Discover Most Popular Audiobooks in Fiction, Historical Top Rated

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Title: Eagle in Exile

Subtitle: The Clash of Eagles Trilogy, Book II

Author: Alan Smale

Narrator: Kevin Orton

Format: Unabridged

Length: 19 hrs and 25 mins

Language: English

Release date: 03-22-16

Publisher: Recorded Books

Ratings: 4.5 of 5 out of 60 votes

Genres: Fiction, Historical

Publisher's Summary:

Perfect for fans of Bernard Cornwell, Steve Berry, Naomi Novik, and Harry Turtledove, Alan Smale's gripping alternate history series imagines a world in which the Roman Empire has survived long enough to invade North America in 1218. Now the stunning story carries hero Gaius Marcellinus deeper into the culture of an extraordinary people whose humanity, bravery, love, and ingenuity forever change his life and destiny.

In AD 1218, Praetor Gaius Marcellinus is tasked with conquering North America and turning it into a Roman province. But outside the walls of the great city of Cahokia, his legion is destroyed outright; Marcellinus is the only one spared. In the months and years that follow, Marcellinus comes to see North America as his home and the Cahokians as his kin. He vows to defend these proud people from any threat, Roman or Native.

After successfully repelling an invasion by the fearsome Iroqua tribes, Marcellinus realizes that a weak and fractured North America won't stand a chance against the returning Roman army. Worse, rival factions from within threaten to tear Cahokia apart just when it needs to be most united and strong. Marcellinus is determined to save the civilization that has come to mean more to him than the empire he once served. But to survive the swords of Roma, he first must avert another Iroqua attack and bring the Cahokia together. Only with the hearts and souls of a nation at his back can Marcellinus hope to know triumph.

Members Reviews:

Amazing book!

Great book! there was a point where it was a bit difficult to continue, but overall an amazing continuation to the trilogy.

Better than Volume 1

With characters more developed, and drama developing on a grander scale, Kevin Smale delivers an engaging story with a thought-provoking alt-hist backdrop. On the alt-hist side, my only criticism is that the author seems to assume less cultural change in nearly 800 years of extended Western Roman history than I believe is likely. But thats a small complaint. And Kevin Ortons narration is well-delivered if perhaps a wee bit slow.

Addicted to the Eagles

Would you consider the audio edition of Eagle in Exile to be better than the print version?

Tough call, it is always nice to add a layer of depth to characters... I do enjoy the presentation.

What did you like best about this story?

This story makes you care about the characters and you cannot help but want more. The characters are deep and complex and demand your attention.

What does Kevin Orton bring to the story that you wouldnt experience if you just read the book?

He really adds great depth and personality to already great characters.

good fiction/fantasy

if you are wanting perfect what if fiction this book is not it. it is close enough to make the story really enjoyable and the characters are compelling.

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Title: Sudden Death

Author: Álvaro Enrigue

Narrator: Robert Fass

Format: Unabridged

Length: 6 hrs and 57 mins

Language: English

Release date: 02-09-16

Publisher: Tantor Audio

Ratings: 4 of 5 out of 28 votes

Genres: Fiction, Historical

Publisher's Summary:

Sudden Death begins with a brutal tennis match that could decide the fate of the world. The bawdy Italian painter Caravaggio and the loutish Spanish poet Quevedo battle it out before a crowd that includes Galileo, Mary Magdalene, and a generation of popes who would throw Europe into the flames. In England, Thomas Cromwell and Henry VIII behead Anne Boleyn, and her crafty executioner transforms her legendary locks into the most sought-after tennis balls of the time. Across the ocean in Mexico, conquistador Hernán Cortés and his Mayan translator and lover, La Malinche, scheme and conquer, not knowing that their domestic comedy will change the world. And in a remote Mexican colony, a bishop reads Thomas More's Utopia and thinks that instead of a parody, it's a manual.

In this mind-bending, prismatic novel, worlds collide, time coils, traditions break down. There are assassinations and executions, hallucinogenic mushrooms, utopias, carnal liaisons and papal dramas, artistic and religious revolutions, love stories and war stories. A dazzlingly original voice and a postmodern visionary, Álvaro Enrigue tells a grand adventure of the dawn of the modern era in this short, powerful punch of a novel.

Critic Reviews:

"[T]he reader can get lost in the profusion of historical figures." (Publishers Weekly)

"[Narrator Robert Fass'] dry delivery style perfectly complements the whimsical nature of the story.... His approach allows the wonderfully eccentric text to speak for itself, enhanced by his authentic pronunciations as scenes cross international borders. This is a one-of-a-kind listen for people looking to try something a little different." (AudioFile)

Members Reviews:

Should be 2 and half stars, but no more.

Probably deserves a slightly better rating, but for this reader there was no choice as there is no in between for two stars (I Don't Like It) and three stars (It's OK).

The book probably does have a point, but what this is is most likely beyond the vast majority of reader's capability of deduction. Even the writer makes rather unusual remarks within the book about the purpose of the book.

If you must persist with reading this book, then have immediate access to the internet (at all times) so that you can endlessly search on the history of Spain's conquering of Mexico, Conquistadors & Mexicans (i.e. Aztecs, etc.), Catholic Rome & Catholic Europe and lots of various bishops of the times, and just a little bit of tennis (real old school).

The only positive thing I could take from the book was a heightened appetite for investigating the works of Carravagio. The rest was a mess and overload of mish-mashed history and fiction, which does little to draw the reader in.

Perhaps that is the very point of the book - to draw the reader into the history of the time. Unfortunately, it is just to much hard work for probably most readers.

Sorry, but thumbs down for me.

An Interesting Read With A Creative Plot

Some very interesting plot lines tied to theories and rumors about how Caravaggio died. One theory says he was playing tennis at the time of his death.

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Title: A Friend of Mr. Lincoln

Subtitle: A Novel

Author: Stephen Harrigan

Narrator: George Guidall

Format: Unabridged

Length: 14 hrs and 23 mins

Language: English

Release date: 02-02-16

Publisher: Recorded Books

Ratings: 4 of 5 out of 33 votes

Genres: Fiction, Historical

Publisher's Summary:

The Gates of the Alamo

Author Stephen Harrigan returns to his historical fiction roots, reimagining Abraham Lincoln's early life, when he was a young lawyer and rising politician in Springfield, Illinois.

Told from the point of view of Lincoln's best friend, it starts during the Blackhawk War (in which Lincoln served) and ends in the mid-1840s, when Lincoln goes off to Washington after being elected to Congress, and his friend heads west with the Donner party.

The novel is about a crucially formative period in Lincoln's life, when he was ruled by an almost ungovernable ambition and beset by bouts of depression, sometimes ruthlessly trying to advance himself while tortured with self-doubt and questions of personal honor. It tracks his strange on-and-off relationship with Mary Todd, his sudden and puzzling marriage to her, the duel he almost fought with a political opponent, his pragmatic and sometimes contradictory stands on slavery, his desire to be a poet, and his true-to-life flirtation with suicide - all in all, a portrait of a young politician on the make, deeply principled but also deeply flawed.

Members Reviews:

Delightful

Story well woven with fiction into history. Makes me want to read more to find out about Mary Todd Lincoln and Lincoln's early years.

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Title: Instaread on The Japanese Lover: Isabel Allende's Novel

Author: Instaread

Narrator: Patricia Santomasso

Format: Unabridged

Length: 30 mins

Language: English

Release date: 01-29-16

Publisher: Instaread

Ratings: 3 of 5 out of 4 votes

Genres: Fiction, Historical

Publisher's Summary:

Please note: This is a summary and analysis of the book and not the original book.

The Japanese Lover by Isabel Allende is a novel that chronicles a forbidden but passionate romance that grows between two people over time, and how this relationship touches the lives of others over the course of several decades. Much of the book is set in San Francisco during and after World War II, when tensions were high between the United States and Japan and between Nazi Germany and European Jews; both conflicts impact the formation of the relationship at the heart of the novel.

Irina Bazili is a young girl with no family and a dark past who comes to work at Lark House, a senior residence and home for convalescents. One of her patients is the vivacious screen printer Alma Belasco. Alma takes Irina under her wing as her assistant, and over time Irina comes to learn more about Alma and the reasoning behind some of her mysterious habits, such as disappearing for days at a time unannounced or receiving yellow envelopes and gardenias from anonymous senders....

Inside this Instaread summary & analysis of The Japanese Lover:

With Instaread, you can get the summary and analysis of a book quickly. We read every chapter, and summarize and analyze it for your convenience.

Members Reviews:

~~ Passionate love ends up in a tangled web ~~

The original fiction novel by Isabel Allende tells the story of a "forbidden but passionate romance that grows between two people over time" and how that relationship affects other people. Set during and after WWII Irina Bazili, who has no family, gets a job at Lark House, a senior residence and home for convalescents. Alma Belasco is one of her patients and over time tells Irina her story.

Alma, Jewish, befriends Ichmei, Japanese who ends up in the Topaz concentration camp. Reconnecting after the war their childhood feelings develop into a deep and sensuous passion. Due to racism they have to keep it secret fro all but Nathaniel, Alma's cousin to whom she is very close. When Alma discovers she is pregnant, she breaks off her relationship with Ichmei and ends up marrying Nathaniel. They have a very open relationship but she can never forget Ichmei. What is Nathaniel's secret?

This appears to be a tangled web of a story consisting of pornography, homosexuality and more. With some reviews from the author's fans on the original book saying that the storyline is slow, boring and a waste of money you may want to check this Instaread summary (think DETAILED review) out first. Yes it provides all the spoilers but is great for book club readers etc., aiding discussion and understanding of the book. There is a wonderful character analysis and if you don't have time or desire to read the original but need to know what it is about then this is for you! Instead of reading 322 pages you can read this 20 page Instaread synopsis!

Please note my review is based on the quality and contents of this Instaread summary and NOT the original. Book provided in exchange for an honest review. Thanks, Liz

Sometimes summaries are all you need

You know, I'm not really a romance novel kind of guy. So this review was a great buy, because it helped me see that I don't need to read "The Japanese Lover" by Isabel Allende.

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Title: The Master of the Prado

Author: Javier Sierra

Narrator: Ralph Lister

Format: Unabridged

Length: 8 hrs and 21 mins

Language: English

Release date: 01-26-16

Publisher: Tantor Audio

Ratings: 3.5 of 5 out of 6 votes

Genres: Fiction, Historical

Publisher's Summary:

Presented as a fictionalized autobiography, The Master of the Prado begins in Madrid in 1990, when Sierra encounters a mysterious stranger named Luis Fovel within the halls of the Prado. Fovel takes him on a whirlwind tour and promises to uncover startling secrets hidden in the museum's masterpieces - secrets that open up a whole new world to Sierra.

The enigmatic Fovel reveals how a variety of visions, prophesies, conspiracies, and even heresies inspired masters such as Raphael, Titian, Hieronymus Bosch, Botticelli, Brueghel, and El Greco. The secrets they concealed in their paintings are stunning enough to change the way we think about art, uncovering mysteries about historical facts, secret sects, and prophetical theories. It is these secrets that lead Sierra to question his entire understanding of art history and unearth groundbreaking discoveries about European art.

At once a captivating novel and a reference guide to Madrid's famed museum, The Master of the Prado is full of insights and intriguing mysteries. Sierra brings historical characters alive in this astounding narrative filled with dazzling surprises that will entrance you.

Critic Reviews:

"Sierra has produced not only a thrilling work of historical fiction but also a wonderful literary companion to visitors of the Prado." (Library Journal)

Members Reviews:

For a particular interest

I love art history and particularly stories involving mysticism and alchemy. That is what drew me to this story. However perfect the subject matter was for me, it failed to deliver a plot and fully formed characters that satisfied those equally important requirements. Something may have been lost in translation, but it wasn't compelling writing either. Still, there are few books that go down this path, so I was entertained. I doubt the average reader would be as patient or care when the plot is non-existent and the telling flat. The narrator tried to add some life but it ended up sounding overly acted. My 3 stars are support for the subject matter and the research done, but if you are looking for a great story, this isn't it.

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Title: Now Is the Time

Author: Melvyn Bragg

Narrator: David Timson

Format: Unabridged

Length: 11 hrs and 53 mins

Language: English

Release date: 10-08-15

Publisher: Sceptre

Ratings: 4 of 5 out of 9 votes

Genres: Fiction, Historical

Publisher's Summary:

At the end of May 1381, the 14-year-old King of England had reason to be fearful: the plague had returned, the royal coffers were empty and a draconian poll tax was being widely evaded. Yet Richard, bolstered by his powerful, admired mother, felt secure in his God-given right to reign.

Within two weeks the unthinkable happened: a vast force of common people invaded London, led by a former soldier, Walter Tyler, and the radical preacher John Ball, demanding freedom, equality, and the complete uprooting of the Church and state. They believed they were rescuing the King from his corrupt ministers and that England had to be saved. And for three intense, violent days, it looked as if they would sweep all before them.

In this gripping novel, Melvyn Bragg brings an extraordinary episode in English history to fresh, urgent life on both a grand and intimate scale, vividly portraying its central figures.

It is an archetypal tale of an epic struggle between the powerful and the apparently powerless.

Members Reviews:

An Extraordinary Period in History Brought to Life

Would you consider the audio edition of Now Is the Time to be better than the print version?

I had not read the print version.

Who was your favorite character and why?

I love the entitled, influential Joan of Kent.

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

The narrator is superb and a joy to listen to.

Any additional comments?

I purchased this audio book after hearing the author interviewed on History Extra podcast. This tale brings to life a period of time I was not familar with in English history, and the extraordinary characters that populated it.

History enlivened by a novelists imagination

I had only a hazy knowledge about the Peasants Revolt of 1381 led by Wat Tyler, but knew that it was triggered by a Poll Tax levied on all to pay for Richard IIs foray into European Wars. Melvyn Bragg has enlivened the historical record with his imaginative conjuring up of the day-to-day interactions of the main players in the dramatic events of the period. It is surprising how near the rebels were to over-throwing the government and it appears that only their supine devotion to Richard II reversed the tide of insurrection. Sadly, Richard II was not worthy of their respect.

The story contains long passages of political and religious discourse that could be tedious but the authors strong character development, lively style of writing, and the excellent narration make it a worthwhile listen.

A Novel

A historical novel on a part of history I knew nothing of. Pleased I read/listened. Narrator was appropriate and one of the best in the business. Read/listened before a talk by the author, who disappointed by largely recounting the novel without development. The novel was much better than the talk.

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Title: Tyger

Subtitle: Thomas Kydd, Book 16

Author: Julian Stockwin

Narrator: Christian Rodska

Format: Unabridged

Length: 10 hrs and 39 mins

Language: English

Release date: 10-08-15

Publisher: Hodder & Stoughton

Ratings: 5 of 5 out of 6 votes

Genres: Fiction, Historical

Publisher's Summary:

The greatest naval trial in the Georgian period is underway at Portsmouth with the court-martial of Sir Home Popham, Captain Sir Thomas Kydd's commanding officer in the doomed occupation of Buenos Aires.

Kydd has some sympathy for Popham's unauthorised action, but his support for his former commander leaves him athwart some very influential people in the admiralty. With his frigate L'Aurore unfit for sea, Kydd is given a commission that some hope will destroy his career.

Tyger has recently mutinied, but instead of having her company dispersed around the fleet as is customary, the ship is pressed into immediate service in the North Sea.

Kydd faces a crew still under some malign influence. Enemies aboard and on the high seas are just the start of the problem. Soon he will have to take his untested and untrustworthy crew into the Baltic, and there they will get entangled with Napoleon's invasion of Prussia.

The stakes are desperate, the task seemingly impossible, and the French implacable. But the only way for Kydd to avoid disgrace is to gamble his reputation and crew on a crazy mission to snatch a Prussian division out of the jaws of Napoleon's advancing army.

Will he return home once more a hero or himself face a court-martial?

Members Reviews:

This Is No Paper Tyger

This book at first threatened to be my favourite of the series and then went on to deliver on that promise. No mean achievement given the quality of whats gone before. This really is fast-paced and multi-faceted. The court martial the blurb headlines was intelligently and entertainingly observed but was really only the pre-cursor to what followed. At blistering speed we are carried through scandal, mutiny, an epic voyage north, a logistical nightmare and battles against both the enemy and the implacable sea.

Christian Rodska seems to step it up a notch from his previous excellent performances allowing slightly more passion into his already authentic reading. Stockwins excellent historical notes at the end give a small window into his undoubtedly tireless research and depth of expertise.

I think most authors would find enough material in this plot to fill at least two books and there is an argument that for example Kydds encounter with a French spy and what would have been an incredible journey north might have merited an extra hour between them. Id have happily lapped it up I am sure. There were things missing that were included in previous episodes. I wasnt disappointed personally to see no romantic interest but did miss Renzi just a little surprisingly little!

The only thing I can do is to recommend that if time allows set aside a good two to two and a half hours for the ending of the book. Its unlikely youll feel like putting it down during that time and it will be a very enjoyable session with your headphones I promise!

KYDD episode Sixteen : loved it

A great ongoing story well told, and this audible unabridged telling of the tale enjoyed especially with excellent dramatic reading

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Title: Acts of War

Subtitle: The Usurper's War, Book 1

Author: James Young

Narrator: K. Caldwell

Format: Unabridged

Length: 10 hrs and 9 mins

Language: English

Release date: 09-24-15

Publisher: James L. Young, Jr.

Ratings: 4 of 5 out of 15 votes

Genres: Fiction, Historical

Publisher's Summary:

"Somehow I doubt that this is quite how anyone expected Adolf Hitler's death to turn out...." - Squadron Leader Adam Haynes, No. 303 (Polish) Squadron

August 1942. London is in flames. Heinrich Himmler's Germany stands triumphant in the West, its "Most Dangerous Enemy" forced to the peace table by a hailstorm of nerve gas and incendiaries. With Adolf Hitler avenged and portions of the Royal Navy seized as war prizes, Nazi Germany casts its baleful gaze across the Atlantic toward an increasingly isolationist United States. With no casus belli, President Roosevelt must convince his fellow Americans that it is better to deal with a triumphant Germany now than to curse their children with the problem of a united, fascist Europe later.

As Germany and Japan prepare to launch the next phase of the conflict, Fate forces normal men and women to make hard choices in hopes of securing a better future. For Adam Haynes, Londonfall means he must continue an odyssey that began in the skies over Spain. American naval officer Eric Cobb finds that neutrality is a far cry from safety. Finally, Rear Admiral Tamon Yamaguchi must prepare himself and his men to fight a Pacific War that is far different than the surprise attack Imperial Japan had once planned but never executed.

Members Reviews:

Beautifully detailed book and amazing performance.

Where does Acts of War rank among all the audiobooks youve listened to so far?

It is among the best.

What did you like best about this story?

Acts of War: Usurper's War Book 1 combined a detailed knowledge of WWII war equipment and tactics with a story that made you really care about the characters. It was interesting to imagine how events could have been changed by a few key events, and what didn't change.

What about K. Caldwells performance did you like?

He effortlessly moved from accent to accent, which allowed you to identify the characters and also put you into the middle of the story. He handled the detailed fighting sequences flawlessly.

Any additional comments?

I really enjoyed this book and look forward to listening to others in the series. I wouldn't call myself a military buff, but this series might change my mind.

I loved the new direction the war went

I love the fact that they went in a different direction with the war. I thought it was great they kept close to the facts but at least changing the outcome.

Learn the words

Would you say that listening to this book was time well-spent? Why or why not?

It was OK but there were some minor problems

What other book might you compare Acts of War to and why?

I would buy the next one in the series but it is not on Audible

What didnt you like about K. Caldwells performance?

He did not have the correct pronunciation of several words. For example: corpse man. Obama did it too, but it doesn't make it right. Also, Cavite, fuselage, and some others. He hurries through some action sequences so rapidly that they are hard to follow. There are several unexplained gaps in the recording.

Do you think Acts of War needs a follow-up book? Why or why not?

Yes, because the story moves along.

Any additional comments?

One more thing: pineapples do not grow on trees

Decent Story - Weak Narration

Mr. Young did his research and understands WWII-era fighting. His writing is crisp and intelligent.

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Title: Wars of the Roses: Bloodline

Subtitle: The Wars of the Roses, Book 3

Author: Conn Iggulden

Narrator: Roy McMillan

Format: Unabridged

Length: 12 hrs and 5 mins

Language: English

Release date: 09-24-15

Publisher: Penguin Books Ltd

Ratings: 4.5 of 5 out of 31 votes

Genres: Fiction, Historical

Publisher's Summary:

Penguin presents the unabridged, downloadable audiobook edition of Wars of the Roses: Bloodline, the third instalment in Conn Iggulden's thrilling Wars of the Roses trilogy.

Winter 1461 - Richard Duke of York is dead, his ambitions in ruins, his head spiked on the walls of York city. King Henry VI is still held prisoner. His Lancastrian queen rides south with an army of northerners, accompanied by warriors from the Scottish Highlands. Margaret and her army seem unstoppable. But his death has unleashed York's sons.

Edward of March, now Duke of York, proclaims himself England's rightful king. Through blood and treason, broken men and vengeful women, brother shall confront brother, king shall face king. Two men may claim a crown. Only one can keep it.

Members Reviews:

Unaccurate, but a Great listen!

Would you say that listening to this book was time well-spent? Why or why not?

Exactly, yes and no. You get the jist of the story, but as the author tells you himself at the end, he leaves other important historical figures out and is not accurate with timings etc., and he says it is so he can keep on moving the story line ahead, but with a bit of creativity, which he is not lacking apparently, he could have made the whole series as accurate as the facts are.

What do you think your next listen will be?

Hopefully an accurate telling of the complete story, beginning to end.

Which scene was your favorite?

King Edward IV becoming the King, I could even see the man taking on the role of King... how people must have loved him.

Could you see Wars of the Roses: Bloodline being made into a movie or a TV series? Who should the stars be?

YES!!!

Reliably brilliant

Conn Iggulden can be depended upon to craft an excellent historical drama and has done so again here. I have only held back from five stars for the story as I suspect he has even greater heights to scale and I want to save a little something for the moment...

What is always less certain with an audio book is the quality of the narration. Speaking as the owner of an almost shamefully large audiobook library, I can say that there are few who can bring such stories to life as Roy McMillan. He manages this without panto dramatics or over-stretched character portrayals, just a thorough understanding of tempo, pitch and plot. Brilliant.

Living history

The second episode of the trilogy is as thrilling as the first. It is fascinating to see the complexity of history spun in such an engaging way. The characters are a synthesis of the real and the imagined. They are vivid and believable.

The thrill of the battle scene is awesome and horrific.

Historical fiction at its best.

Wonderful

What did you like most about Wars of the Roses: Bloodline?

It is such a powerful story, brought to life by the super narration.

Any additional comments?

I just can't wait for the next installment.

Fantastic

Great story and wonderfully read by Roy McMillan who brings the story and characters to life, he draws you in so you forget you're being read to and feel as though you are in the story itself much like watching a great film, which is such an important quality in a good narrator. Fantastic author and amazing narrator, highly recommend both.

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Title: The Secret Adversary

Subtitle: Tommy & Tuppence, Book 1

Author: Agatha Christie

Narrator: Andrea Giordani

Format: Unabridged

Length: 7 hrs and 51 mins

Language: English

Release date: 09-23-15

Publisher: A.R.N. Publications

Ratings: 4 of 5 out of 36 votes

Genres: Fiction, Historical

Publisher's Summary:

If famed crime novelist Agatha Christie knows one thing, it's how to draw her listeners in with a series of subplots and converging story lines. The Secret Adversary, which is the first novel in the series that follows Tommy and Tuppence, chronicles the pair's quest to find a mysterious woman who goes by the name of Jane Finn. Earlier in 1915, Jane Finn had been given a secret document while aboard the Lusitania, which was sunk due to a torpedo hit. That document was a treaty, and Jane was entrusted by the stranger who gave it to her to deliver it to the American Embassy located in London. Years later, the document has still never been delivered, and there's no word as to who Jane Finn is, nor where she is.

Tommy and Tuppence, upon meeting for the first time, decide that they're going to establish a sort of business in which they embark on adventures. They begin to work with a man named Mr. Carter who tells them that the clock is ticking in England - thanks to the labor unrest that the country is experiencing - and that one of the prominent figures behind this upheaval is a Mr. Brown. Together, Tommy and Tuppence seek to find Mr. Brown, discover the truth about Jane Finn, and help England by tracking down that treaty.

Members Reviews:

Hard to listen to

The story is decent. Nice intro to Tuppence and Tommy. However I think the narrator does not natively speak British English. The words are not spoken with the right emphasis or pronunciation. The transition to an American character is truly awful. If you can, find the same story with a different narrator.

too sing-song for me

What could have made this a 4 or 5-star listening experience for you?

The narrator's voice was too tightly controlled, and went up and down in an artificial manner. I even checked whether I was playing the book at the correct speed- it just sounded very tight and artificial.

How would you have changed the story to make it more enjoyable?

I like the story.

Who would you have cast as narrator instead of Andrea Giordani?

Rosalyn Landor or Hilary Neville are my favorite narrators.