Discover Most Popular Audiobooks in Mysteries & Thrillers, Historical

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Title: SPQR X: A Point of Law

Author: John Maddox Roberts

Narrator: John Lee

Format: Unabridged

Length: 7 hrs and 34 mins

Language: English

Release date: 03-20-13

Publisher: Audible Studios

Ratings: 4.5 of 5 out of 152 votes

Genres: Mysteries & Thrillers, Historical

Publisher's Summary:

Decius Caecilius Metellus is moving up in the world. He's won some money and glory fighting pirates in the Mediterranean and expects a speedy election to the office of praetor.

That all changes when a man he's never seen before publicly accuses him of corruption. Decius and his powerful family of Rome's leading politicians scramble to prepare a defense. However, the day of the trial they are greeted with a strange surprise on the steps of the courthouse: the corpse of the man who made the accusation. Now Decius is up against a much more serious charge of murder. It may cost him his chance to run for office, but not if he can help it.

Roberts once again masterfully sets Decius and his adventures against the background of this famed and crumbling Republic, enriching his story with historical detail and the immortal personalities of the day.

Members Reviews:

another great book from j m roberts

Where does SPQR X: A Point of Law rank among all the audiobooks youve listened to so far?

in the tops i love the whole SPQR series

What did you like best about this story?

the mystery and the way he ties actual events into his books

What does John Lee bring to the story that you wouldnt experience if you just read the book?

i think he is by far one of the best readers no doubt

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

yes

Any additional comments?

love the and will get the rest of the series

another excellent work

JMR has produced another excellent time piece of historical fiction. John Lee's narration is perfect. listening to this work takes you to a whole other world that is absolutely engrossing.

As good as the rest

The cast of characters with Roman names sometimes gets confusing. However the story itself is compelling.

"Only you could have used a wine tasting session as part of an investigation"

Another fascinating murder mystery set in ancient Rome and this time it is our slightly disreputable sleuth, himself, who is the accused. Filled with details of the City and the excitable lives of it's citizens in the five days leading up to the elections, this well crafted and humorously written story is, as usual, perfectly narrated by John Lee.

Great fun. Recommended.

A surprising delight

Would you listen to SPQR X: A Point of Law again? Why?

No - why not move on?

Who was your favorite character and why?

Flavia

What does John Lee bring to the story that you wouldnt experience if you had only read the book?

A good narration that flows along smoothly

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

Life in Rome

Any additional comments?

Not as adventurous as his previous, but no less enjoyable.

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Title: Veil of Lies

Subtitle: Crispin Guest, Book 1

Author: Jeri Westerson

Narrator: Michael Page

Format: Unabridged

Length: 8 hrs and 49 mins

Language: English

Release date: 03-09-13

Publisher: Audible Studios

Ratings: 4 of 5 out of 87 votes

Genres: Mysteries & Thrillers, Historical

Publisher's Summary:

Crispin Guest is a disgraced knight, stripped of his rank and his honor - but left with his life - for plotting against Richard II. Having lost his bethrothed, his friends, his patrons and his position in society. With no trade to support him and no family willing to acknowledge him, Crispin has turned to the one thing he still has - his wits - to scrape a living together on the mean streets of London.

In 1383, Guest is called to the compound of a merchant - a reclusive mercer who suspects that his wife is being unfaithful and wants Guest to look into the matter. Not wishing to sully himself in such disgraceful, dishonorable business but in dire need of money, Guest agrees and discovers that the wife is indeed up to something, presumably nothing good. But when he comes to inform his client, he is found dead - murdered in a sealed room, locked from the inside.

Now Guest has come to the unwanted attention of the Lord Sheriff of London and most recent client was murdered while he was working for him. And everything seems to turn on a religious relic - a veil reported to have wiped the brow of Christ - that is now missing.

Critic Reviews:

"A great read, through and through. Westerson's finely wrought portrait of gritty Medieval London is embued with great wit and poignancy. Crispin Guest is a knight to remember." (Cornelia Read, author of A Field of Darkness)

Members Reviews:

Medieval noir - what a concept!

I loved this book. It's like Sam Spade meets the Middle Ages. This first of the Crispin Guest series is set in London in 1384. Crispin is a disgraced knight who had had his lands, title, and money confiscated seven years earlier for participating in an attempt to crown John of Gaunt, Duke of Lancaster, as King instead of the Duke's young and inexperienced nephew, Richard.

Lancaster is unaware of the attempted coup. The conspiracy fails, Richard is crowned King Richard II, and all of the conspirators except Crispin (thanks to the intercession of the Duke of Lancaster) are executed.

Crispin now lives in the Shambles in London - which is as poor a neighborhood as it sounds - along with a twelve year old purse cutter, Jack Tucker, whom he rescued from the streets of London. There are lots of twists and turns, and class consciousness-- by Crispin toward the dregs of society that he's now forced to live with and depend upon, and by Crispin's former friends who look down on Crispin because he's now a member of the lower class.

Parliament finally removed Richard as King and crowned Henry Bolingbroke, son of John of Gaunt, as King Henry IV, but not until 1399. Richard died in 1400 - possiblly murdered.

I liked this book so much I downloaded it to my Kindle so I can see how some of the words I didn't know are spelled.

The author skillfully weaves actual historical people and events with her story. As a history major, I loved it! Michael Page does a fine job narrating.

I've now listened to all five books in the series that are currently available on audible. The sixth book comes out 13 October 2013. I'll be waiting.

An infuriating read

I will begin with the one good quality I saw in this purchasethe plot is reasonable. Nevertheless, I had to force myself to continue listening to discover the outcome. There are two things I found so infuriating about the book that I was tempted many time to give up listening.

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Title: SPQR VIII: The River God's Vengeance

Author: John Maddox Roberts

Narrator: John Lee

Format: Unabridged

Length: 7 hrs and 19 mins

Language: English

Release date: 03-06-13

Publisher: Audible Studios

Ratings: 4.5 of 5 out of 162 votes

Genres: Mysteries & Thrillers, Historical

Publisher's Summary:

Ancient Rome, in this accurate and evocative series, is just as politics driven as any major American city - possibly even more. Decius Caecilius Metellus has, through a series of rather wild adventure, and in the act of tracking down killers and other reprobates, barely escaped annhilation several times. Now, newly elected to the office of aedile, the lowest rung on the ladder of Roman authority, he must smoke out corruption and conspiracy that threaten to destroy all of Rome.

Members Reviews:

Love Robert's SPQR series.

This is not the very best of the series only because the ending is a little more contrived then usual but really who cares. Learned much about Ancient Rome as usual.

excellent story and performance

love how it follows history. John Lee's performance is incredible as always. engaging to the end

History of Rome in an entertaining story

The author tell the story of Rome and its politics while telling a murder mystery. Historical figures are scattered throughout and in a very believable way.

The narrator does a great job!

Best book series

This book does not disappoint, and neither does the performance. John Lee kills it as always.

Entertaining and Educational as Usual

Similar to the rest of the series. Enjoyable listen. I will continue the series to the end.

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Title: Out of the Black Land

Author: Kerry Greenwood

Narrator: Paul Garcia, Emily Bauer

Format: Unabridged

Length: 17 hrs

Language: English

Release date: 03-01-13

Publisher: Blackstone Audio, Inc.

Ratings: 3.5 of 5 out of 31 votes

Genres: Mysteries & Thrillers, Historical

Publisher's Summary:

Egypt during the 18th dynasty is peaceful and prosperous under the joint rule of the pharaohs Amenhotep III and IVuntil the younger pharaoh begins to dream new and terrifying dreams.

Ptah-hotep, a young peasant boy studying to be a scribe, wants to live a simple life in a hut on the Nile River with his lover Kheperren and their dog Wolfuntil Amenhotep IV appoints him as royal scribe. How long will Ptah-hotep survive there, surrounded by bitterly envious rivals and enemies?

The child princess Mutnodjme sees her beautiful sister Nefertiti married off to the impotent young Amenhotep. But Nefertiti must bear royal children, so the ladies of the court devise a shocking plan.

Kheperren, meanwhile, serves as scribe to the daring teenage general Horemheb. But while the pharaohs shrinking army guards the land of the Nile from enemies on every border, a far greater menace impends, for the newly renamed Akhnaten, not content with his own devotion to one god alone, plans to suppress the worship of all other gods in the Black Land.

Members of his horrified court soon realize that the pharaoh is not merely deformed but irretrievably mad and that the biggest danger to the empire is within the royal palace itself.

Critic Reviews:

"Australian author Greenwood, having made a name for herself with the lighthearted Phryne Fisher series, succeeds brilliantly with this gripping thriller set in ancient EgyptThe author is especially good at conveying the nitty-gritty details of life at the time." (Publishers Weekly)

"Three young people living in the time of Egypts eighteenth dynasty become a force to be reckoned with. As powerful forces fight for control, the fate of the nation hangs in the balance. From the often wildly differing conclusions of professional Egyptologists, Greenwood, best known for her mysteries, has fashioned a fascinating, plausible, and erotic tale." (Kirkus Reviews)

"Greenwood takes readers deep into the heart of ancient Egypt, making them wondermuch like Ptah-hotep doesif they will come out the other side intact. While some may argue that this story leans more toward historical fiction than mystery, the intricacies of the court and those who serve it hold more than their share of intrigue and suspense." (Library Journal)

Members Reviews:

False Advertising or an Honest Mistake?

This book should be called "Out of the Black Land - A Historical Romance Novel"

Yes, Kerry Greenwood is a well known mystery writer (I happen to be a fan of her Phryne series which is set in the 1920s). So, when I read the title of this book, I assumed that it is a detective story that's set in the Ancient Egypt. So, I kept on waiting for a crime to happen & an investigation to begin but none of them ever happened because the novel is not a mystery novel.

I love Kerry Greenwood's works; but, I'm not a historical romance fan. So, this book isn't something I want to read. But, I'm sure that many historical romance fans might love it.

Not all historical romance fans are mystery novel fans & vice versa.

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Title: SPQR VII: The Tribune's Curse

Author: John Maddox Roberts

Narrator: John Lee

Format: Unabridged

Length: 7 hrs and 16 mins

Language: English

Release date: 02-20-13

Publisher: Audible Studios

Ratings: 4.5 of 5 out of 149 votes

Genres: Mysteries & Thrillers, Historical

Publisher's Summary:

I was happier than any mere mortal has a right to be and I should have known better. The entire body of received mythology and every last Greek tragedy ever written have made one inescapable truth utterly clear: If you are supremely happy, the gods have it in for you. They don't like for mortals to be happy, and they will make you pay.

In his extensive series featuring the detecting feats of Decius Caecilius Metellus the younger, set in the Rome of 70 BC, Roberts achieves a very believable modern feeling with his well-researched description of the stories' background. This seventh episode, however, combines a familiar view of the demands office-seeking makes on a candidate with a situation that is impossibly bizarre to us today. An entire city, versed in literature, music, and the other arts, ruled democratically, for its time, is thrown into panic by an enraged man's curse.

The Consul Crassus, the wealthiest man in Rome, frustrated by the Senate's vote against his leading Rome in a war against Parthia, plans to march his private army to invade the country himself. Almost all of Rome turns out to watch him carry out his threat and lead his troops out of the city. But before he can, a powerful tribune called Ateius leaps to the top of the city's gate and invokes all the gods to put a curse on Crassus and his army. Rome is terrified. Ateius has called down a forbidden curse - the worst and most frightening blasphemy ever perpetrated. It seriously threatens the entire populace, and drastic steps to propitiate the gods must be taken immediately. Worse even, someone kills Ateius - perhaps in the vain hope that this will lighten the curse? It will not.

After joining the other men of the city in a daylong cleansing ritual that left every able-bodied male citizen, Decius included, in a state of half-collapse, Decius learns that he has been chosen to uncover the person responsible for the murder. The culprit must be found in order to complete the cleansing, and there is no one better equipped to do that than Decius. Roberts skillfully blends the playboy and the serious sleuth in Decius just as he combines what we see as contradictions in the Rome of 80 BC. He spices his story with humor and suspense, with characters charming and wise and foolish and very much like we are today. And he presents listeners with a look into another world that has them eagerly awaiting more visits.

Members Reviews:

My favorite of the series

The Tribune's Curse is my favorite story in the SPQR series. The audio version is well produced, captivating and just a great listen.

Not as Good as Other in the Series

I did not care for this story about a tribune who curses Crassus and Rome and then is murdered as I did most of the earlier books. Decius must first find the body, and then the murderer as he involves himself in current witchcraft cults emerging in the city.

The Tribune is seen being murdered on top of the wall as he curses Crassus and Rome. A search is made for his body, only to eventually find out he is not dead at all.

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Title: Stranger at the Wedding

Author: Barbara Hambly

Narrator: Anne Flosnik

Format: Unabridged

Length: 10 hrs and 40 mins

Language: English

Release date: 02-11-13

Publisher: Audible Studios

Ratings: 4.5 of 5 out of 24 votes

Genres: Mysteries & Thrillers, Historical

Publisher's Summary:

Kyra was preparing for her final wizard test before the Council. But suddenly, something was twisting her magic, weaving sinister portents of doom into even the simplest of her spells. Then she knew for certain that her young sister Alix was soon to marry--and soon to die. And so she journeyed back to the family who had disowned her. To save her sister, Kyra would have to face down her father's rage, stand firm against the venomous rivalries of her family's enemies, and confront the Inquisition. Then she must defeat a still deadlier foe--if only she could find it!

Members Reviews:

A Favorite Fantasy Series, Continued

It took me while to get to this novel, part of a favorite series, since I "had" to listen to the first three stories set in this world (The Silent Tower, Silicon Mage and Dogwizard, all newly released in audio). I tossed my usual strict monthly-credit discipline to the winds and--gasp--purchased one book as a fill-in because I just couldn't wait for the days to tick past till my next credit was due.

Anne Flosnik is a warm, accessible and varied narrator, bringing life and velocity to what is a story of family, expectations, love, the vulnerability of children and obsessives. And magic.

It's a fun story with lots of twists and turns in the middle, focused on unlikely pairings and the joys of love whether pursued or stumbled upon.

Listening to the descriptions of this worlds' mages using crystals to focus and communicate with their fellows, I said: "Of course, it's magical Skype!"

UA Regency hijinx

A standalone in the world of the Windrose chronicles. This is an entertaining fantasy world take on the ever popular Regency romance - pomp, fashion, fog, attempted murder, assorted mayhem, and of course the utterly unsuitable love interest. Charming characters and great fun.

overall well done. well read. Ann flosnick is an

excellent reader and Barbara Hambly an entertaining writer. she combines humour and emotion in such a way as to keep the story moving.

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Title: The London Blitz Murders

Subtitle: Disaster Series, Book 5

Author: Max Allan Collins

Narrator: Anne Flosnik

Format: Unabridged

Length: 5 hrs and 26 mins

Language: English

Release date: 12-11-12

Publisher: Brilliance Audio

Ratings: 4 of 5 out of 52 votes

Genres: Mysteries & Thrillers, Historical

Publisher's Summary:

Not even Jack the Ripper killed four women in five days.

A murderer is on a rampage, stalking women on the Blitz-ravaged streets of London. Looking for adult material for her next book, legendary mystery writer Agatha Christie persuades her friend forensics expert Sir Bernard Spilsbury to take her to the murder scenes. When the investigation into the serial killings leads to a theater staging one of her works, the creator of Hercule Poirot and Miss Marple puts her sleuthing skills to a real-life test. But will Agathas pursuit of the murderer make her the killers next target?

A harrowing historical thriller, The London Blitz Murders is a worthy homage to the world-renowned maven of mystery.

Members Reviews:

Good read

Excellent entry in this series. The historical research data is well done as usual. Interesting and captivating read.

Very Clever

Great idea to incorporate Agatha Christie into the story. Good research on the time period and interesting presentation with a good mystery. Narrator brought it to life. Kept my attention from start to finish in one afternoon.

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Title: The Titanic Murders

Subtitle: Disaster Series, Book 1

Author: Max Allan Collins

Narrator: Christopher Lane

Format: Unabridged

Length: 8 hrs and 5 mins

Language: English

Release date: 12-11-12

Publisher: Brilliance Audio

Ratings: 4.5 of 5 out of 49 votes

Genres: Mysteries & Thrillers, Historical

Publisher's Summary:

Three days into the maiden voyage that would end in disaster, a passenger is found dead inside a locked cabin - the victim of a murder. Jacques Futrelle, author of the popular "Thinking Machine" mysteries, is asked to use his knowledge of criminology to conduct a quiet investigation. Adding to the delicate nature of the inquiry is a suspect list that reads like a Who's Who of high society - and every single one of them has a motive for murder. Accompanied by his intrepid wife, May, Futrelle pursues leads all over the palatial ship in what would prove to be his greatest - and final - mystery.

Once again, author Max Allan Collins creates an astonishing work of historical fiction in this vivid, enthralling account of the Titanics fateful passage.

Members Reviews:

Great performance of fiction book based in history

Intriguing idea with a well told story that kept me hooked. Will definitely read others.

Fantastic & Novel Concept for Murder Mystery Fans!

I literally listen to Murder Mystery books all day long to maintain focus and lately have been so uninspired that I had taken to listening to Juvenile Fiction and some Romance/Mystery combos. This book was such a treat for my bored & uninspired mind! The premise was so thought provoking and refreshing. The story and characters provided me with some surprises. I'm all in on this "Disaster" series, can't wait to hear them all!

Good read

Even given ythat you know up front that there won't be a "happy" ending, it's well worth the read. Great plot, the usual Max Allen Collins background research that are the benchmark of this series, and one terrific narrator. 5 stars, without a doubt.

A great story

Collins creates an atmosphere of class and sophistication you would have expected to experience on the Titanic, and a good storyline to match. The only thing I can really criticize is using real people's names instead of making fictional characters to interact with the Titanic passengers. I have also seen other reviews of this book voice the same concern. Overall a great story!

Interesting Story...

As a life-long Titanic buff I found this story to be like of of the countless untold stories of so many on that fateful voyage. Although obviously fiction it was well written, well narrated and I learned about a writer I had never before heard of, who was lost with the shop and 1500 others in that dreadful night in 1912. Highly recommend!

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Title: The Pearl Harbor Murders

Subtitle: Disaster Series, Book 3

Author: Max Allan Collins

Narrator: Dan John Miller

Format: Unabridged

Length: 5 hrs and 59 mins

Language: English

Release date: 12-11-12

Publisher: Brilliance Audio

Ratings: 4 of 5 out of 36 votes

Genres: Mysteries & Thrillers, Historical

Publisher's Summary:

Two nights before the devastating military strike on Pearl Harbor, a young half-Japanese singer is found dead on a Honolulu beach. The murder appears to be a simple crime of passion, but writer Edgar Rice Burroughs - creator of Tarzan and John Carter - has his doubts.

The writers suspicions lead him and his son Hully to conduct a sub-rosa investigation into the sultry singers death. Their pursuit of the killer coincides with growing rumors of an imminent Japanese attack against the Pacific fleet stationed in Oahu. Was the victim - who had links to both military officers and suspected spies - harboring a key piece of intelligence? With the clock ticking toward infamy, the intrepid father-son team races to crack the case in this compelling historical thriller.

Members Reviews:

Another good entry

Wonderful historical research and accuracy, as usual. Interesting plot twists set in the days just before and during Dec 7, 1941, in Hawaii.

History and mystery merged.

Enjoyed the mystery and intrigue in the story and even the history mixed in. However, near the end there was a section or two with lots of historical details that bogged down the story aspect. History buffs would love it and I do feel it's important to the telling of Pearl Harbor, but I'm just not one to want to sit and read a history book. The narrator did well differentiating the characters. On the whole, I enjoyed his telling of the tale.

Could have been better!!!

Any additional comments?

The narrator did good voices. Each character was different so that was pleasant so u could tell each character apart. However when he wasnt doing a voice his voice was almost hypnotic.

I found this book really hard to concentrate on.

The actual story of police work was pretty good, but the description was so intense that it took on a life of its own. The description went so deep that it basically took u out of the story.

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Title: The Old Buzzard Had It Coming

Subtitle: An Alafair Tucker Mystery, Book 1

Author: Donis Casey

Narrator: Pam Ward

Format: Unabridged

Length: 7 hrs and 45 mins

Language: English

Release date: 12-01-12

Publisher: Blackstone Audio, Inc.

Ratings: 4 of 5 out of 27 votes

Genres: Mysteries & Thrillers, Historical

Publisher's Summary:

Alafair Tucker is a strong woman and the core of her familys life on a farm in Oklahoma where backbreaking work and the daily logistics of caring for her husband and their nine children, and of being a good neighbor, requires determination and a clear head. Shes also a woman of strong opinions, and it is her opinion that her neighbor, Harley Day, is a drunkard and a reprobate. So, when Harleys body is discovered frozen in a snowdrift one January day in 1912, she isnt surprised that his long-suffering family isnt particularly broken up.

When Alafair helps Harleys wife prepare the body for burial, she discovers that Harleys demise was anything but natural: there is a bullet lodged behind his ear. And when she hears that Harleys son, John Lee, is the prime suspect in his fathers murder, she grows concerned - her 17-year-old daughter Phoebe is in love with the boy. At first, Alafairs only fear is that Phoebe is in for a broken heart, but as she begins to unravel the events that led to Harleys death, she discovers that Phoebe might be more than just John Lees sweetheart: She may be his accomplice in murder. But a man like Harley turns many people against him, and whoever said there are some things even a mother cant fix never met Alafair Tucker.

Pitch-perfect for the Oklahoma frontier, Donis Caseys first novel in the Alafair Tucker mystery series is both a compelling mystery and a remarkable evocation of the hard work and family joys of life 100 years ago.

Donis Casey was raised in Oklahoma, earned degrees from the University of Tulsa and Oklahoma University, and has worked as a teacher and academic librarian. She lives in Arizona.

Critic Reviews:

"Donis Caseygives us a tale full of wit, humor, sorrow, and, more important, the truth. Her Alafair Tucker deserves to stand beside Ma Joad in literatures gallery of heroic ladies." (Tony Hillerman, New York Times best-selling author)

"As vivid and unforgettable as a crimson Oklahoma sunset." (Carolyn Hart, New York Times best-selling author)

"Under Donis Caseys gifted hand and shrewd historic eye, Tucker adds solving a mystery to her busy schedule. It all could easily have gone soft and cute, especially the many long visits to the Tuckers fellow farmers. But by avoiding all the built-in traps, Casey has produced a sharp and suspenseful first novel." (Chicago Tribune)

Members Reviews:

1912 Oklahoma Farm Life Plus a Mystery

Well if you ever sit back and think about the good old days of the past with the simpler life think again. This book depicts just how hard it was farming and keeping house in Oklahoma in 1912. Dawn to dusk chores and oh my the cooking for these very large families! Alafair is a smart hard-working good neighbor who keeps her family on track and solves crimes on the side. Fascinating look at life in rural Oklahoma-mules and wagons as transportation--and dinners that include 3-4 pies! Recipes are included at the end of the book. An interesting first book of a series which I enjoyed.

A winning mystery set in 1912 Oklahoma!!

Donis Casey has written a wonderfully atmospheric mystery, set in 1912 Oklahoma, in a typical farming community, where everyone know everyone else's business. The Shaw and Alafair Tucker family are the central characters, with their 9 surviving children.