Discover New Releases Audiobooks in Mysteries & Thrillers, Historical

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Title: Mercurys Rise

Subtitle: The Silver Rush Mysteries, Book 4

Author: Ann Parker

Narrator: Kirsten Potter

Format: Unabridged

Length: 13 hrs and 11 mins

Language: English

Release date: 11-01-11

Publisher: Blackstone Audio, Inc.

Ratings: 4 of 5 out of 10 votes

Genres: Mysteries & Thrillers, Historical

Publisher's Summary:

In the summer of 1880, many people are traveling to the booming health resort of Manitou Springs, Colorado, at the foot of Pikes Peak, to chase the cure for tuberculosis. But Inez Stannert, partowner of the Silver Queen Saloon in Leadville, travels for a different reason to this town renowned for its mineral springs and scenery. After a long separation, shes reuniting with her young son, William, and her beloved sister, Harmony. However, the stagecoach journey to Manitou turns deadly when East Coast businessman Edward Pace mysteriously dies under the horrified gaze of Inez and Paces wife and children.

After they arrive at the posh Mountain Springs House hotel, Paces widow begs Inez to make inquiries into her husbands untimely death. As Inez digs deeper, she uncovers shady business dealings by people hoping to profit from the coming bonanza in medicinal waters and miracle remedies and who kindle false hopes in the desperate and the dyinga deception that predates the Civil War. But there is no miracle cure for murder.

Paces sudden demise is not the only event that tarnishes Inezs hopes of a happy reunion with her son and sister. Inezs husband, Mark Stannert, has reappeared after a year-and-a-half absence, after Inez has made other plans for her future. Now Inez fears whether she will be able to hold on to her child and the life she has built for herself.

Critic Reviews:

A dazzling amount of historical detail is woven in yet never overpowers this story of deceit and greedParkers depth of knowledge coupled with an all-too-human cast leaves us eager to see what Inez will do next. Encore! (Library Journal)

Members Reviews:

Quite an addiction!

This is my second review on the Silver Rush Mysteries and have to say that it was difficult to put down the book even as I reached the 4th installment!

I first came across this series through a free offering of the first book "Silver Lies". Since then I have been hooked to the great narrative of the late 19th century America West as well as the protagonist life and could not help but continue with book after book.

The 4th book to the series continues with Inez's life in 1880 but away from Leadville this time. At the same time it also explores deeper into Inez's personal life what with her long-lost husband showing up at her doorstep as well as seeing her son for the first time in a year.

I thoroughly enjoyed the mystery. Ms. Ann Parker continues to color the stories with great historical facts. While reading the book, I find myself looking up places and people mentioned in the books to find out more about them. I can't say too much without giving away the story but it's a good mystery that it keeps you on the edge.

I also enjoyed reading about Inez's life and how she is dealing with the complications that seem to be added to her life with every step she takes. I am even more interested in the woman's role in the late 19th century and the difficulties one needs to endure to be an outspoken woman.

I do have to agree with some that there are some details that could have been left out as they do not really add much to the progression of the story. Some of the none main character development or conversations is a bit redundant at times. I find myself skipping a few of those and not really missing anything in order to continue with the story.

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Title: Murder at Gettysburg

Author: James Walker

Narrator: Ed Sala

Format: Unabridged

Length: 12 hrs and 11 mins

Language: English

Release date: 10-28-11

Publisher: Recorded Books

Ratings: 4 of 5 out of 10 votes

Genres: Mysteries & Thrillers, Historical

Publisher's Summary:

Popular author Jim Walker packs his Mysteries in Time series with romance, adventure, and the encompassing power of Gods love. In Murder at Gettysburg, a Mennonite schoolteacher seeks justice for one mans death, while the chaos and brutality of the Civil War swirl around her.

Twenty-six-year-old April Wolff doesnt fit in with her Pennsylvania neighbors: she would rather teach women and slaves than get married. So when her pacifist father is found murdered in cold blood, and a Confederate general is seen leaving the scene, she vows to find the killer herself. As Aprils search leads her through enemy camps, she survives attempts on her own life--and discovers help and love where she least expects them.

Multi-talented Jim Walker writes books in a variety of genres, holds a Master of Divinity degree, and speaks at conferences around the world. Ed Salas dramatic narration underscores all the excitement and danger of a womans search for the truth.

Members Reviews:

OVERALL GRADE: C plus to B minus.

This was an audio book narrated by Ed Sala who did a great job with the different male and female voices.

It's more about the relationships between the people than the actual Battle of Gettysburg or really the mystery murder.

a waste of time

Murder at Gettysburg works on none of the levels it attempts. As a murder mystery it is

dull and predictable-anyone could guess the murderer and murder weapon the instant the crime is discovered. The love story is completely unbelievable-a supposedly smart woman falls madly in love with a jerk in a day; and thinks someone her sister after having known her for an hour. But it is typical of all of the personal relationships in the book which are contrived and weak. None of the characters do anything believable, but only because the writer commanded them to. And the book fails as a historical novel. Walker's research seems to have consisted solely of reading "The Killer Angels"-from which he plagiarizes freely. He calls the Confederate battle flag the "Stars and Bars" has people from Gettysburg refer to their town as being in Western Pennsylvania. Walker may not have looked at a map, but if his characters acted like real people they would certainly know where they live. The forced inner dialogue and conversations written like a 5th grade lesson on the Civil War are repeated ad nauseam. The biggest surprise in this book is how it got published in the first place.

Beware Mystery Lovers

Don't let the title mislead you, this book is a poor excuse for a mystery. I was surprised to find that I had actually guessed the murderer and motive before I was even a third of the way into the book. Perhaps for someone who isn't a hardcore mystery fan it would take a little longer to figure it out, but still there's no genius to the murder mystery part. The plot was fast-paced, perhaps a bit too fast paced for my taste, but by being fast-paced it always has a interesting change of scenery. The romance in it was okay, at times it dragged unlike the story. Jim Walker certainly makes use of his knowledge of civil war history. (as far as that's concerned I'm impressed with the book) Anyone who enjoys reading Gilbert Morris's work will enjoy this book.

One Star

Sub-par...weakest book in the series

Murder at Gettysburg

While I do agree with the others reviewers that this isn't a very complicated mystery novel, I still really enjoyed it.

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Title: Emperor: The Gates of Rome

Author: Conn Iggulden

Narrator: Alex Jennings

Format: Abridged

Length: 5 hrs and 48 mins

Language: English

Release date: 09-08-11

Publisher: HarperCollins Publishers Limited

Ratings: 3.5 of 5 out of 3 votes

Genres: Mysteries & Thrillers, Historical

Publisher's Summary:

The ultimate Rome story.

From the spectacle of gladiatorial combat to the intrigue of the Senate, from the foreign wars that created an empire to the betrayals that almost tore it apart, the Emperor novels tell the remarkable story of the man who would become the greatest Roman of them all: Julius Caesar.

Brilliantly interweaving history and adventure, The Gates of Rome introduces an ambitious young man facing his first great test. In the city of Rome, a titanic power struggle is about to shake the Republic to its core. Citizen will fight citizen in a bloody conflict and Julius Caesar will be in the thick of the action.

Members Reviews:

Bad copy

My favourite book series and the reader has left out loads of pages from the story

Very disappointed

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Title: The Long Glasgow Kiss

Subtitle: A Lennox Thriller, Book 2

Author: Craig Russell

Narrator: Sean Barrett

Format: Unabridged

Length: 10 hrs and 32 mins

Language: English

Release date: 05-20-11

Publisher: Quercus Publishing

Ratings: 4.5 of 5 out of 6 votes

Genres: Mysteries & Thrillers, Historical

Publisher's Summary:

Glasgow in the 1950s. Private investigator Lennox is keeping a low profile, enjoying a secret fling with the daughter of shady bookie and greyhound breeder MacFarlane. When MacFarlane is found bludgeoned to death, Lennox is a suspect. Luckily, he has a solid gold alibi: he was in bed with the victims daughter.

Lennox is quickly drawn into hunting the killer. It turns out MacFarlane was into some seriously dodgy stuff. One of Glasgows notorious Three Kings, crime boss Willie Sneddon, is involved, and hes not a man Lennox wants to cross. But theres an even bigger player lurking in the shadows, and it looks like Lennox is going to get his fingers burnt - badly.

Members Reviews:

Authentic period thriller

Even better than " Lennox" with a very good plot and authentic atmosphere for Glasgow in the fifties. I grew up there in the late fifties and it feels just about right. Looking forward to the promised third book in the series.

I don't use the word Brilliant very often but ....

BI don't use the word Brilliant very often but it really was, .........story and narration.

What more can I say .....

Another Craig russel classic

Again craig russell manages to bring the darker side of glasgow to life

Excellant naration by Sean Barret as usual

excellent

A fantastic story once again from this author. kept the interest throughout with many twists and turns. The narrator does a brilliant job with capturing the accents some very challenging like Scots- Polish. The story has some good funny moments fir what is generally a serious subject. well done all concerned.

Outstanding!

Would you consider the audio edition of The Long Glasgow Kiss to be better than the print version?

I have not read the printed version. How ever Lennox book 1 got me hitched to Craig Russell and the this story confirmed my decision as correct. The boy has something here with a wicked story line twisting and turning to a perfect ending all capped by superb narrative by Sean Barrett that has me chomping at the bit to download the next book.

What was one of the most memorable moments of The Long Glasgow Kiss?

All of it

What about Sean Barretts performance did you like?

Sean has the perfect characturisation for the many faces of Glasgow with the right touch of humour stitched into the fabric. Thank you.

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

My father in law was a wishaw man who has sadly passed away. This brought back many memorys of him and although not Glaswegian he was close to the city. Seans charactures brought back many happy times i spent with him. x

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Title: A Burglar's Fate

Subtitle: The Pinkerton Files, Volume 3

Author: David Luchuk

Narrator: Michael Hogan

Format: Unabridged

Length: 1 hr and 38 mins

Language: English

Release date: 11-08-10

Publisher: HarperCollins Publishers Ltd

Ratings: 3.5 of 5 out of 8 votes

Genres: Mysteries & Thrillers, Historical

Publisher's Summary:

The Pinkerton Files is based on the new audio series starring Battlestar Galactica's Michael Hogan. It sets the real cases of Americas first private detective in a world of radical inventions driving a bitterly divided nation toward civil war.

Agency founder Allan Pinkerton senses a conspiracy mounting against him, his sons and his operatives. Every step they take toward solving three seemingly disconnected cases draws them further into a conflict that will be their downfall. If Allan allows them to become embroiled in the war, they will never find their way out.

A Burglars Fate opens with a bank robbery in a frontier town, a tiny case Allan would normally not take on except that his Agency is falling to pieces. One of his agents has to be rescued from a botched undercover assignment while another disappears into the political intrigue of the capital. His son risks being arrested again to follow clues only he can understand. As the case unravels, Allan faces pressure from the White House to do the one thing he has resisted all along: join the war effort.

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Title: The Calling

Author: Jane Goodall

Narrator: Nicki Paull

Format: Unabridged

Length: 11 hrs and 32 mins

Language: English

Release date: 10-27-10

Publisher: Bolinda Publishing Pty Ltd

Ratings: 4 of 5 out of 15 votes

Genres: Mysteries & Thrillers, Historical

Publisher's Summary:

Following the phenomenal success of The Walker and The Visitor (both available from Bolinda Audio) comes the third Briony Williams thriller, The Calling.

Goodall's popular leading lady, Briony Williams, is now a detective with the Chelsea CID. She has grown in confidence and rank from when she first appeared in The Walker as a rookie cop.

In the fierce English summer of 1976 the Punk movement is on the rise and chaos is the catchcry down in its heartland at the World's End of London. But things take a darker turn as a new group calling themselves Sudden Deff show signs of wanting to live up to their name. When Briony learns that she and two close colleagues have appeared on 'Deff Row' in the group's fanzine, she is drawn into a fatal game with a set of adversaries who always seem to be two moves ahead.

Editorial Reviews:

Jane Goodalls third Briony Williams page-turner, The Calling, set during the height of Londons punk movement in 1976, finds Briony, newly promoted to detective with the Chelsea CID, and her colleagues pitted against sinister anarcho-rockers Sudden Deff, whose volatile and nihilistic antics seem to translate as well off stage as on.

Nicki Paull displays dizzying range with her elastic performance, capturing punk rock sneers and exaggerated Manchester lilts with equal aplomb in this gripping listen.

Critic Reviews:

A wonderful selection of mostly British characters awaits you in this story of London in the 1970s. A punk band that attracts large crowds with its fiery displays publishes a fanzine with pictures of police officers marked for death. When her beloved commander is attacked, Inspector Briony Williams (also targeted) investigates. Nicki Paull does all the voices--the Scottish commander, band members, two female hangers-on, an American journalist with individuality and assuredness. As Briony herself feisty in her job but vulnerable romantically Paull is not afraid to emote. She keeps three intertwining plots going until they culminate in a tension-filled conclusion. A stand-out Australian production. (AudioFile magazine)

Members Reviews:

This may be a good book

The story seemed interesting. The characters may or may not have been well defined. Both were obscured by very poor narration. Voice characterization was often inconsistent and contextually inappropriate. Listening to screeching is not pleasant. Here it might have been necessary to one or more characters/situations. However, it should be used sparingly whatever the purpose. There was far too much of it in this narration.

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Title: The Winter Thief

Subtitle: The Kamil Pasha Novels, Book 3

Author: Jenny White

Narrator: Wanda McCaddon

Format: Unabridged

Length: 11 hrs and 17 mins

Language: English

Release date: 10-06-10

Publisher: Blackstone Audio, Inc.

Ratings: 4 of 5 out of 24 votes

Genres: Mysteries & Thrillers, Historical

Publisher's Summary:

January 1888. Vera Arti carries The Communist Manifesto in Armenian through Istanbuls streets, unaware of the men following her. When the police discover a shipload of guns and the Imperial Ottoman Bank is blown up, suspicion falls on a socialist commune Artis friends organized in the eastern mountains. Special Prosecutor Kamil Pasha is called in to investigate. He soon encounters his most ruthless adversary to date: Vahid, head of a special branch of the secret police, who has convinced the sultan that the commune is leading a secessionist movement and should be destroyed - along with surrounding villages. Kamil must stop the massacre, but he finds himself on the wrong side of the law, framed for murder and accused of treason, his family and the woman he loves threatened.

Exploring the dark obsessions of the most powerful and dangerous men of the dying Ottoman Empire, The Winter Thief also reflects the mad idealism of those turbulent times.

Jenny White is the author of The Sultans Seal, a finalist for the Ellis Peters Historical Crime Award, The Abyssinian Proof, and The Winter Thief. She is a professor of anthropology at Boston University, specializing in Turkey.

Critic Reviews:

White's gripping third thriller to feature Turkish detective Kamil Pasha will appeal to fans of Laura Joh Rowland's Japanese historical seriesThe atmospherics and period detail are first-rate. (Publishers Weekly)

The nineteenth-century Ottoman Empire, in the throes of political upheaval, again provides the vividly realized background for this third mystery featuring Special Prosecutor Kamil Pasha. White demonstrates her in-depth knowledge of Turkish history in a deftly plotted and clever tale of intrigue, duplicity, and violenceWhites best book to date. (Booklist)

Members Reviews:

Not a Mystery

Interesting look at history - our hero is a bit boring and the story just went on and on - I stuck to it only because I paid for it - no real passion or excitement.

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Title: Death to the French

Author: C. S. Forester

Narrator: Christian Rodska

Format: Unabridged

Length: 5 hrs and 58 mins

Language: English

Release date: 10-01-10

Publisher: Audible Studios

Ratings: 4.5 of 5 out of 3 votes

Genres: Mysteries & Thrillers, Historical

Publisher's Summary:

This is the story of a rifleman's resourcefulness in a single-handed war against the forces of Napoleon. Separated from his regiment, he uses a band of undisciplined Portuguese guerrillas to battle his way back to his own lines.

Members Reviews:

Great story

Would you listen to Death to the French again? Why?

This is a great thrilling adventure story told carefully from the author of the Hornblower series. Forester tells great stories and it is hard to miss with any of his books-and he has written more than just Hornblower! Rodska is a good narrator and overall the book was most enjoyable. The story centers around rifleman Dodd and his adventures behind enemy lines.

What was one of the most memorable moments of Death to the French?

When Dodd finds peace in the Portuguese hill village

Which character as performed by Christian Rodska was your favorite?

Rifleman Dodd of course! His persistance and loyalty are admirable

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

If one had time for this...yes

Any additional comments?

A great read and wish there were more CS Forester available on Audible(other than Hornblower

Guerrilla warfare at its worst

Would you consider the audio edition of Death to the French to be better than the print version?

About the same

What was one of the most memorable moments of Death to the French?

The chilling end

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

Wonderfulreading voice

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

It made me sad but it was greAT

Any additional comments?

any chance of doing 'the gun' by c s forester

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Title: The Last Kashmiri Rose

Author: Barbara Cleverly

Narrator: Terry Wale

Format: Unabridged

Length: 9 hrs and 29 mins

Language: English

Release date: 05-12-10

Publisher: ISIS Audio Books

Ratings: 4 of 5 out of 9 votes

Genres: Mysteries & Thrillers, Historical

Publisher's Summary:

India, 1922. In Panikhat, 50 miles from Calcutta, the wives of officers in the Bengal Greys have been dying violently, one every year and always in March. All the deaths are bizarre and seem accidental. The only link between them is the small red roses that mysteriously appear on the womens graves on the anniversaries of their deaths.

The first victim perished in a fire, the second was bitten by a cobra, another was thrown off her horse into a ravine, while the fourth drowned. When the fifth, the pretty young wife of Captain Somersham, is found with her wrists cut, the Governor of Bengal refuses to accept a suicide verdict and calls for help from the reluctant Joe Sandilands, currently on secondment to the Bengal police.

Members Reviews:

Excellent evocation of murder in British Raj!

What made the experience of listening to The Last Kashmiri Rose the most enjoyable?

The detail in the book was excellent - the descriptions and evocation of both time and place brought the novel to life. I didn't see it had been written by Cleverly, and it felt as though it had been written by a man, such was the description and exchanges between the male characters. There were only three females in the book and two of them were rather weak, the third, Kitty, was excellent (maybe because she was a tough old boot and a matriarchal type who had been running the women in the military station in india for so long she would have no nonsense, and spoke her mind).

Who was your favorite character and why?

I did not have a person as a favourite character. I think "India" was my favourite character, if a place can be a character. You saw all sides of it, the smells, heat and the influence the British had on the native population.

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

He had such a clear voice, and it made the parts explaining the Indian honour code (very important to the plot) much easier to understand.

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

Yes it was. I kept wanting to know what happened next. There were some twists thrown in which made me want to know more!

Any additional comments?

The only weak point was the sort of romance between two of the main characters, It was not very well drawn, and the descriptions made me squirm a bit (another reason I thought it had been written by a chap!) BUT...it was only a very small part of the book and the episodes flashed by, so did not really detract from the novel overall.

really good

I really enjoyed this book, loved the period and setting, more of an updated Agatha Christie so if your looking for gore move on,but if your looking for s good murder mystery for a wet Sunday afternoon can't go wrong with this.

A good example

Would you listen to The Last Kashmiri Rose again? Why?

A well presented mystery in a slightly different time - the height of the British Raj. Good sense of time and place.

Believable plot

Excellent new (for me) historical murder mystery. The plot was unusual and yet believable, and what's more, the careful slueth reader has a fair shot at working it out (although it isn't easy).

Excellent story to keep you enthralled

This is the first book in a series and the first I have read. The writer vividly captures the sights, sounds and ways of India and the plot keeps you guessing to the end. Thoroughly enjoyable and I will certainly be listening to more in the series.

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Title: Heresy

Author: S. J. Parris

Narrator: John Lee

Format: Abridged

Length: 5 hrs and 12 mins

Language: English

Release date: 02-23-10

Publisher: Random House Audio

Ratings: 1 of 5 out of 1 votes

Genres: Mysteries & Thrillers, Historical

Publisher's Summary:

Masterfully blending true events with fiction, this blockbuster historical thriller delivers a page-turning murder mystery set on the 16th-century Oxford University campus.

Giordano Bruno was a monk, poet, scientist, and magician on the run from the Roman Inquisition on charges of heresy for his belief that the Earth orbits the sun and that the universe is infinite. This alone could have got him burned at the stake, but he was also a student of occult philosophies and magic.

In S. J. Parris's gripping novel, Bruno's pursuit of this rare knowledge brings him to London, where he is unexpectedly recruited by Queen Elizabeth I and is sent undercover to Oxford University on the pretext of a royal visitation. Officially Bruno is to take part in a debate on the Copernican theory of the universe; unofficially, he is to find out whatever he can about a Catholic plot to overthrow the queen.

His mission is dramatically thrown off course by a series of grisly murders and a spirited and beautiful young woman. As Bruno begins to discover a pattern in these killings, he realizes that no one at Oxford is who he seems to be. Bruno must attempt to outwit a killer who appears obsessed with the boundary between truth and heresy.

Like The Dante Club and The Alienist, this clever, sophisticated, exceptionally enjoyable novel is written with the unstoppable narrative propulsion and stylistic flair of the very best historical thrillers.

Members Reviews:

Elizabethan historical mystery

If it was offered as a "blockbuster," I agree it won't be for that genre requires a relatively low level of intellect. This one is based on the sad issue of religious bitterness, still present in Ireland centuries later. With only modest personal knowledge of the period I find the ambiance and description of Oxford to be quite realistic. The plot moves rapidly (quite unfair to call it plodding) and passes through a number of twists and turns until the "villain" is ultimately, and quite unexpectedly though believably, revealed.

The author is a professional writer which is obvious in the flow of the narrative, but while introducing items of history has not let the desire to tell history interfere with the essential requirement of relating a story -- the hardest thing for the historical novelist to accomplish.

I look forward to reading more of her work.

A good read

A good read. I read another book by this author, and enjoyed it as well. Will definitely be on the lookout for the follow up books with this character.

Great historical thriller

Very well written historical thriller, full of mystery and intrigue. Was glad to discover that this is part of a series. Will definitely read the others!

A fine series; fun reads

I love all of Ms. Parris's books.

An engaging historical mystery.

Just finished this book and I was very happy to have read it, recommended it to friends and even did a notice on facebook. The author obviously researched the era that she wrote in and the details and overview of the time period was engaging, as was the plot. It doesn't hurt that the author is really cute too! If you want some escapist literature that will teach you something about British history, you could do no better than this.