Discover the New Releases Audiobooks in Mysteries & Thrillers, Historical

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Title: Sherlock Holmes and the Lyme Regis Trials

Author: David Ruffle

Narrator: Andy Barker

Format: Unabridged

Length: 3 hrs and 33 mins

Language: English

Release date: 07-03-17

Publisher: MX Publishing

Genres: Mysteries & Thrillers, Historical

Publisher's Summary:

The year is 1903. Lyme Regis. The Royal Navy comes to town. As do Sherlock Holmes and Doctor Watson. And Mrs Watson. And Lydia. And a ghost. And a dog. And a man with murder on his mind. This, the last of the trilogy of Sherlock Holmes in Lyme Regis pastiches, is bright, breezy, and fun.

Members Reviews:

The final book in this trilogyâ

My thanks to Steve and Timi at MX Publishing for my reading copy.

Surprise, surprise, Watson got married again. I think that along with the three wives that William S. Baring-Gould mentions in his study of the canon, this makes at least four more that I have encountered. This is far from a new idea.

Watson and Beatrice invite Holmes to spent a short time in Lyme Regis. There are some Naval Trials that will take place offshore, and it looks more like war is on the horizon every day. Then a knife wielding maniac is on the loose. There is also the case of the ghost of a resident of the town with which to deal.

The book neither bored me nor was over exciting. It seems a bit weak to be the final anchor of a series. The short story has its merits, but is also a little weak.

I give this book three starsâ

Quoth the Ravenâ

An excellent end to the series.

The last book in the Lyme Regis trilogy has the properly period atmosphere, intricate plotting and authentic dialogue of the previous two books.

Watson invites Holmes to join him and his wife for a holiday in Lyme Regis. Holmes agrees, but suggests that Watson pack his service revolver - and the game is afoot.

Plans for a super post-Bruce-Partington submarine may be in danger of being purloined by agents of a foreign Power, the ghost of a long-dead Lyme Regis celebrity haunts the town, strange tokens appear threatening revenge and a knife-wielding fiend strikes!

As in the previous books, the town of Lyme Regis exerts a powerful influence on the writing; Mr Ruffle clearly enjoys describing its ancient streets and monuments and he does an excellent job of evoking its atmosphere.

If Mr Ruffle can restrain himself from inserting more fiends in human form into Lyme, I would be happy to visit the locations he so lovingly describes.

Sherlock Holmes and the Lyme Regis Trials is a fitting end to an excellent series. I'm looking forward to reading more of his Sherlockian books.

A Ghost? Give Me A Rest

One of the many joys of being a Sherlock Holmes fan is the available pastiches (I have 153 so far)tend to be of uniformly high quality. In my collection I have 2 belonging in the 'dud' category (my opinion of course)while only 'Barefoot In Baker Street' has been placed into a realm by itself in the dreadful category. I concur with another reviewer's observation that the Lyme Regis books make for good reads. The Lyme Regis Trials was a taut, well written story that held the reader's attention. However, for whatever reason the author decided to add a short story. Hopefully this won't become a habit in future books? A haunted desk? Come on, now! Mr Ruffle, your books are far too good for this. Possibly you decided to so some slumming. Please, I beg of you, don't make it a habit.

Five Stars

this one is great

Great Summer Read

There have been many series of Holmes pastiches. David Ruffle has completed, with Sherlock Holmes and the Lyme Regis Trials, a singularly interesting set. The story is a reunion of sorts in the place where many previous adventures have occurred.

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Title: Sword of State: The Tempering

Author: Richard Woodman

Narrator: Peter Noble

Format: Unabridged

Length: 7 hrs and 15 mins

Language: English

Release date: 06-01-17

Publisher: Soundings

Ratings: 5 of 5 out of 2 votes

Genres: Mysteries & Thrillers, Historical

Publisher's Summary:

The year is 1652. General George Monck has been through an awful lot since he sat as a prisoner in the Tower of London eight years before. He had led his men admirably through campaigns in Ireland and Scotland, but still storm clouds surround his future. He had been away from his beloved Anne for many months and had come to London to find whether Ratsford was alive, and still proving to be an obstacle to their proposed marriage, or dead. His life with Anne will have to wait, as Parliament and the Army Council require the general's artillery expertise as naval conflict with the Dutch becomes inevitable.

Members Reviews:

Another brilliant page-turner

Woodman is a master story teller, and he conveys the drama of this very complex historical period with ease. The Tempering is tantalisingly short, leaving the reader wanting more, quickly. Hurry, Richard!

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Title: Margaret Dashwood's Diary

Subtitle: Sense and Sensibility Mysteries, Book 1

Author: Anna Elliott

Narrator: Mary Sarah

Format: Unabridged

Length: 8 hrs and 17 mins

Language: English

Release date: 05-04-17

Publisher: Wilton Press

Ratings: 5 of 5 out of 5 votes

Genres: Mysteries & Thrillers, Historical

Publisher's Summary:

Narrated by Mara Sarah. Margaret Dashwood learned from her older sisters - sensible Elinor and romantic Marianne - that the path of true love is rarely easy or smooth. And yet Margaret grew up dreaming of one day finding love and romance of her own. Now, smarting from the pain of a broken engagement, Margaret has traveled to stay with her now-married sisters in order to heal. But life is still far from smooth: John Willoughby, Marianne's first love, has unexpectedly returned to once again complicate the Dashwood sisters' lives. Colonel Brandon, Marianne's husband, has been commissioned to apprehend a ruthless ring of smugglers operating in the neighborhood. And when a mysterious figure from Margaret's past returns, Margaret realizes that she herself may hold the key to uncovering the smuggling gang. Worse, she comes to suspect that she faces an impossible choice of her own: not between sense and sensibility, but between duty and her own heart.

Members Reviews:

If you love reading Jane Austen you will thoroughly enjoy this book

If you love reading Jane Austen you will thoroughly enjoy this book. Can't wait till this author writes more books like this!

Well written

I always find Anna Elliot's books to be well written, well edited and completely enjoyable. I'd love to see more S & S variations. I look forward to the next one in the series.

You have to read this if you liked Pride & Prejudice.

Pride and Predjudice fans here is competition for favorite love story for sure.

Jane Austen Lover

In the close of Sense and Sensibility Ms. Austen writes of Margaret meeting a man of fortune , a gentleman. The author also uses some of Ms. Austen work in her own. This book never grabbed me.

Enjoyable!

Great continuation of Sense and Sensibility. Such a huge Jane Austen fan - and still able to enjoy this continuation of a wonderful story.

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Title: Chopper Pilot

Subtitle: Wings Over Nam, Book 1

Author: Kevin D. Randle

Narrator: Scott "Scooter" Fortney

Format: Unabridged

Length: 5 hrs and 13 mins

Language: English

Release date: 04-07-17

Publisher: Speaking Volumes

Ratings: 4.5 of 5 out of 2 votes

Genres: Mysteries & Thrillers, Historical

Publisher's Summary:

From the thundering B-52 bombing raids on Hanoi to inserting search-and-destroys in the jungle, from wielding a death-spewing Spooky to taking out SAM missile sights in the North, the skies above Vietnam were a hell of deadly million-dollar machinery, split-second decisions, and death-lock engagements with the enemy. Now 19-year-old David Anderson is a raw pilot in an Assault Helicopter Company, slamming straight into the strength of the VC. But from his first mission to Charlie's first invasion it doesn't take Anderson long to discover that this is a whole new kind of war. With no support from behind and only death in front of him, Anderson knows that there's only one way to fight in Vietnam - and that's to do it your own way.

They were America's elite, battle-hardened flyers...men who came from every service and every corner of the war. They lived with the agony and irony that was Vietnam and flew with courage and commitment. This is their story.

Members Reviews:

Very cool book

I enjoyed this book very much, I am an air force Vietnam veteran and have great respect for the crews and grunts of all branches that were involved in this and all other wars. The author wrote an entertaining and pretty much shows the wishful thinking of a lot of veterans

Good story

They always seem like true stories if it's about war. The truth is that no one can tell. This moved fast & was easy to understand & above all interesting.

Five Stars

It was great !!!

Five Stars

Very good read

Five Stars

Loved it !!!!

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Title: A Mask of Shadows

Subtitle: Frey & McGray, Book 3

Author: Oscar de Muriel

Narrator: Andy Secombe

Format: Unabridged

Length: 13 hrs and 51 mins

Language: English

Release date: 04-06-17

Publisher: Penguin Books Ltd

Ratings: 4 of 5 out of 16 votes

Genres: Mysteries & Thrillers, Historical

Publisher's Summary:

It is 1889 and The Scottish Play is coming home. But before the darling couple of London theatre, Henry Irving and Ellen Terry, take their acclaimed Macbeth to the Edinburgh stage terror treads the boards. A grisly message is found smeared across the cobbles in blood, foretelling someone's demise. As the bloody prophecies continue to appear, Edinburgh's own beloved pair - Detective 'Nine-Nails' McGray and Inspector Ian Frey - enter the scene. Frey scoffs at this blatant publicity stunt, while McGray is convinced of supernatural affairs. As they scrutinise the key players, they discover that Terry, Irving, and his peculiar, preoccupied assistant (one Bram Stoker) all have reasons to kill, or be killed.... But one thing is clear. By occult curse or human hand, death will take a bow the night the curtain rises.

Critic Reviews:

"Fun to read and a fast page-turner...love and murder - they go together like strawberries and cream." (Independent)

"A hugely entertaining Victorian mystery." (The New York Times)

"This is wonderful. A brilliant, moving, clever, lyrical book - I loved it. Oscar de Muriel is going to be a name to watch." (Manda Scott)

"One of the best debuts so far this year - a brilliant mix of horror, history, and humour. Genuinely riveting with plenty of twists, this will keep you turning the pages. It's clever, occasionally frightening and superbly written...Everything you need in a mystery thriller." (Crime Review)

"This is a fast-paced, well-researched and thoroughly spellbinding read. The mismatched pair is as entertaining as Holmes and Watson at their best, and the supernatural element brings an entertaining twist." (The Historical Novel Society)

"I enjoyed this - properly creepy and Gothic." (Ian Rankin)

Members Reviews:

Added another author series to my "love this" list

Though this book was a bit long I was immediately intrigued with the author's note and prologue and captivated to the very last word of the story.... Listened straight thru! Skillfully written with historic bits and the narration was an amazing performance, making this a book I will definitely listen to again.

Please get US access to the second book!

The title to this review should be all the praise needed for the Frey & McGray series. Ye ken?

very enjoyable

I really like the relationship between the two main detective Frey and Mccray. The theatre world and the characters of Irving, Terry and Stoker were ripe for dramatisation. I did find the running about here and there a bit hard to follow at times. Also kept wondering why such a big case with very little actual crime happening until the end....but this was minor and I still really enjoyed the book. Would definitely listen to the next one...hope there is one!

Fascinating & annoying

I wasn't going to read another de Muriel, but the setting of this one lured me in. (I skipped the second novel in spite of being curious about Nine Nails' sister.) The theatre and the use of real celebrities of the time is an interesting device. Ellen Terry is a welcome relief after all the one dimension female characters: virgins, vixens or servants.

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Title: The Third Nero

Subtitle: Flavia Albia, Book 5 (Falco: The New Generation)

Author: Lindsey Davis

Narrator: Lucy Brown

Format: Unabridged

Length: 12 hrs and 15 mins

Language: English

Release date: 04-06-17

Publisher: Hodder & Stoughton

Ratings: 3.5 of 5 out of 2 votes

Genres: Mysteries & Thrillers, Historical

Publisher's Summary:

From the creator of Falco comes Falco: The New Generation, featuring her unforgettable heroine Flavia Albia.

Flavia Albia's day-old marriage is in trouble - her new husband may be permanently disabled, and they have no funds. So when Palace officials ask her to help expose a plotter in their midst, she is obliged to accept their commission.

The plot could not be bigger. Ever since he died in AD 68, apparently by his own hand, Rome has been haunted by reports that Emperor Nero is in fact very much alive and about to return to claim his throne.

Two Nero pretenders have emerged in the east and met grisly fates. But now, as Emperor Domitian, whose tyrannical, paranoid reign grows ever more unpopular, fights a war in faraway Dacia, there emerges a far more sinister contender. What's more the rumour is that this false Nero is already in Rome. Plunged into the conspiracy, Flavia must infiltrate the house of the Parthians who have smuggled in this new impostor, negotiate with spies, dodge the assassins sent by the Palace traitor, and somehow cope with her stricken husband.

Can she succeed before the impostor is revealed? Or will Rome once more be plunged into civil war?

Members Reviews:

Female "Falco"

Unfortunately a very good writer/historian has re-written her excellent "Falco" series with Falco's adopted daughter as the protangonist. The unfortunate part is that this is quite nearly literally a female Falco; following the same patterns the Falco series had including an unusual marital relationship, the same smart-aleck comments and swash-buckling action scenes. I'm no historian, but I don't see an ancient Rome that would accommodate Albia's very masculine intrusive personality. And, it's the same rollicking good time...if it wasn't the second time around.

I have given the series a try and I'll let the rest of the books, should there be any, a pass.

I will continue to read Ms. Davis' other novels as she is an excellent writer and I love historical stories.

Try "Master and God" or "A Course of Honour" if you want more of her writing without the boring attempt at a female repeat of the very enjoyable Falco series.

I miss the falcon humour

Although well read the Flavia series does not have charm of the Falco series. An easy listen though.

Great listen

Excellent, slow at first but finished at a pace. Loved the way it progressed from something minor and ended with a major result.

Mystery, history and fiction

Albia is not the sulky teenager of old ( she did have some justification), but an intelligent resourceful and independent woman- just as well after the sad death of her first husband, the clumsy, loveable Lentulus, and the lightning strike which hit her new bridegroom on their wedding day! She finds herself working, indirectly,for the appalling Emperor Domitian (he's out of town, to everyone's delight) unravelling a complex conspiracy to present an imposter as Nero risen from the dead.

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Title: The Sherlock Holmes Scripts: The Complete Holmes and Watson Series

Subtitle: The Holmes and Watson Series, Book 5

Author: Ian Shimwell

Narrator: Kevin Theis

Format: Unabridged

Length: 3 hrs and 35 mins

Language: English

Release date: 03-21-17

Publisher: Shimwell's Scripts

Ratings: 3 of 5 out of 5 votes

Genres: Mysteries & Thrillers, Historical

Publisher's Summary:

Solve the Egyptian equation, witness the Montague murders, fear the Legend of Loch Logarth, and close Holmes' final chapter....

All four original Sherlock Holmes scripts of The Holmes and Watson Series, written and performed in the style of the classic Basil Rathbone and Nigel Bruce films. Audiobook is further enhanced with atmospheric music and sound effects.

The Sherlock Holmes Scripts also features a bonus additional scene, "Mrs. Hudson Speaks", and an introduction by Holmes' trusted scriber himself, Doctor Watson.

Members Reviews:

Corny

If it weren't for Mr. Theis' voice characterizations, this would have been a total waste of time. Four stories, done in script format, that are poorly written and demean the legend of Sherlock Holmes. Sound effects and music that are, both cheesy and laughable.

Music is distracting

The story isn't good enough to overcome the musical distractions. The play format doesn't work well as written. Couldn't finish listening.

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Title: The Murder of Willie Lincoln

Subtitle: A Novel

Author: Burt Solomon

Narrator: Holter Graham

Format: Unabridged

Length: 11 hrs and 20 mins

Language: English

Release date: 02-21-17

Publisher: Macmillan Audio

Ratings: 4 of 5 out of 12 votes

Genres: Mysteries & Thrillers, Historical

Publisher's Summary:

Washington City, 1862: The United States lies in tatters, and there seems no end to the war. Abraham Lincoln, the legitimate president of the United States, is using all his will to keep his beloved land together. But Lincoln's will and soul are tested when tragedy strikes the White House: Willie Lincoln, the love and shining light in the president's heart, is taken by typhoid fever.

But was this really the cause of his death? A message arrives suggesting otherwise. Lincoln asks John Hay, his trusted aide - and almost a son - to investigate Willie's death. Some see Hay as a gadfly - adventurous, incisive, lusty, reflective, skeptical, even cynical - but he loves the president and so seeks the truth behind the boy's death. And so, as we follow Hay in his investigation, we are shown the loftiest and lowest corners of Washington City, from the president's office and the gentleman's dining room at Willard's Hotel to the alley hovels, wartime hospitals, and the dome-less Capitol's vermin-infested sub-basement. We see the unfamiliar sides of a grief-stricken president, his hellcat of a wife, and their two surviving and suffering sons, and Hay matches wits with such luminaries as General McClellan, William Seward, and the indomitable detective Allan Pinkerton.

What Hay discovers has the potential of destroying not only Lincoln but a nation.

The Murder of Willie Lincoln is an exciting historical fiction debut by award-winning political journalist and Washington insider Burt Solomon.

Members Reviews:

I love historical fiction.

To his novel - it fit the bill. Had trouble putting it down. Hope he does another one soon, real soon.

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Title: The Unseeing

Author: Anna Mazzola

Narrator: Liz Pearce

Format: Unabridged

Length: 11 hrs and 26 mins

Language: English

Release date: 02-07-17

Publisher: Recorded Books

Ratings: 4 of 5 out of 12 votes

Genres: Mysteries & Thrillers, Historical

Publisher's Summary:

It is 1837, and the city streets teem with life, atmosphere, and the stench of London. Sarah Gale, a seamstress and mother, has been sentenced to hang for her role in the murder of Hannah Brown on the eve of her wedding. Edmund Fleetwood, an idealistic lawyer, is appointed to investigate Sarah's petition for mercy and consider whether justice has been done. Struggling with his own demons, he is determined to seek out the truth, yet Sarah refuses to help him. Edmund knows she's hiding something but needs to discover just why she's maintaining her silence. For how can it be that someone with a child would go willingly to their own death?

The Unseeing is a vividly written novel of human frailty, fear, and manipulation and of the terrible consequences of jealousy and misunderstanding.

Members Reviews:

Mystery set in London - True historical mystery brought vividly to life!

Thereâs nothing like a good meaty true life thriller to get your teeth into. The case of the Edgeware Road murder intrigued me as I love to go back to real events, no matter how brutal, to see for myself what could have happened and how the people who never seem to have their voices hear can do via fiction.

Sarah Gale was an intriguing figure as I couldnât work out why she was hiding something. Of course it all makes sense by the end but the journey there was a very intriguing one. It really made it sound authentic having the real newspaper headlines of the day at the start of chapters as I could almost hear the sound of the little boy crying read al about it, drowned out by the hansom cabs trundling over the cobbled streets.

I really found this intriguing in so many ways â the use of flashbacks to built up a picture of Sarahâs life, the violence of the men and how this seemed to be accepted in life how women were controlled in each and every way on a manâs whim. I think it reveals a lot more about society at the time than you may first realise.

The Unseeing paints a dark and dingy picture and you may feel you need to have a wash afterwards such is the cleverness and evocative writing all through the novel. The Unseeing deserves to be seen by many many readers. We've mapped out the places in the novel on thebooktrail.com so you can visit the chilling scenes for real .

Well researched, but in need of some editing

A well researched story based on a real crime in 1837, London. The legal system and the treatment of prisoners was appalling, especially for women. I did find the book a bit over-long ( a familiar complaint of mine, especially with first-time authors), but it is a compelling story that will keep you wondering what happened.

Good book. Held my attention.

Good book. It was based on a true story. I would have liked a bit more ... I donât know ... maybe depth or drama ... something. But it did hold my attention. Perhaps because it was based in truth there was only so much the author could do with it.

Good Read

Enjoyed this book. Really liked the setting, time period and the fact it was a crime that actually happened. I thought the author was great and look forward to another book.

Murderess in London

I enjoyed the book very much. It was an entertaining story as there was good development of the characters and their stories. It also was interesting to read about London in the 1830's.

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Title: Ordeal by Fire

Subtitle: Bradecote and Catchpoll

Author: Sarah Hawkswood

Narrator: Matt Addis

Format: Unabridged

Length: 7 hrs and 46 mins

Language: English

Release date: 02-01-17

Publisher: Isis Publishing Ltd

Ratings: 4.5 of 5 out of 5 votes

Genres: Mysteries & Thrillers, Historical

Publisher's Summary:

September 1143. Bradecote is a minor landowner and newly appointed under-sheriff. His sergeant, Catchpoll, is a weather-beaten, wily and experienced thief-taker who always looks to be one step ahead of any villain. Bradecote though quite new to the job brings an effectively analytical eye to the investigation. A series of fires around the city seem linked, and Bradecote and Catchpoll have to piece together the vengeful motive that links them in order to uncover the arsonist.

Members Reviews:

Not the first book in the series

I enjoyed the characters who were engaging and realistic and the performance by Matt Addis was excellent. The story was interesting enough but slow to start.

It took me a while to realise that this clearly isn't the first Bradecote and Catchpoll story (it's the second in the series) and (because I'm maybe a bit weird about reading things in the correct order) that irritated me because there are several references to the first book throughout.

I definitely want to hear more of these two however so hope that Audible will be getting the first and third books.

Entertaining Historical Novel

Really enjoyable listen, good pace, captivating reader, appropriately descriptive and certainly kept my attention. Recommended.

Enjoyed this reading. Characters were made to live

I enjoyed the reading of this book Matt Addis made the characters live.

Look forward to hearing the next book.

Great little book

as a fan of Ellis Peters i approached both these books with a little trepidation but was not disappointed. Enjoyed as much as the first and am hping for more.

True Voice Acting & Engaging Story

Ordeal By Fire is a fantastically engaging story, a well paced adventure in Mediaeval Worcester and you will be racing along with the characters while they try to catch the arsonist before more people die. Worcester is a character in itself, the streets and people brought to life in everyday situations against the stark background of a crime which puts all at risk. It is the detectives, such as they are in twelfth century England, their relationships and characters which are the real star of the show here.

Sarah Hawkswood has a flair for the characterisation and Matt Addis captures them exactly as I imagined them in the book, his grizzled Catchpoll landing perfectly between hardened soldier and instrument of true justice.

If you enjoy Cadfael or any mediaeval murder mystery, or even a fantasy adventure then you will enjoy this. Highly recommended and I look forward to more from both Addis and Hawkswood.