Discover Most Popular Audiobooks in Mysteries & Thrillers, Modern Detective Top 100

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Title: The Day of the Dead

Subtitle: The Autumn of Commissario Ricciardi: The Commissario Ricciardi Series, Book 4

Author: Maurizio de Giovanni

Narrator: Grover Gardner

Format: Unabridged

Length: 11 hrs and 16 mins

Language: English

Release date: 11-25-15

Publisher: Blackstone Audio, Inc.

Ratings: 5 of 5 out of 3 votes

Genres: Mysteries & Thrillers, Modern Detective

Publisher's Summary:

In this fourth installment of the internationally successful Commissario Ricciardi series, the commissario investigates the death of Matteo, one of the many street urchins who live hand to mouth in the dark alleys of 1930s Naples. While at first the death seems provoked by natural causes, there's more to the tragedy than meets the eye.

Commissario Ricciardi is the undisputed wizard of Neapolitan crime scenes. He solves every crime with an uncanny swiftness that leaves his colleagues dumbfounded. Indeed, there are those who think his abilities are the work of the devil, an unnatural and ungodly gift to be exorcised. And maybe they're right. Ricciardi sees the dead; he sees and hears the final moments in the lives of those who have suffered violent deaths. It may be a talent, or it may be a curse, but it is nonetheless a kind of black magic. Sometimes, however, even black magic isn't enough.

It's a rainy autumn in Naples, and the fog lies thick over the city as its inhabitants celebrate the week of the dead. Ricciardi's instincts tell him that the dead boy is the victim of a murder, but investigating the homicide is not going to be easy. The authorities want to avoid any trouble, any sign that things are not as they ought to be in Naples, for they are preparing for the state visit of Benito Mussolini. Ricciardi will have to conduct his investigation hidden from the eyes of his superiors. What's worse, his sixth sense is no help to him this time: The scene of the crime is silent, still, not a word or a sign or even a scream from the dead. Has his unwelcome gift finally faded? Or is something more sinister at work?

Members Reviews:

Another great read from this author

I've read all four of the (to-date) Commissario Luigi Ricciardi novels, and loved them all. I am hopeful that the author will continue with the series. This one, as others have pointed out, is the "darkest" of the series. The entire mood is dark, from the depressing weather of constant rain and dampness to loneliness and depression, even more than previous novels in the series, of Commissario Ricciardi. The plot is basically based on the death of an 8 year old poor street urchin, nicknamed "Tette", doubly cursed with both a terrible speech impediment and being woefully undersized. He is cared for by the Church, but as we find out the conditions and care are anything but good. The entire group of kids are left to their own devices, with poor treatment by the Church. What appears on the surface as accidental poisoning through ingestion of strychnine-laced bread intended to kill rats, and universally declared as such by the doctor, police, and church, essentially puts the case in the "dead" file - no investigation needed. But the Commissario is intrigued and, on his own time, doggedly works to find out more about this unfortunate child and perhaps about his death. As in previous books, he is highly reliant on his unique ability, through what he calls "the Deed", to see and hear a dying persons last moments which, in this series, helps him to eventually solve the crime. But, in order to use "the Deed", he needs to be physically at the death site. Since Tette's body was moved, he cannot use the deed, hence the investigation is stagnated.

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Title: The Order of Things

Author: Graham Hurley

Narrator: Jonathan Keeble

Format: Unabridged

Length: 9 hrs and 56 mins

Language: English

Release date: 11-19-15

Publisher: Orion Publishing Group

Ratings: 4 of 5 out of 59 votes

Genres: Mysteries & Thrillers, Modern Detective

Publisher's Summary:

D/S Jimmy Suttle is called to a brutal murder in the picturesque Devon village of Lympstone. Harriet Reilly, a local GP, has been found disembowelled in the bedroom of her partner, climate scientist Alois Bentner.

Suttle's estranged wife, Lizzie, has abandoned Portsmouth, moved to Exeter and returned to journalism, hearing rumours of a local GP offering mercy killings to patients meeting certain criteria. The name of the GP is Harriet Reilly.

So begins two investigations of the same crime. Operation Buzzard, with D/S Suttle at its heart, and Lizzie, piecing together her own version of the events that led to Harriet Reilly's death.

The fourth novel in the Jimmy Suttle series is a story of ultimate betrayal, reaching much further and wider than its Devon roots.

Members Reviews:

Predictible and a little boring

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

Less predictable plot twists and situations. It seemed to me that Mr. Hurley was on auto-pilot when he wrote this one.

Would you ever listen to anything by Graham Hurley again?

Possibly. I think his novels are much better when he hoses an audience and writes for them, such as mystery readers or social issue readers or alternative life-style readers but not all. I know characters need dimension but too much dimension just leaves them flat.

What does Jonathan Keeble bring to the story that you wouldnt experience if you just read the book?

Jonathan Keeble is always fabulous. One of my most favorite Jonathan Keeble performances is: A Cure For All Diseases by Reginald Hill.,

What character would you cut from The Order of Things?

Where to start...

Strong Performance; Silly Character Development

What would have made The Order of Things better?

The author should pay more attention to the mystery and less to Jimmy Suttle's back-and-forth with his estranged wife, Lizzie. She's never been very interesting--is whiny and self-involved--and has become less interesting as the series has continued. Neither the couple's relationship nor their response to the loss of their daughter rings true. I've stuck with this series through several books, but this one has finally put me off. I don't care what happens to these characters anymore.

What do you think your next listen will be?

Something by Charles Cumming

Have you listened to any of Jonathan Keebles other performances before? How does this one compare?

Yes, Tapping at My Door. He's a strong performer and not the problem with this audiobook.

What character would you cut from The Order of Things?

Lizzie Suttle, without a doubt. But Jimmy's inability to be honest with any woman he's involved with is getting tiresome, too.

Ludicrous female characters

Barely plausible plot. Jaundiced depiction of women and their relationships with men and women in this disappointing Hurley novel.

If you're a warmista you will love it

If you don't mind being brainwashed by the current Globull Warming propaganda with a bit of lesbianism thrown in you'll probably love it. I fast forwarded through much of the propaganda and really only stuck with it because I was short of a book on my walk.

Enjoable

If you could sum up The Order of Things in three words, what would they be?

Enjoyed the plot, well thought out and presented, great narration.

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Title: American Blood

Subtitle: A Novel

Author: Ben Sanders

Narrator: George Newbern

Format: Unabridged

Length: 9 hrs and 48 mins

Language: English

Release date: 11-17-15

Publisher: Macmillan Audio

Ratings: 4 of 5 out of 24 votes

Genres: Mysteries & Thrillers, Modern Detective

Publisher's Summary:

After a botched undercover operation, ex-NYPD officer Marshall Grade is living in witness protection in Santa Fe, New Mexico. Marshall's instructions are to keep a low profile: the mob wants him dead, and a contract killer known as the Dallas Man has been hired to track him down. Racked with guilt over wrongs committed during his undercover work, and seeking atonement, Marshall investigates the disappearance of a local woman named Alyce Ray. Members of a drug ring seem to hold clues to Ray's whereabouts, but hunting traffickers is no quiet task. Word of Marshall's efforts spreads, and soon the worst elements of his former life, including the Dallas Man, are coming for him.

Members Reviews:

American Blood is RED HOT!

What did you love best about American Blood?

Sanders uses brief sentences brilliantly to capture vivid images scene details. This book may be a great movie soon, but it is a GREAT LISTEN now!

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Title: Sweet Home Mystery Series (Books 1-3)

Subtitle: A Cozy Mystery

Author: Constance Barker

Narrator: Angel Clark

Format: Unabridged

Length: 7 hrs and 12 mins

Language: English

Release date: 11-10-15

Publisher: Constance Barker

Ratings: 3.5 of 5 out of 35 votes

Genres: Mysteries & Thrillers, Modern Detective

Publisher's Summary:

Lily and her aunts, Essie and Hildie, along with their man friends, Toe and Harvey, find themselves in all sorts of predicaments, including murder right in their own shop, the Coffee Cabana. Follow along as shenanigans turn into crimes and the hot java never stops flowing.

Members Reviews:

A fun set of stories!

This audiobook was provided by the author, narrator, or publisher at no cost in exchange for an unbiased review courtesy of Audiobook Blast.

I really enjoyed the Sweet Home Mystery Series. This book is the first three stories in the series which arent intertwined but do build on one another so they can be read independently. The characters are fun (although Lily, admittedly, needs to get some more self-esteem) and the stories are fun and interesting and the book is well written.

The only complaint that I had which kept it from being a full 4 star book (and they dont let you do half stars) is that the first two books in the story dont have a building story where the characters run around finding clues trying to lead you to whos done it (or misdirecting the reader). The author does a good job of keeping you guessing who-done-it but then something big happens and we find out who the killer is. However in the third story (which is a bit longer then the first two) she does to a good job of doing this so maybe shes hit her stride. Either way I think if you enjoy cozy mysteries this would be a good addition to your library.

Ms. Clark did a great job with the narration with great timing and distinguishing all the characters. She really helps bring the story to life!

I didn't care for the story.

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

The narrator was acceptable, but the story wasn't worth listening until the end.

What do you think your next listen will be?

I haven't decided what book to listen to next.

Would you listen to another book narrated by Angel Clark?

Perhaps.

What character would you cut from Sweet Home Mystery Series (Books 1-3)?

Most of them, I found them to be irritating people.

A Great Series

What made the experience of listening to Sweet Home Mystery Series (Books 1-3) the most enjoyable?

I struggle with narrator's voice but once I got past it, I really enjoyed the series. I didn't realize until about mid way through the first book that I recognized the cat Mr. Pickles from another book. I looked at my history and realized that I had already listened to and rated the 2nd book in the series.

What was one of the most memorable moments of Sweet Home Mystery Series (Books 1-3)?

The aunts and their shenigagians.

What about Angel Clarks performance did you like?

Her voice is really loud and boisterous and it is hard at times not to cringe when you are wearing ear buds because of voice volumn can increase. She does perform the characters well though, once you get used to her loud tone.

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

Not really

Any additional comments?

This audiobook was provided by the author, narrator, or publisher at no cost in exchange for an unbiased review courtsey of AudiobookBlast.

Coffee, enough said!

I would have finished this book in one session, if life didn't get in the day. The characters evolved so much during the story.

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Title: Cemetery Lake

Author: Paul Cleave

Narrator: Paul Ansdell

Format: Unabridged

Length: 11 hrs and 3 mins

Language: English

Release date: 11-10-15

Publisher: Dreamscape Media, LLC

Ratings: 4 of 5 out of 31 votes

Genres: Mysteries & Thrillers, Modern Detective

Publisher's Summary:

A chilling case of unsolved murders and mistaken identities unravels when a lake in a Christchurch cemetery releases its grip on the murky past in this exciting crime thriller from the internationally best-selling author of The Laughterhouse.

Cemetery Lake begins in a cold and rainy graveyard, where Private Detective Theodore Tate is overseeing an exhumation. But doubts are raised about the identity of the body found in the coffin.

Originally published in Paul Cleave's native New Zealand in 2008, Cemetery Lake is the first novel to feature Theodore Tate. It is full of the clever plot twists and sardonic humor for which Cleave has become known. Encompassing the universal battle against the darkness within in this entertaining crime novel.

Members Reviews:

Whoa! Unusual Story Gripping End To End

Complex. Inventive. Thoughtful. Oh... and dark. Yep, it's about Cemetery Lake, both literally and metaphorically. Paul Cleave's written a compelling script that Paul Ansdell cunningly interprets. I'm off to find another book from this team. 15 Stars!

I really did not enjoy this book

I finished the book, only because I hoped at some point it would get better. (Then it ended without having done so)

First let me say that the writing was good, the Narrator was great, and the subject matter might appeal to some.

Now that the pros are out of the way:

I completely agree with another reviewer, in that I detest the representation of the main character and will read no future books, by this author, with this main character.

The story centers far more around the (annoyingly depressing and irritating) main character's decent into alcoholism and tendency to take justice into his own hands, rather than the mystery itself.

If you cut out the excessive rambling introspection of the main character, the actually mystery would be a short story.. and a very short one at that.

I also found it annoying that, repeatedly, this ex-cop main character chooses courses of action that don't include involving the police, even to the detriment of supplying himself with an alibi. (based on the overly-repeated, and rather weak excuse of feeling responsible)

Not my idea of a good book, but if self reproach, repeated long-winded recounting of past experiences as an excuse for alcoholism and vigilantism, with a serial murder case as background fodder, are your thing; you may like it.

Almost Stopped Reading Half Way In, Glad I Didn't

Former cop, current private eye Theo Tate stands and watches an exhumation. Then his attention is drawn to the lake that the cemetary overlooks. As the rusted coffin of Henry Martin heaves into view out of the earth, three bodies rise to the surface from the depth of the lake.

The genre is called New Zealand Noire. And it is really dark. About half way in I thought that the author had wrapped everything up and couldn't figure what he was going to do for the second half of the book. However, I was really wrong. I kept going and found out that Cleave's story twists and turns and I enjoyed it to the very end.

The narrator was quite good also. I am hoping that Audible.com adds more Theo Tate novels to it's collection.

Races right along

The narrator pulled me along so quickly in the plot that huge faults in police practice hardly mattered And this is a good thing. This is a great mystery.

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Title: A Sprinkle of Tropical Trouble: A Cozy Mystery

Subtitle: Caesars Creek Mystery Series, Book 9

Author: Constance Barker

Narrator: Angel Clark

Format: Unabridged

Length: 1 hr and 33 mins

Language: English

Release date: 11-10-15

Publisher: Constance Barker

Ratings: 4.5 of 5 out of 8 votes

Genres: Mysteries & Thrillers, Modern Detective

Publisher's Summary:

A stunning tropical resort, dead bodies, and an odd mumbling man....

Stormi's honeymoon has finally arrived, and the gang is all there to celebrate with the newlyweds. However, it isn't long before a new murder mystery occurs, upsetting the normal tranquility of the resort.

Find out what happens when Tara, Stormi, and Paige take matters into their own hands and discover they may be in way over their heads.

Join Tara and the crew as they take a small break from their delicious ice cream concoctions to indulge in fruity and tropical drinks.

This is the ninth book in the Caesars Creek Mystery series; however, it can be heard as a standalone.

Members Reviews:

Great Read

I love all of this series. I hope that there are more of this series to come. I like the way the main characters seem to get along & there are no petty jealousies involved. So please write another of this series soon.

SUPER STORY

This story is as good as all the others. The plot is well planned and carried out. I recommend all of her books. Enjoy.

Jeanne Zabst

awesome!

As always, the writing is fabulous. I have enjoyed every story and wanting more!

Great author

Love this author and her story line is really captures your attention.

Agreat andenoyable read!

I enjoyed the book very much!

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Title: Tenacity

Subtitle: A Thriller: Lieutenant Danielle Lewis, Book 1

Author: J. S. Law

Narrator: Lisa Coleman

Format: Unabridged

Length: 10 hrs and 39 mins

Language: English

Release date: 11-03-15

Publisher: Blackstone Audio, Inc.

Ratings: 5 of 5 out of 3 votes

Genres: Mysteries & Thrillers, Modern Detective

Publisher's Summary:

Two hundred meters below the ocean's surface, you can't run, you can't hide, and the truth won't set you free.

An officer hangs himself in the engine room of naval submarine HMS Tenacity. A woman's murder bears disturbing similarities to an old case. Lieutenant Danielle "Dan" Lewis grasps for the truth - before it submerges in the gray waters of the English Channel. Cramped, claustrophobic, and under strict command, the confines of HMS Tenacity are unwelcoming in the best of circumstances. For Dan, the only female aboard, who must methodically interrogate a tight-knit and hostile crew, it's her own special place in hell.

Recently reassigned to the Special Investigation Branch's Kill Team, Dan's hardheaded reputation precedes her. But facing an obstinate ship's company, a commanding officer too eager to close the case, and a constant threat of unfriendly male interest, she learns that under enough pressure, everyone has their breaking point.

Members Reviews:

Great book

Loved this book! It's well read and a good story! I'm hoping for more Dan Lewis!

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Title: Granny Snows a Sneak

Subtitle: A Fuchsia, Minnesota Mystery Book 3

Author: Julie Seedorf

Narrator: Priscilla Finch

Format: Unabridged

Length: 6 hrs and 52 mins

Language: English

Release date: 10-23-15

Publisher: Julie Seedorf

Ratings: 5 of 5 out of 5 votes

Genres: Mysteries & Thrillers, Modern Detective

Publisher's Summary:

Granny may be retired as Fuchsia, Minnesota's one-woman undercover sleuth for the Fuchsia Police Department, but that doesn't mean she still doesn't need a trusty weapon. Her weapon of choice? A pink snow shovel. When Granny runs over a dead body with her snowmobile, she unwittingly sets off a chain of events that involves mislabeled corpses, empty graves, and stolen money - lots of it! Who's at the bottom of this years-old crime? Granny has an idea, but she has little time to investigate, when in just days she's scheduled to marry the love of her life, Franklin Gatsby, in a post-Christmas ceremony. So, Granny decides to enlist the help of her friends and neighbors. Add in Christmas holiday excitement and the arrival of Granny's family, who are all there for her wedding, and mayhem ensues. Of course, Granny can always count on her many furry friends to provide her with moral support, but it's quite possible that Granny - that is, Hermiony Vidalia Criony Fiddlestadt - has a secret or two of her own, which may very well be revealed as Granny Snows a Sneak.

Members Reviews:

One of the Silliest, Most Unique Books

This book is one of the funniest, silliest books I have read in a long time. While the plot itself is fun and creative, the subtext is of people's expectations that they force on each other, in particular that of senior citizens. Granny loves her wild nightwear that proclaims how sexy she is and hides her wine bottles in her chair. Further, she has a secret door where she keeps her stash. She has to do all this to keep her family from knowing that she isn't the frail old lady her family expects her to be.

It is really hard to summarize this book because there are so many different pieces that merge together, but one of my favorite parts is the group of animals that Granny shares with her fiance. The funniest is Mrs. Bleaty, the goat who has fallen in love with the neighbor's parrot.

I also enjoy Granny's patterns of speech, which involve all sorts of rhymes, which improve over the course of the stores.

The title comes from the fact that in each book, Granny gets a new weapon. In Granny Hooks a Crook, she uses the handle of her umbrella. In Granny Skewers a Scoundrel, she uses a cane made of a knitting needle. Now in this book, she uses a shovel, fashioned to double as a cane.

I highly recommend this book, but I deeply encourage you to read the books in order. The first is kind of weak, but if you get through to the end, you'll appreciate it and be able to enjoy the next two fun books.

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Title: Dead Lies

Author: Cybele Loening

Narrator: Keely J. Wolter

Format: Unabridged

Length: 10 hrs and 53 mins

Language: English

Release date: 08-27-15

Publisher: Cybele

Ratings: 4 of 5 out of 121 votes

Genres: Mysteries & Thrillers, Modern Detective

Publisher's Summary:

Former NYPD cop Anna Valentine just landed her first homicide case - the grisly double murder of a wealthy young couple. But it couldn't have come at a worse time. Recovering from recent personal tragedies, the young police officer just moved with her traumatized child to the suburbs where she hoped to pursue a quiet life and heal. To complicate matters, although she's sworn off men until she and her son are happy and whole again, Anna feels the pull of attraction to the handsome twin brother of one of the victims, a man who has yet to be crossed off the suspect list. Teaming up with lead detective Jerry Kreeger, a 57-year-old veteran cop who's lonely, broke, and close to burnout, Anna chases a crafty killer and ultimately exposes a family's shocking secrets that will rock a town.

Members Reviews:

Narrator Sucks

Just started. Story seems good but the monotone narration is ruining it. I don't know if I can finish because of it. Why does someone with a voice like this keep getting jobs? Pitiful.

AGONIZING!

Is there anything you would change about this book?

The narrator

What was the most interesting aspect of this story? The least interesting?

It had a good storyline but the narration was so bad it couldn't keep my interest..

Who would you have cast as narrator instead of Keely J. Wolter?

Orlagh Cassidy

Did Dead Lies inspire you to do anything?

give the author a second chance, if there's a different narrator.

First try with author maybe last

What did you like best about Dead Lies? What did you like least?

I liked the Story line-i didnt like the interaction with the main characters.

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

don't think I could fix this book, things ran all over the place and didnt seem to connect.

How did the narrator detract from the book?

In every way. She was dull and didnt put any life in the charaters. In fact her voice didnt even alter a bit so that you knew it was someone else talking. The entire book was read witout emotion. I kept falling asleep .

Did Dead Lies inspire you to do anything?

Yes it made me think very hard about buying this auther again. I will also make sure i do not get a book read by this narrator . I was really disappointed because so many people gave it a good rating and it just flopped for me

Monotone narrator....

I'm 7.5 hours in to this book and finally turned it off. Deleted it. I'd return it but I don't think that's right since I've listened to three quarters.....

It goes nowhere. On top of that? The narrators voice has to be one of the worst I've listened to. I'd give her the benefit of the doubt if the story was mediocre....

Please listen and read the other reviewers. I wish I would of.

A thrilling read.

This was really good. I had a hard time unplugging from it.

Character wise, I loved them all really. Each was well written and developed. Anna lost her son and decided to move to a small town. Her ex husband is an addict and her other son, is still suffering the loss of his twin. She has a lot going on but is determined to put the past behind her. I admired her spirit! She was plucky, brave and loyal. She is also smart, resourceful and determined.

Web is the twin of a woman who is murdered. He hears her being killed on the phone and races over there, but it's too late.

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Title: The Cat Who Smelled Murder

Subtitle: Sky Valley Cozy Mystery Cat Series Volume 1

Author: William Jarvis

Narrator: Bradley Griffiths

Format: Unabridged

Length: 1 hr and 41 mins

Language: English

Release date: 07-27-15

Publisher: Yap Kee Chong

Ratings: 3 of 5 out of 15 votes

Genres: Mysteries & Thrillers, Modern Detective

Publisher's Summary:

Emmy's not new in the sleuthing game. She figured out who was behind the murders that almost ruined her family, she was able to help out a ghost who needed to figure out who killed her, and she thought that the dark days were over...but now it feels like they're starting all over again. After a dinner party at the Byrnes' house because of a new business deal that Emmy's dad ventured in, Emmy and Daniel, alongside the rest of the guests, were surprised to find Wendy, their cat, jumping on a man named Caleb Roberts - Troy Byrne's new business partner. Is Wendy just being catty? Or is there anything else - something graver, crazier - that Emmy should know, especially because that same night, Caleb's wife, Rose, was found dead? Seems like there's a killer on the loose - and it's up to Emmy and Wendy to figure out the truth.