman and Sandra Oh are both especially good. If you know the novel, you will not be disappointed. If you only know the classic film, you owe it to yourself to give this meatier version of the story a go. My only complaint is with Michael Marsden as Sam Spade. That he cannot compare with Bogart's classic performance is not his fault. The problem is that he seems to overdo it. He chews through lines like Adam West and William Shatner had a love child. This overdone performance is out of place here. Nevertheless, on balance, this is well worth your time.

fantastic

fantastically done, first time hearing the story and it was amazing on all fronts b

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Title: Bethlehem Road

Author: Anne Perry

Narrator: Davina Porter

Format: Unabridged

Length: 11 hrs and 21 mins

Language: English

Release date: 10-23-08

Publisher: Recorded Books

Ratings: 4.5 of 5 out of 263 votes

Genres: Mysteries & Thrillers, Classic Detective

Publisher's Summary:

A London policeman and his highly-educated wife investigate a series of murders involving members of Parliament.

©1991 Anne Perry; (P)2006 Recorded Books,LLC

Members Reviews:

Davinia Porter - the reader

This woman does such a remarkable job with all these Anne Perry Thomas & Charlotte Pitt books, I just have to write a comment. The author spends more time in this series of her books than in others reading expressions and tone of voice in the characters the Point-of-View character is studying, and Davinia has a way of capturing all of that. She is rather remarkable in her talent, and her voice is very pleasant, taking on different tones and accents for the characters. I really enjoy her reading, which is more like acting, of these books and I intend on going through the entire series, they are so well done.

Not enough titles

What a little gem, Bethlehem Road is! Not only an easy and enjoyable listen, but it historically presents an authentic picture of the early struggles of the Suffragette movement and the pathetic conditions that women lived under. Can we please have some more of Inspector Pitt titles to choose from and in the unabridged format?

I love this series.

Would you listen to Bethlehem Road again? Why?

For sure...I always hear things I may have missed the first time.

What about Davina Porters performance did you like?

She is awesome. I believe she is my favorite narrator. She brings the characters to life for me.

The best one yet!

Would you recommend this audiobook to a friend? If so, why?

Of course you can't just "jump in" and start at this one, but it is so far my favorite! Rich with twists and turns and love and mystery and all that good stuff!

What was one of the most memorable moments of Bethlehem Road?

How shocked I was when.....(not telling).

Which scene was your favorite?

The end was the best part.

Speechless

Surprised about the ending. The book somehow seemed unfinished. Rather slow in the beginning as well. Definitely not Anne's best. Glad I didn't read this one first, I would not have started the series.

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Title: Listen to the Silence

Subtitle: Sharon McCone #21

Author: Marcia Muller

Narrator: Kathy Garver

Format: Unabridged

Length: 6 hrs and 34 mins

Language: English

Release date: 10-10-08

Publisher: Brilliance Audio

Ratings: 4 of 5 out of 20 votes

Genres: Mysteries & Thrillers, Classic Detective

Publisher's Summary:

No one in Sharon's family will discuss the adoption, so she begins her own search for the truth. Her quest takes her deep into Indian country, to the Flathead Reservation in Montana. When her birth mother is critically injured in a hit-and-run accident, Sharon begins to understand that her search has caused a resurgence of old hatreds and fueled present-day violence.

Members Reviews:

Secrets Revealed

In the aftermath of her father's funeral Sharon McCone is in her father's house; the home she grew up in. While sorting through the detritus of his life she finds adoption papers with her birth date; suddenly everything she thought she knew has changed. When confronted; her adoptive mother acts as if she's making a big deal out of nothing. Talking with other relatives provides little elucidation. So McCone decides to do what she does best; investigate. From one of the biggest ranches in California to a ghost town to the Shoshone Reservation McCone chases her origins. The title is established when her longtime lover Hy Ripinsky advises her not to listen to just the words; but to the silences between the words. In doing so McCone to her disappointment; finds a father and not long afterwards she discovers her mother in the hospital; a victim of a hit and run. She discovers more about her origins and a father who she's more pleased with. Along with that she unearths the truth of a forty year old murder; and realizes that her parents are the people who raised her.

Loved it

I love Marcia Muller and always look forward to her next book.

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Title: Ordeal by Innocence

Author: Agatha Christie

Narrator: Hugh Fraser

Format: Unabridged

Length: 7 hrs and 4 mins

Language: English

Release date: 10-30-07

Publisher: HarperCollins Publishers Limited

Ratings: 4 of 5 out of 19 votes

Genres: Mysteries & Thrillers, Classic Detective

Publisher's Summary:

Calgary was the stranger in question, but he arrives too late for Jack, who succumbs to pneumonia after serving just six months of his sentence. Feeling a sense of duty to the Argyles, Calgary is surprised when his revelation has a disturbing effect on the family: it means one of the family is a murderer.

Members Reviews:

Totally Perfect

Loved it. A real who's done it. One of Christies best murder mysteries I listened to in a long time.

Fantastic story with an unexpected ending

What did you like most about Ordeal by Innocence?

The totally unexpected ending. The story kept me guessing all the way through.

What did you like best about this story?

Hugh Fraser's narration. He is fantastic at bringing various characters to life through different voices.

Have you listened to any of Hugh Frasers other performances? How does this one compare?

I've listened to lots of Hugh Fraser's audiobooks. He is, without doubt, one of the best narrators I have ever heard. This audiobook sustains that very high standard.

Was this a book you wanted to listen to all in one sitting?

At over 7 hours it's a bit much to listen to in one sitting! I like listening to them a bit at a time and trying to work out the mystery - I was miles off with this one!

Any additional comments?

If you haven't listened to a Hugh Fraser book before, don't be put off that this one doesn't have Poirot in it. It is still amazing.

Not an ordeal to listen to!

Would you consider the audio edition of Ordeal by Innocence to be better than the print version?

Yes. It is nice to listen to a story and hear how the narrator portrays each character. Hugh is an excellent narrator.

Who was your favorite character and why?

I like Leo Argyle. Although he is broken after Rachel's death he remained a pillar for his family.

Have you listened to any of Hugh Frasers other performances? How does this one compare?

I have listened to most of his Agatha Christie novels and have enjoyed them. This was one of his best performances.

If you made a film of this book, what would be the tag line be?

Everybody makes mistakes, but some mistakes are deadly.

Not her best murder mystery

Started off really promisingly but the story soon became repetitive and tedious. The narrator does a good job but it really began to pall and while I kept going to the end it all felt like too much of an ordeal.

Brilliant

If youre an Agatha Christie and havent read this one- would highly recommend. It will keep you gripped and trying to solve whodunnit!

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Title: Poirot Investigates

Author: Agatha Christie

Narrator: David Suchet

Format: Unabridged

Length: 5 hrs and 41 mins

Language: English

Release date: 07-11-07

Publisher: HarperCollins Publishers Limited

Ratings: 4 of 5 out of 59 votes

Genres: Mysteries & Thrillers, Classic Detective

Publisher's Summary:

What links these fascinating cases? Only the brilliant deductive powers of Hercule Poirot!

Members Reviews:

Suchet a wonder!

If you could sum up Poirot Investigates in three words, what would they be?

Excellent Entertainment Extraordinary

What did you like best about this story?

The excellent charactisations of Suchet brings the personalities to life.

What does David Suchet bring to the story that you wouldnt experience if you just read the book?

A true Poirot experience.

Any additional comments?

David Suchet portraits Poirot to a "T"! Fantastic work and the stories, as always, wonderful.

Gotta love Poirot

Well read and Always well written .... Z z z z z z z z z z z z z z z z f

David Suchet IS Hercule Poirot

A faithful reading of the Poirot stories by the man himself - David Suchet. Very pleasant listening with humour and drama, even though I know the stories so well.

A full cast recording would be the only improvement, but David Suchet's range of character interpretations was masterful.

This I shall listen to again and again with equal enjoyment.

Wrong Reader, Good Stories

A good collection of stories, but beware if you're a fan of Hugh Fraser and don't listen to the preview before buying. This collection is actually read by David Suchet (Poirot in the TV series) and NOT Fraser.

The stories themselves are good and varied, ideal to dip in and out of. Much less 'murder mystery' and more towards the Jewel heist type story than Christie's other books, but all are well written with satisfying endings. Recommended then, but again, listen to the preview before buying

Point Investigstes

A number of short stories with Point.

It makes you wonder how on earth she thinks them up. Nice easy to listen to I'd like to know how to get the full version of the audio book