Discover Most Popular Audiobooks in Fiction, Historical Top Rated

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Title: Mr. Darcy's Daughters

Author: Elizabeth Aston

Narrator: Morag Sims

Format: Unabridged

Length: 11 hrs and 57 mins

Language: English

Release date: 05-04-15

Publisher: Audible Studios

Ratings: 4 of 5 out of 31 votes

Genres: Fiction, Historical

Publisher's Summary:

Picking up 20 years after Pride and Prejudice left off, Mr. Darcy's Daughters begins in the year 1818. Elizabeth and Darcy have gone to Constantinople, giving us an opportunity to get to know their five daughters, who have left the sheltered surroundings of Pemberley for a few months in London. While the eldest, Letitia, frets and the youngest, Alethea, practices her music, twins Georgina and Belle flirt and frolic their way through parties and balls and Camilla - levelheaded and independent - discovers what joys and sorrows the city has to offer an intelligent young woman.

Listeners will delight in the return of such beloved Austen creations as Elizabeth's old nemesis Caroline Bingley (now Lady Warren), the ever-reliable Gardiners, and wayward Aunt Lydia. Charming, beautifully written, and full of societal intrigue and romantic high jinks, Mr. Darcy's Daughters is a tale that would please Austen herself.

Members Reviews:

The trouble with teenaged girls

The hair raising exploits of Fitzwilliam and Elizabeth's teenaged daughters in London free of their parents' care make for great fun and lots of fodder for gossips. We meet older versions of Caroline Bingley and Lydia Bennet who add to the fun.

Loved it!

What a great addition to Austin's story. Can't weight to listen to the next book.

wonderful!

I thoroughly enjoyed this book! I was very happy to find it and can't wait to read more!

Bring back Phyllida Nash

How did the narrator detract from the book?

The narrator made the voices of various adults in the book sound as if they were very young children. She is also unable to pronounce a number of word properly, such as ogle and chaise longue.

Any additional comments?

At the end of the audio book there is a free chapter of the next book in the series and the narrator ends the whole book by encouraging the listener to download this second book. But it is not available from Audible at the moment...

It would have been preferable if Phyllida Nash had narrated the whole series!

Perfect Elizabeth Aston Novel

I had already read the book form of this Audible, so I was looking forward to having the book read out to me. I was disappointed with the narration. All the female were at best different from one another, but not that well that I could tell which character was speaking and all the male characters were exactly the same. For those that have listened to the first 3 novels read by Phyllida Nash will probably likewise disappointed. The story line is excellent However, I hope Audible will put the story about Miss Alethea Darcy in their repertoire, even if it is the same narrator I shall download it because it was a very good read.

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Title: Pomme de Terre

Subtitle: A Novel of the Minnesota Uprising

Author: Candace Simar

Narrator: James Norwood

Format: Unabridged

Length: 10 hrs and 2 mins

Language: English

Release date: 04-17-15

Publisher: Blue Cottage Agency

Ratings: 3 of 5 out of 5 votes

Genres: Fiction, Historical

Publisher's Summary:

1862 was a tumultuous year in Minnesota history. The youngest state in the Union, Minnesota was one of the first to send men to fight in the Civil War. With the men gone, women and children were left to fend for themselves. The Civil War drained soldiers formerly stationed in Minnesota military outposts, leaving the state undermanned and unprotected. Budget woes related to war expenses caused treaty payments to be very late. Indian agents at the Lower Sioux Agency refused to hand out needed supplies until the gold arrived. The Sioux were starving. The result was the Sioux Uprising of 1862, the largest Indian war in US history. Because it happened between the bloody battles of Shiloh and Antietam, it was largely unknown. Its effects on Minnesota and the Sioux Nation still reverberate today. Abercrombie Trail, the first book in the series, tells the story of Scandinavian immigrants caught up in the clash of cultures. Although the government declared the uprising over in the fall of 1862, Pomme de Terre tells the story of settlers living in the western part of the state, where raids continued through the following year.

Members Reviews:

Slow story delivers less than promises

Expected more information about Minnesota Indian conflict in general Instead simple story about settlers and rather formulaic story about Native Americans.

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Title: The Wars of the Shannons

Subtitle: The Shannon Trilogy, Book 3

Author: Allan Cole, Chris Bunch

Narrator: Scott Larson

Format: Unabridged

Length: 20 hrs and 9 mins

Language: English

Release date: 03-25-15

Publisher: Allan G Cole

Ratings: 5 of 5 out of 1 votes

Genres: Fiction, Historical

Publisher's Summary:

In Book 3 of The Shannon Trilogy, young Patrick Shannon is the heir-apparent to the Shannon fortune, but murder and betrayal at a family gathering send him fleeing into the American frontier, with only the last words of a wise old woman to arm him against what would come. And when the outbreak of the Civil War comes he finds himself fighting on the opposite side of those he loves the most. In The Wars of the Shannons we see the conflict, both on the battlefield and the homefront, through the eyes of Patrick and the members of his extended Irish-American family as they struggle to survive the conflict that ripped the new nation apart, and yet, offered a dim beacon of hope.

Members Reviews:

A 'Must Read' for Civil War Fiction

If you are familiar with the "Sten" series by the same authors, then you are familiar with the outstanding quality of writing this duo brings to your fingers. If you're not, and like Sci-Fi, then the "Sten" series is for you. The unique blend of each of the writers combines to weave several life threads together in the background of the American Civil War. The ending leaves a taste of unfinished business they never address in other books, but it is still worth the read.

great read!!

Wonderful story! Very developed characters and Original plot evolution.

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Title: Flashman

Subtitle: The Flashman Papers, Book 1

Author: George MacDonald Fraser

Narrator: Colin Mace

Format: Unabridged

Length: 9 hrs and 58 mins

Language: English

Release date: 02-26-15

Publisher: HarperCollins Publishers Limited

Ratings: 4.5 of 5 out of 22 votes

Genres: Fiction, Historical

Publisher's Summary:

Harry Flashman: the unrepentant bully of Tom Brown's schooldays, now with a Victoria Cross, has three main talents - horsemanship, facility with foreign languages and fornication. A reluctant military hero, Flashman plays a key part in most of the defining military campaigns of the nineteenth century despite trying his utmost to escape them all.

Flashman, soldier, duellist, lover, imposter, coward, cad, and hero triumphs in this first installment of The Flashman Papers. His adventures as the reluctant secret agent in Afghanistan and his entry into the exclusive company of Lord Cardigan's Hussars culminate in his foulest hour - his part in the historic disaster of the Retreat from Kabul.

This is the story of a blackguard who enjoyed villainy for its own sake. Shameless, exciting, and funny, Flashman's deplorable odyssey is observed with the cynical eye of a scoundrel who was honest only in reporting what he saw. He makes all other black sheep look respectably grey.

Members Reviews:

Flashman rides forth.....

I'm a fan of the Flashman books, and loved the Timothy West-narrated versions that used to be available. Sadly, only a few titles were ever released, so I've had to wait until now to be able to hear the rest of the stories in their full unabridged versions, now with Colin Mace in the narrators chair. The story itself is classic Flashman, the cowardly bully from Tom Brown's Schooldays, charting his expulsion from school to joining the Army and his adventures in Afghanistan. It's a perfect place to start.

For the narration, Colin Mace does a good job, whilst not *quite* reaching the level of sheer caddishness that Timothy West managed to convey. Mace sounds a little "younger" when narrating, which does sit a little awkwardly to the "fact" that this is an elderly Flashie telling of his adventures. I'd also add that he has a habit of speaking a little quieterwhen not conveying speech, which can sometimes make you keep adjusting the volume to try to hear everything without it being too loud. That wouldn't be a problem for listeners at home, but if you're listening in a car like I do, it can be a bit niggly to have to do this. It's a minor thing, though.

I'll definitely be adding others from the mace-narrated collection to my library.

Spoilt by Poor Narration

Would you try another book written by George MacDonald Fraser or narrated by Colin Mace?

This is one of my favourite books, full of humour, history and excitement. This recording is spoilt by bland narration. The story is told by Flashman writing at the end of his life but we get neither the cynical and knowing old man nor the passionate, excitable, terrified young one. Instead it sounds like the vicar giving a geography lecture to the Women's Institute.

Who might you have cast as narrator instead of Colin Mace?

The Flashman books read by Timothy West seem to have disappeared from Audible. They were infinitely superior, a real joy to listen to.

Any additional comments?

Bring back Timothy West

Rip roaring storytelling at its best.

This is storytelling of the highest quality.

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Title: Plague Land

Author: S. D. Sykes

Narrator: Shaun Grindell

Format: Unabridged

Length: 11 hrs and 49 mins

Language: English

Release date: 02-15-15

Publisher: Blackstone Audio, Inc.

Ratings: 4 of 5 out of 54 votes

Genres: Fiction, Historical

Publisher's Summary:

In this chilling historical mystery, young girls go missing from a medieval English village, and Lord Oswald de Lacy must find the killer before tragedy strikes again.

Oswald de Lacy was never meant to be the lord of Somershill Manor. Dispatched to a monastery at the age of seven, sent back at 17 when his father and two older brothers were killed by the plague, Oswald has no experience of running an estate. He finds years of pestilence and neglect have changed the old place dramatically, not to mention the attitude of the surviving peasants.

Yet some things never change. Oswald's mother remains the powerful matriarch of the family, and his sister, Clemence, simmers in the background, dangerous and unmarried.

Before he can do anything, Oswald is confronted by the shocking death of a young woman, Alison Starvecrow. The ambitious village priest claims that Alison was killed by a band of demonic, dog-headed men. Oswald is certain this is nonsense, but proving it--by finding the real murderer--is quite a different matter. Every step he takes seems to lead Oswald deeper into a dark maze of political intrigue, family secrets, and violent strife.

And then the body of another girl is found.

Sarah Sykes brilliantly evokes the landscape and people of medieval Kent in this thrillingly suspenseful debut.

Members Reviews:

Best book since Mistress of the Art of Death!

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

This masterpiece is full of plot twists and surprises. You can not outguess it. You don't want to turn it off. One of those novels that is so good that, as a reader/listener, you experience a grieving period when it 's all over. It is the best novel I've experienced since Ariana Franklin's Mistress of the Art of Death. The narrator's presentation is great, with dialects and voices as varied as the story requires.

What other book might you compare Plague Land to and why?

Ariana Franklin's Mistress of the Art of Death, as far as complexity, plot twists, unforgettable characters.

Have you listened to any of Shaun Grindells other performances before? How does this one compare?

First time.

Was there a moment in the book that particularly moved you?

Good from beginning to end.

Any additional comments?

I hope to see more by this author!

More Coming of Age & Less Mystery

I thought Skye's writing was clear and concise. The story seemed more of a coming of age story than a murder mystery or thriller. At times the plot was flat, but character development was adequate. The narrator provided distinct voices for different characters without shrillness or overt volume (big personal bonus). Overall, the book was built on a strong foundation, but it would have benefited from a little more excitement.

Really well plotted, great historical setting

Sykes has given us a terrific story with plenty of realistic detail. I'm very glad not to live in the 14th century!

It was OK

There was just no fun to the story, which turned out to be rather predictable. There was so much description of the contents of chamber pots, abscesses, pits of dead bodies, etc. So, we get it was a rather grim time period, but it was hard to like anyone.

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Title: Charles Towne

Subtitle: Keepers of the Ring Series, No 5

Author: Angela Elwell Hunt

Narrator: Carmen Beaubeaux

Format: Unabridged

Length: 15 hrs and 25 mins

Language: English

Release date: 01-12-15

Publisher: Angela Hunt Communications, Inc.

Ratings: 5 of 5 out of 11 votes

Genres: Fiction, Historical

Publisher's Summary:

Concluding the Keepers of the Ring series, Hunt follows the exploration and colonization of America and the spread of the gospel to both colonists and Native Americans.

Members Reviews:

I really enjoyed the story and narration

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

Yes I would. I like this genre (Christian Romance) and the author did a great job of creating an historical setting for the romance to blossom.

What did you like best about this story?

The historical background presented made the story and the world portrayed in the book come alive. While I found it at times unsettling to be reminded of the American history of slavery, the main two characters rise above the common beliefs of the time and show how humanity can be cherished by all. The slowing building romance between Rachelle and Trace kept an old die hard romantic like me intrigued.

What about Carmen Beaubeauxs performance did you like?

I have listened to many audiobooks and am amazed at how well Carmen Beaubeaux did with all the voices. She took me so deep into the story, I easily forgot that not only was I only listening to the book, (not 'seeing' in on the screen), but the full vocalizations completely made me forget it was only one person performing all the voices.

Did you have an extreme reaction to this book? Did it make you laugh or cry?

The book is not filled with crying moments, but there are a few scenes of brutality that made be emotionally vulnerable. One of the turning points in the book is when Rachelle discovers that her slave trading upbringing is actually against her beliefs and her conscience and a change takes place within her. The way Carmen Beaubeaux voiced this scene brought me to tears of gladness. Sorry, but I like a good cry.

Any additional comments?

I am going to keep my eye on this apparent new comer to audiobooks, Carmen Beaubeaux, since I enjoy listening to books where the narrator performs all the various voices in complete character, accents and genders.

Great ending to the series

Great book and narrator has many distinct voices to set apart characters. Love all of Angela Hunts books.

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Title: Abercrombie Trail, Book 1

Author: Candace Simar

Narrator: James Norwood

Format: Unabridged

Length: 11 hrs and 12 mins

Language: English

Release date: 01-09-15

Publisher: Blue Cottage Agency

Ratings: 4.5 of 5 out of 13 votes

Genres: Fiction, Historical

Publisher's Summary:

Abercrombie Trail, a fictionalized account of the Sioux Uprising of 1862, is inhabited by the 19th century settlers of west central Minnesota. It centers on the life of her fictional character Evan Jacobson, an immigrant Norwegian stage coach driver. The stops along Jacobson's stage line reveal the families who live along the trail between Fort Snelling and Fort Abercrombie (just south of Fargo) and their ultimate fate in the, until now, untold story of the northern fringe of the 1862 Sioux (Dakota) Uprising and the siege of Fort Abercrombie. Jacobson struggles with learning English, falling in love and fulfilling his dreams while living with events of the war in the South and the one threatening on the next horizon.

Members Reviews:

Riveting historical fiction!

What did you love best about Abercrombie Trail, Book 1?

Abercrombie Trail, Book One, while in the context of the Dakota Uprising of 1862, holds important parallels to today's debates on immigration and conversations about racism and equality. Candace Simar has crafted compelling, multidimensional characters that showcase the complicated issues that led to the uprising, and James Norwood's narration brings these characters to life. I couldn't wait to hear of Evan's escapades on the trail, and found myself cheering for his victories and crying over his losses. If you love historical fiction, you'll love this book!

What does James Norwood bring to the story that you wouldnt experience if you just read the book?

The characters come alive, and he captures the emotion and meaning behind each character's words. The elation of victory is sweeter, and the poignancy of loss more piercing. The addition of distinct voices for each character makes the story more vibrant and vivid.

Great book!!!

I highly recommend this book. It has romance, danger with a backdrop of history. If you like Minnesota stories and Minnesota writers, read/listen to this book!

Great Realistic Fiction

What did you love best about Abercrombie Trail, Book 1?

Very explicit retelling of historical events.

What did you like best about this story?

Abercrombie Trail helped me understand the events leading up to the Sioux uprising.

Have you listened to any of James Norwoods other performances before? How does this one compare?

I have not listened to any other of Norwood's performances. He brings an air of authenticity to the characters.

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

I listen to audio books as I walk, so I listened to it over several days.

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Title: Wingmen

Author: Ensan Case

Narrator: Adam Schulmerich

Format: Unabridged

Length: 11 hrs and 21 mins

Language: English

Release date: 12-24-14

Publisher: Lethe Press

Ratings: 4.5 of 5 out of 12 votes

Genres: Fiction, Historical

Publisher's Summary:

Jack Hardigan's Hellcat fighter squadron blew the Japanese Zekes out of the blazing Pacific skies. But a more subtle kind of hell was brewing in his feelings for rookie pilot Fred Trusteau. While a beautiful widow pursues Jack, and another pilot becomes suspicious of Jack and Fred's close friendship, the two heroes cut a fiery swath through the skies from Wake Island to Tarawa to Truk, there to keep a fateful rendezvous with love and death in the blood-clouded waters of the Pacific.

Critic Reviews:

'...Wingmenis gratifying to read. It is the sort of book that should have and may have been written right after 1945, the sort of book that should have been published then, too, but of course it could not have been. I don't know what effect it will have on you, but this is probably how it will affect Case's fellow war novelists: Norman Mailer will clench his fists and swear and refuse to believe it, Gore Vidal will say, 'I told you so,' and James Jones will turn over in his grave.'' (The Advocate)

Members Reviews:

So well written and ahead of its time!!

Any additional comments?

I have never reviewed a book in this particular genre mainly because I have never been compelled to do so. Not that I have not read any good MM books it's just usually the ones I find really good are the ones everyone finds really good so they already have tons of reviews. This book was written sometime in the late 70's. It is the only book this author ever wrote and because it had such a bad response he gave up writing and moved on to a different career. Which is a shame. I don't think the world was ready to read a book were their main characters were both in the military, in love and men. I NEVER read historical war books but something grabbed me about this one when I read the review and it was GREAT! The writing, action and characters were so well written. Yes it's got romance but really that is secondary to the book. You won't find vows of undying love spoken or the a pretty HEA wrapped up in a pretty little bow for you at the end. It's realistic not to say a bad ending at all but a realistic ending considering it takes place during WWII. I highly recommend listening to this book the narration is great the book is great a real find!

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Title: Rebel (The Starbuck Chronicles, Book 1)

Author: Bernard Cornwell

Narrator: Andrew Cullum

Format: Unabridged

Length: 16 hrs and 50 mins

Language: English

Release date: 11-27-14

Publisher: HarperCollins Publishers Limited

Ratings: 4.5 of 5 out of 7 votes

Genres: Fiction, Historical

Publisher's Summary:

The first book in Bernard Cornwell's best-selling series on the American Civil War.

It is summer 1861. The armies of North and South stand on the brink of America's civil war. Nathanial Starbuck, jilted by his girl and estranged from his family, arrives in the capital of the Confederate South, where he enlists in an elite regiment being raised by rich, eccentric Washington Faulconer.

Pledged to the Faulconer Legion, Starbuck becomes a northern boy fighting for the southern cause. But nothing can prepare him for the shocking violence to follow in the war which broke America in two.

Critic Reviews:

"A sure-fire bestseller" (Financial Times)

"What Cornwell really likes is battles . . . you will be duly rewarded with the smell of quality cordite rising from the pages" (Daily Telegraph)

Members Reviews:

Gripping

A gripping story told by the most excellent BC, the narrator is somewhat precise though which does detract from the story.

Great story - Narrator grows on you

I read this some years ago so knew it was a great story.

I was disappointed with the narrator but the dramatic voices were ok and he grows on you through the book.

On the whole an enjoyable audio experience.

thourghly enjoyable

Another period in history for the master of historical fiction. not upto the Sharpe or uthred books but worth the read. great educational value in the details, blood n gore and women, what else do you need

excellent from start to finish

excellent narration, story, characters. expect to get through this audiobook in a few sittings. learned more about the civil war reading this than in school

Typical Cornwall

Great story of the American civil war. Full

Of believable characters and realistic action

As you would expect from cornwall

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Title: The Vintner's Daughter

Subtitle: A Novel

Author: Kristen Harnisch

Narrator: Tavia Gilbert

Format: Unabridged

Length: 9 hrs and 55 mins

Language: English

Release date: 11-05-14

Publisher: Blackstone Audio, Inc.

Ratings: 3.5 of 5 out of 15 votes

Genres: Fiction, Historical

Publisher's Summary:

The Loire Valley, 1895. When 17-year-old Sara Thibault's father is killed in a mudslide, her mother sells their vineyard to a rival family whose eldest son marries Sara's sister, Lydia. But a violent tragedy compels Sara and her sister to flee to New York, forcing Sara to put aside her dream of following in her father's footsteps as a master winemaker. Meanwhile, Philippe Lemieux has arrived in California with the ambition of owning the largest vineyard in Napa by 1900. When he receives word of his brother's death in France, he resolves to bring the killer to justice.

Sara has traveled to California in hopes of making her own way in the winemaking world. When she encounters Philippe in a Napa vineyard, they are instantly drawn to one another, but Sara knows he is the one man who could return her family's vineyard to her - or send her straight to the guillotine.

A riveting tale of betrayal, retribution, love, and redemption, Kristen Harnisch's debut novel immerses listeners in the rich vineyard culture of both the Old and New Worlds, the burgeoning cities of late 19th-century America, and a spirited heroine's fight to determine her destiny.

Members Reviews:

A beautiful novel that transports the reader back in time...

From the very first page The Vintnerâs Daughter by Kristen Harnisch held me rapt within its pages. It transports us back to the 1800âs and into vineyard life at the turn of the century. It is historical fiction at its best offering us a bit of romance, love, hope, and an interesting look into the wine-making process during this time so long ago.

Sara Thibault is a young woman to admire. Living in a time when women were generally thought of to only belong in a kitchen she fought to prove otherwise. Her one dream is to work and eventually run her familyâs vineyard. Her father indulges her quite a lot in this as he has no son but the fact remains she is a woman and her only duty is to marry and have children. When Saraâs father dies in no tragic accident her life changes forever.

To Saraâs horror and dismay her mother sells their family vineyard to a rival of her father and his eldest son marries Saraâs sister Lydia. Once again tragedy strikes and Sara and Lydia are forced to escape to New York. However Saraâs hardships arenât over and it isnât long before she forced to move on again, this time to California where she hopes to get into the wine-making business.

The one thing she didnât bargain on was meeting a man there who could melt her heart and have her believing in love and marriage. Yet this man, this man who has stolen her heart also has the power to destroy her for they share a bond that he knows nothing about. If he learns the truth about Sara will she once more lose all that matters to her?

The Vintnerâs Daughter was a really good read â one of my favorites this year. Sara, with her strength and independence is a great character and I connected with her and her story instantly. The Vintnerâs Daughter is the debut novel from Kristen Harnisch and is the first in a series portraying vineyard life at the turn of the century.