Discover Most Popular Audiobooks in Mysteries & Thrillers, Modern Detective

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Title: Hundred-Dollar Baby

Subtitle: A Spenser Novel

Author: Robert B. Parker

Narrator: Joe Mantegna

Format: Unabridged

Length: 5 hrs and 20 mins

Language: English

Release date: 10-05-06

Publisher: Random House Audio

Ratings: 4 of 5 out of 271 votes

Genres: Mysteries & Thrillers, Modern Detective

Publisher's Summary:

When a mature, beautiful, and composed April strides into Spenser's office, the Boston PI barely hesitates before recognizing his once and future client. Now a well-established madam, April oversees an upscale call-girl operation in Boston's Back Bay. Still looking for Spenser's approval, it takes her a moment before she can ask him, again, for his assistance. Her business is a success; what's more, it's an all-female enterprise. Now that some men are trying to take it away from her, she needs Spenser.

April claims to be in the dark about who it is that's trying to shake her down, but with a bit of legwork and a bit more muscle, Spenser and Hawk find ties to organized crime and local kingpin Tony Marcus, as well as a scheme to franchise the operation across the country. As Spenser again plays the gallant knight, it becomes clear that April's not as innocent as she seems. In fact, she may be her own worst enemy.

Critic Reviews:

"The old pros can make it look easy, and that goes for both the author and his hero as they deliver the goods smoothly and with inimitable style." (Publishers Weekly)

Members Reviews:

Don't go the route of LeCarre and King

This is as an entertaining listen as the Parker/Mantegna pairings usually are and has quite a bit of the witty repartee that is Parker's style. I enjoyed the story, the reading of the story, and Parker's writing.

Small "however", however...Parker has put in a little bit of proselytizing regarding the 'victimless' crime of prostitution (I think there would be a few wives who'd disagree). And there a few other slyly inserted bits of political opinion here and there. I've quit reading Stephen King and Le Carre because they seem to be more interested in presenting their political opinions rather than writing a good story. Drug companies/big government/abortion rants aren't fun to read when one is in the middle of a decent story. Parker is tip-toeing into that area in this book and I hope he realizes we read his books for a good time rather than indoctrination.

But except for that little failing, it's a good read for riding back and forth to work. I chuckled out loud more than a few times. I still see the fellow who played Spenser on TV as my version when I read the books...makes for a VERY pleasant few hours of listening.

If Robert B. Parker can't cure what ails you...

...then you aint sick. Parker was a true genius. He was so productive that it might take me, a voracious reader, several more years to lap up every book he wrote. Fortunately, Joe Mantegna, one of the best narrators we have the privilege to listen to, is our tour guide here, and, if you are at all like me, you can listen to Joe Mantegna for a long, and I do mean long, time. Parker immediately makes you laugh. His protagonist, Spenser, is a private detective and a guy who is dedicated to working out, particularly at the gym, pounding the punching bag until it really ought to be bleeding. Spenser is 100% in love with Susan Silverman, a psychologist who has gotten her Ph.D. from Hah-vahd, and their love for each other is at the core of almost all of these books. The third main character is Hawk. Don't ask his last name. Hawk is a black man, Spenser's best friend and go-to-guy. Hawk is also a dedicated runner, workout guy and so forth.

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Title: Gone

Author: Jonathan Kellerman

Narrator: John Rubinstein

Format: Unabridged

Length: 11 hrs and 46 mins

Language: English

Release date: 04-04-06

Publisher: Random House Audio

Ratings: 4 of 5 out of 577 votes

Genres: Mysteries & Thrillers, Modern Detective

Publisher's Summary:

The details of the nightmarish event are shocking and brutal: The couple was carjacked at gunpoint by a masked assailant and subjected to a horrific regimen of confinement, starvation, and assault.

But before long, doubts arise about the couple's story, and as forensic details unfold, the abduction is exposed as a hoax. Charged as criminals themselves, the aspiring actors claim emotional problems, and the court orders psychological evaluation for both.

Michaela is examined by Alex Delaware, who finds that her claims of depression and stress ring true enough. But they don't explain her lies, and Alex is certain that there are hidden layers in this sordid psychodrama that even he hasn't been able to penetrate.

Nevertheless, the case is closed, only to be violently reopened when Michaela is savagely murdered. When the police look for Dylan, they find that he's gone. Is he the killer or a victim himself? Casting their dragnet into the murkiest corners of L.A., Delaware and Sturgis unearth more questions than answers, including a host of eerily identical killings. What really happened to the couple who cried wolf? And what bizarre and brutal epidemic is infecting the city with terror, madness, and sudden, twisted death?

Critic Reviews:

"The author's ability to convey the unrelenting sadness of his characters' lives and his deep psychological insights will satisfy those looking for more than mere thrills." (Publishers Weekly)

Members Reviews:

Good but not great...

My 3-star rating for this novel is in comparison to Kellerman's other Alex Delaware novels. The previous one to "Gone", ("Rage") was an outstanding thriller and as good as anything Kellerman has ever written. This one is okay. It moves Delaware's personal life forward a little bit, and gives him a little lovin' when he needs it. Milo is as ornery and unkempt as ever, and seems to have made peace with the LAPD, which suits the current political climate. The crimes and criminals are ultra-bizarre, and Alex just doesn't have the stomach for it anymore. This mystery will keep you guessing whodunit up until pretty late in the book, but after the case is solved I just kept wondering why the book didn't end! There are no loose ends here, but if you turn the book off an hour or so before it closes, you ain't gonna miss much.

Familiar territory

What did you love best about Gone?

You like or dislike the Alex Delaware series by Jonathan Kellerman, most of the story is made of long interviews and research by Alex and Milo, this one in the seedy underbelly of Los Angeles acting classes and performance art, a trap for the many hopefuls who come to the city of dreams to make a career. Especially toward the end this book has more action than usual but until then it is interview after interview to reveal the ugly truth. I must admit: I like it very much. Kellerman gives you just as much information as he wants to reveal and keeps you guessing. His dialogue is real and lifelike. No big surprises in this one but I like the series and I never encountered a dud. Even Alex on-off partner Robin is tolerable but I hope Delaware will shag up one day with the female psychologist.

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

John Rubinstein has become my favorite reader for this series.

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Title: Long Time Gone

Author: J. A. Jance

Narrator: Tim Jerome

Format: Unabridged

Length: 10 hrs and 32 mins

Language: English

Release date: 08-12-05

Publisher: HarperAudio

Ratings: 4.5 of 5 out of 185 votes

Genres: Mysteries & Thrillers, Modern Detective

Publisher's Summary:

After more than 20 years of distinguished service with the Seattle Police Department, Jonas Piedmont Beaumont is now working for the Washington State Attorney's Special Homicide Investigation Team or, as it's more commonly referred to, the SHIT squad. But the more things change, the more they stay the same.

An eyewitness to a 50-year-old murder has just come forward, and Beau has been hand-picked to lead the investigation. While undergoing hypnotherapy, a middle-aged nun unexpectedly recalls the grisly details of a cold-blooded killing she witnessed when she was five years old. Though fear has kept these memories repressed for half a century, they've now risen to the surface to cast a harsh light on a deadly plot that spans two generations. And Beau's caught in the glare, facing a ruthless band of coconspirators willing to go to any lengths to keep their secrets hidden.

Filled with all of the Jance trademarks, heart-stopping suspense, deeply drawn characters, local flavor, intelligence, and humanity, Long Time Gone is a crowning achievement in this best-selling author's career.

Critic Reviews:

"Taut, colorful....The clever and complex plot line involving the nun shows Jance at her best." (Publishers Weekly)

Members Reviews:

Wince if you're from Seattle

A very good listen; deftly carries on two investigations simultaneously. However, it is plain the narrator is not from Seattle.

I am a resident of the Seattle area and it is fun knowing the cities, streets and landmarks. It is disconcerting to have so many of them mispronounced and detracts from an otherwise good story. Narrators should review the locations and be more familiar with names and places.

Bad narrator

The series had been narrated forever by Gene Engene and he fit the character of JP Beaumont, not to mention, he knows the area where the books take place, so there were no bad phonetic pronunciations of places in and around Seattle. This narrator was making everyone sound either whiny or have an Irish accent. Just doesn't have the same timbre as Gene.

A 5 star book with the wrong narrator

If you like J A Jance's J P Beaumont series, try it with the right narrator, Gene Engene!

This one just did not capture the "flavor" of Beau or of Seattle!

Jan's review

Would you consider the audio edition of Long Time Gone to be better than the print version?

Yes as I felt I was in the room with the characters. I really like the descriptions of the various places where the story took place.

Who was your favorite character and why?

I am a huge fan of Beaumont. I read the book prior to this one when his wife died. I am hoping for a sequel.

Have you listened to any of Tim Jeromes other performances before? How does this one compare?

No this is my first that I can recall.

If you were to make a film of this book, what would the tag line be?

Probably Witness to murder as a child peeking through the basement window saw her friend killed and repressed it for 50 years. Becoming a nun which helped her forget.

Any additional comments?

I am hoping for a sequel because I like JP Beaumont. Not a fan of the other series.

Good story - narration....not so much

The narrator couldn't seem to change character voices with rate tone or inflection, so he gave people weird accents.

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Title: Blind Descent

Author: Nevada Barr

Narrator: Barbara Rosenblat

Format: Unabridged

Length: 12 hrs and 26 mins

Language: English

Release date: 07-29-04

Publisher: Recorded Books

Ratings: 4 of 5 out of 388 votes

Genres: Mysteries & Thrillers, Modern Detective

Publisher's Summary:

When park ranger Anna Pigeon embarks on a thrilling subterranean rescue mission, she confronts personal demons and a multitude of life-threatening dangers, not all of them from the hostile terrain. A fellow ranger is injured in a suspicious accident while exploring the mostly unmapped Lechuguilla Cavern in New Mexico's Carlsbad Caverns. During a fleeting moment of consciousness, the victim calls for Anna. Battling her paralyzing fear of small spaces, Anna descends into the lifeless underworld to uncover what really happened. As Anna wriggles through cramped tunnels and climbs rocky precipices, she discovers treachery and destruction lurking in the inky black just beyond her headlamp. Veteran narrator Barbara Rosenblat provides the perfect voice for the courageous, but very human, park ranger and her colleagues.

Critic Reviews:

"Thoroughly satisfying, thanks to the writing and plotting talents of a master." (Publishers Weekly)

"Barr brings the intricate, fascinating, and deadly underground world of spelunking into close and intimate focus using Anna's divergent emotions of awe and near terror as she works her way through the total blackness. Readers are immersed in the setting, and Anna's claustrophobia, tangibly intense at times, keeps the tension of the plot tautly controlled." (School Library Journal)

"Barr's gripping prose never loses its hold: we feel Anna's fear acutely, and the tension of the rescue is palpable." (Booklist)

Members Reviews:

Blind Descent

I just love Anna Pidgeon!! She sure can get herself into a mess for a friend. And this time, she does it underground. Although it was a little slow in places & full of spelunking jargon, I just couldn't turn it off! And as usual, the conclusion came out of left field. A good listen, especially with a narrator like Barbara Rosenblat!!

Unique setting

This was my first Anna Pigeon "read" and I thoroughly enjoyed it. The setting for this one--the caverns in Carlsbad--is unique, and you get to learn a bit about rock climbing as well. Good mystery.

One of Nevada Barr's Best!

I have been a Barr fan forever, and I dove into this book eagerly, having been to Carlsbad Cavern NP multiple times. I had no idea Lechugilla was even there (along with many other people, it seems!), so reading about this unexplored cave had me on the edge of my seat. Barbara Rosenblat's narration is wonderful, bringing Anna Pigeon to life just as I imagined her to be.

I absolutely love the character development, the humor even in the darkest (pun intended) of times, and the way Barr gets into Anna's head as she finds herself in one sticky situation after another. I'm no spelunker or caver, but her attention to detail made me feel as though I'd taken a course on how to get in and out of a cave alive. I also love how careful Barr is to respect the delicacy of an unexplored cave. It's obvious she has a love for nature in all she writes, and Blind Descent is no exception.

I highly recommend this book!

Boring

This book is too boring. I don't recommend it. Nevada Barr's other books are better.

Blind Descent

I enjoyed this audio book very much. The author kept the suspense up throughout the book with more surprises around each corner. The narrator helped me to feel apart of the book.

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Title: Murder She Meowed

Author: Rita Mae Brown

Narrator: Kate Forbes

Format: Unabridged

Length: 7 hrs and 57 mins

Language: English

Release date: 07-29-04

Publisher: Recorded Books

Ratings: 4.5 of 5 out of 118 votes

Genres: Mysteries & Thrillers, Modern Detective

Publisher's Summary:

What do steeplechase, playing cards, and daggers have in common? They all play vital roles in the intricately woven plot of Sneaky Pie and her human cohort Rita Mae Brown in this delightful mystery. While Mary "Harry" Haristeen and her cat Mrs. Murphy attend the annual steeplechase at Montpelier, Mrs. Murphy discovers something amiss. During the celebration following the race, one of the jockeys is found dead in the barn, a dagger through his heart and the queen of clubs impaled by the dagger. Hot on the killer's trail, Mrs. Murphy is joined by a wistful band of barn mice when the killer strikes again. But can she make her human partner understand before yet another life is lost? Acclaimed across the globe, this mystery series is a perennial fan favorite.

Hear talking cat-sleuth

in these other mysteries from Rita Mae Brown.

©1996 American Artists, Inc. (P)2002 Recorded Books

Critic Reviews:

"The Browns once again blend plot, character and atmosphere with plenty of wit and charm to create a delightful entertainment." (Publishers Weekly) "Colorful, by now familiar characters, sharp humor, a clever plot, and talking, semi-anthropomorphic animals whose powers of observation and deduction often surpass those of their human associates (even the stable mice squeak out) make for fast-course entertainment." (Booklist)

Members Reviews:

Animal Lover's Delight

I have read all of the "Mrs. Murphy" series and of course I was just as delighted with the Audible Books on my MP3. The only complaint I have with this book is the pronunciation of the city of Sevierville, TN. It is supposed to be pronounced like "severe weather"; "Severe-ville". I live about 150 miles from there; and I know Dolly Parton can pronounce Sevierville! In this audible version, it...well I don't know how to "spell" it. It was so comical, I played it for everyone in my family. And it was actually pronounced differently each time it was used in the reading. Kate Forbes does a wonderful job, maybe just a little more research would have done the trick.

Relaxing to be a cat?!

Harry refects on how relaxing it must be to be a cat. Just tell that to Mrs. Murphy and Pewter-- and don't forget T. Tucker, the adorable Welsh Corgi!

I love this series and even enjoy re-reading various titles. The only blemish in this book? Well, see if you can figure that out for yourself. The characters are well fleshed out and the scenery makes me want to visit central Virginia!

The voice of the narrator, Kate Forbes, is a delightful Virginian accent. Enjoy this book as much as I have and you will have had a wonderful escape from your daily world!

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Title: Playing for the Ashes

Author: Elizabeth George

Narrator: Derek Jacobi

Format: Abridged

Length: 3 hrs

Language: English

Release date: 08-09-01

Publisher: Random House AudioBooks

Ratings: 4 of 5 out of 84 votes

Genres: Mysteries & Thrillers, Modern Detective

Publisher's Summary:

The suspicious remains bring Detective Inspector Thomas Lynley and his partner Detective Sergeant Barbara Havers out of their London territory and into conflict with the local investigator. Treading carefully, they begin investigating the ripples of shock spreading outward from the crime: from Gabriella Patten's husband to Kenneth Fleming, a member of the national cricket team, and his estranged wife, whose hopes for a reconciliation have been permanently smashed; from a wealthy widow who has allowed a much younger man to live his dream of playing cricket, to her wayward daughter, faced with a devastating choice.

All of England, as well as the magnetic world of national cricket, soon discovers itself reeling from the shock of this particular crime, and Lynley and Havers find themselves working the most frustrating - and politically dangerous - case of their careers.

Members Reviews:

Good Story, but...

A good story, but it was a shame to have to listen to an abridged version. The novels written by Elizabeth George are so commplex and subtle, that a more complete version is a fundamental requirement.

Abridged to the point of confusion!

I was so bummed that so much of this story was missing - it made much more sense when I read the book. The audio book didn't actually explain all the threads of the mystery - there's a whole alibi that never got checked/explained. Loved the book and the performance. Very disappointed in the missing pieces.

Playing for Ashes

Awful sound quality, and the music in between chapters was incredibly distracting. Even the story was good, this was a let-down after listening to This Body of Death.

What a Narrator!!

Derek Jacobi is a fine actor and a great narrator. He can act out all the voices, even the women's voices. I'll listen to anything he reads.

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Title: Revenge of the Spellmans

Author: Lisa Lutz

Narrator: Ari Graynor

Format: Unabridged

Length: 9 hrs and 47 mins

Language: English

Release date: 03-10-09

Publisher: Simon & Schuster Audio

Ratings: 4.5 of 5 out of 285 votes

Genres: Mysteries & Thrillers, Modern Detective

Publisher's Summary:

Private investigator Isabel Spellman is back on the case and back on the couch - in court-ordered therapy after getting a little too close to her previous subject.

As the book opens, Izzy is on hiatus from Spellman Inc. But when her boss, Milo, cuts her bartending hours and introduces her to a "friend" looking for a private eye, Izzy reluctantly finds herself with a new client. She assures herself that the case -- a suspicious husband who wants his wife tailed -- will be short and sweet, and will involve nothing more than the most boring of PI rituals: surveillance. But with each passing hour, Izzy finds herself with more questions than hard evidence.

Meanwhile, Spellmania continues. Izzy's brother, David, the family's most upright member, has adopted an uncharacteristically unkempt appearance and attitude toward work, life, and Izzy. And their wayward youngest sister, Rae, a historic academic underachiever, aces the PSATs and subsequently offends her study partner and object of obsession, Detective Henry Stone, to the point of excommunication. The only unsurprising behavior comes from her parents, whose visits to Milo's bar amount to thinly veiled surveillance and artful attempts (read: blackmail) at getting Izzy to return to the Spellman Inc. fold.

As the case of the wayward wife continues to vex her, Izzy's personal life -- and mental health -- seem to be disintegrating. Facing a housing crisis, she can't sleep, she can't remember where she parked her car, and, despite her shrinks' persistence, she can't seem to break through in her appointments. She certainly can't explain why she forgets dates with her lawyer's grandson, or fails to interpret the come-ons issued in an Irish brogue by Milo's new bartender. Nor can she explain exactly how she feels about Detective Henry Stone and his plans to move in with his new Assistant DA girlfriend...

Members Reviews:

Sorry Ari Graynor, you ruined it for me!

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

If Christina Moore was reading, I'd have listened twice. Fortunately, I don't sit and listen to a book or I'd have wasted time. In fact, I wasn't able to finish.

Who was your favorite character and why?

I didn't get far enough into the book to know. I couldn't tolerate Ari Graynor's reading.

Would you be willing to try another one of Ari Graynors performances?

No, can't do it.

Was Revenge of the Spellmans worth the listening time?

See below....not with the reader.

Any additional comments?

What makes or breaks an audiobook is the reader, and Christina Moore is Izzy Spellman and the Spellman family. I apologise to Ari Graynor, but she brings no life to the Spellman family. This disappoints me, as I love the Spellman series and have little time for conventional reading due to work and farm life, and listen to audiobooks on my iPhone as I do various home and farm work, and when I'm driving. Ms. Graynor sounds like she is reading the books aloud to a class or child. I won't be able to complete the book, it is too painful; no exaggeration. I have not found a Lisa Lutz book I don't like, so I gave the book itself a good review.

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Title: Cold Blooded

Author: Lisa Regan

Narrator: Laura Jennings

Format: Unabridged

Length: 10 hrs and 2 mins

Language: English

Release date: 06-30-16

Publisher: Cherry Hill Publishing, LLC

Ratings: 4.5 of 5 out of 26 votes

Genres: Mysteries & Thrillers, Modern Detective

Publisher's Summary:

Fourteen years ago, high school track star Sydney Adams was gunned down in Philadelphia's Fairmount Park. The investigation yielded useless clues, and the case went cold. But homicide detective Augustus Knox never gave up on finding Sydney's killer. Now retired from the police force and with only months to live, he enlists the help of private investigator Jocelyn Rush to clear the case once and for all.

Armed with little more than a theory as to who murdered Sydney, Jocelyn tries to lure a killer into the open. But unraveling the mystery means facing off against a cunning psychopath whose ruthlessness knows no bounds. When more bodies start to pile up, Jocelyn has to decide just how far she's willing to go to catch a cold-blooded killer.

Members Reviews:

Story really good

Really enjoyed the story but I didn't care for the narrator's reading style. She was too dramatic and often her emphasis was in the wrong place. She took breaths in the middle of sentences which made them sound weird.

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Title: The Cat Who Knew a Cardinal

Author: Lilian Jackson Braun

Narrator: George Guidall

Format: Unabridged

Length: 6 hrs and 47 mins

Language: English

Release date: 03-08-06

Publisher: Phoenix Books

Ratings: 4.5 of 5 out of 421 votes

Genres: Mysteries & Thrillers, Modern Detective

Publisher's Summary:

But worst of all, Qwill finds a body in his apple orchard. When Qwill's friend becomes the chief suspect, he embarks on a crusade to clear Dennis Hough's name and win back Polly Duncan's heart. Even Koko sniffs out a few clues. But will their efforts be too little too late? Not even Koko knows for sure in the quirky, engaging romp through Moose County.

Members Reviews:

lovely

I've read about a half dozen of these "The Cat Who..." books. They are pretty consistently light and airy, enjoyable books. So I wasn't expecting anything more from an audiobook version, but the narrator did an excellent job and really enhanced the story for me, being very skilled at changing his voice/accent just a bit for each character... and he knows his Siamese cat voices, too! He made the funny parts funnier and the sad parts sadder. I will look for more narrations by George Guidall! Love him.

RELAX IN PICKAXE

I live in large metropolitan area. When I want to get my thoughts away from the big city (or Down Below as it is called in the books), these stories work as a "mini" vacation for me.

The stories are moderately paced and light. There are recurring characters along with characters unique to each story. I find the characters interesting, somewhat quirky and mostly pleasant. You will find no serial killers in Pickaxe City. Neither will you find graphic sex or violence.

In my opinion these stories are enhanced by the excellent narration of George Guidall. He uses just the right amount of distinction in character voices.

These are audio books I listen to over and over. So far I haven't tired of visiting Jim Qwilleran and his friends.

The Cat Who...

Would you listen to The Cat Who Knew a Cardinal again? Why?

Yes, I would listen to it again. The stories are so engaging, the characters are just fun to be with.

What does George Guidall bring to the story that you wouldnt experience if you just read the book?

He brings out the humor in the story, and he is so good with making all the characters distinct, including those cats, who of course are what brings me back to the story again!

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

I laughed quite a lot, especially the cat antics.

Any additional comments?

I am looking forward to listening to whole series.

Charming

What did you love best about The Cat Who Knew a Cardinal?

The best part of this audiobook is the narration - George Guidall is such a treat!

What was one of the most memorable moments of The Cat Who Knew a Cardinal?

The description of the interior of the barn was delightful.

Which scene was your favorite?

The denoument was my favorite scene.

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

Nope.

Any additional comments?

A slight story - not much of a mystery. But a charming tale nonetheless.

Delightful

I have read a few of 'The Cat Who' novels, and listening to an auidiobook version was completely delightful.

The stories in these books are intended to be light and fluffy without alot of blood and gore.

The story flows nicely and the narrator does a fanstastic job.

If you haven't read the other novels (in order) you might feel a little lost on the characters, but it is not hard to be captivated by the interesting people and personalities.

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Title: Touchstone

Author: Laurie R. King

Narrator: Jefferson Mays

Format: Unabridged

Length: 17 hrs and 28 mins

Language: English

Release date: 10-23-08

Publisher: Recorded Books

Ratings: 4.5 of 5 out of 270 votes

Genres: Mysteries & Thrillers, Modern Detective

Publisher's Summary:

His existence shattered by the Great War, Bennett Grey is investigated by an American agent who thinks he may be useful for protecting national security. U.S. Bureau of Investigation agent Harris Stuyvesant's first inclination is to let his fists do the talking. But he's well out of his jurisdiction, having traveled across the Atlantic to dig up clues on an Englishman he believes responsible for terrorist acts in the States. After turning up a lead that draws him from London far into the English countryside, Harris meets Bennett Grey, a shell-shocked veteran whose war wounds left him with a unique talent that may hold the key to cracking the case.

Members Reviews:

Great characters, but plot is a bit of a jumble

I absolutely love the characters in Touchstone, but I didn't find the story as compelling as some of King's other works.

Bennett Gray, the "touchstone" of the title, is meant to be a main character and is surprisingly sidelined in the action. He's there, tagging along at a number of points, but not really part of the action if that makes sense. This is a disappointment as he's more interesting than some of the others, but it also makes for a bit of awkwardness as you wonder just what the point of him is at times. His unusual skill in heightened awareness or rapid cognition aren't really used in the "dectection" of the mystery, but rather as a secondary plot.

Lead dectector, Harry Stuyvesant, is also complex and likable, plus there's a good, if somewhat obvious, villain.

The weak point here is the plot. Unfortunately, the end doesn't really surprise. This is in part because the lead suspect is a) announced as such from the start, and b) gets very little screen time. And there are very few other options as to who it might be. The main plot detours from it's original focus, and the secondary plot doesn't tie in well, so it's a bit of a jumble in places.

In the end, you want to know more about the characters, want to know what happens to them next and really want a better book for them ??? all of which is happening as King says "The book I'll be writing this year [2012] is set in Paris, 1929, and is about some of the characters from Touchstone."

Jefferson Mays was a fine narrator, though something felt "off" to me about his voice for Bennett Gray. Nothing specifically wrong with it, but just not how I "hear" Bennett. And his voice for American Stuyvesant was a good effort, but sounded stilted especially with Harry's constant use of slang.

Very good story, a little slow in places.

Like all of Ms. King's stories, this one unfolds slowly and deliberately. Usually this serves to build suspense, but it didn't work so well in this story. There were a few places that I found rather tedious and just couldn't wait to get past. Overall, though, it is a good story, rich with scenic detail, history, and interesting characters.

Narrator Jefferson Mays did a very good job with the material. He has a strong masculine voice, but was still able to do the female voices convincingly. He carried off the various British accents very well.

Good... but kinda dull

I am a big fan of this author. I've enjoyed so many of her audiobooks but this one lacked tension. It just sorta lagged. There was no excitement, no characters I fell in love with, just sorta bland...