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Title: Pale Blue

Subtitle: A Thriller

Author: Mike Jenne

Narrator: Kevin Stillwell

Format: Unabridged

Length: 22 hrs and 57 mins

Language: English

Release date: 08-30-16

Publisher: Audible Studios

Ratings: 4 of 5 out of 38 votes

Genres: Mysteries & Thrillers, Historical

Publisher's Summary:

As the Project enters its final phase, air force majors Carson and Ourecky are dispatched on an urgent mission to intercept and investigate a massive orbiting object suspected of harboring nuclear weapons. Emotionally exhausted, with his marriage teetering on the brink, Ourecky reluctantly accepts the assignment; in return for his sacrifice, he is promised an opportunity to go to MIT to pursue the PhD he has long desired.

As they draw close to the mysterious satellite and prepare to destroy it, they are confronted with a dark secret that they will carry forever and are forced to contemplate their own mortality and the dire prospect of dying in space.

On their return to Earth, they are offered an opportunity that's almost too good to pass up, which entails flying into orbit yet again, except under considerably different circumstances. Ourecky wrestles with his decision, knowing that choosing to fly will almost certainly result in the loss of his marriage, while Carson is finally granted an opportunity to fly in Vietnam. Although he is finally allowed to fulfill his dream of flying in combat, Carson soon discovers that there are some fates worse than death.

Pale Blue is the epic, high-flying conclusion to the Blue Gemini trilogy that will leave you breathless.

Members Reviews:

Great, believeable story, fantastic performance!

Would you listen to Pale Blue again? Why?

I loved this book! Master author Mike Jennes Pale Blue is the third novel in the fabulous Blue Gemini series of exciting historical fiction chronicalling the exploits of Air Force astronauts as they seek out potentially threatening Soviet satellites in orbit in the late sixties and early seventies. The author clearly conducted extensive technical and historical research and sought the insight of astronauts, aerospace engineers, launch personnel, and space flight directors to craft a highly believable and realistic novel. Adding to the drama and the realism, space flight support activities and personnel are cleaverly woven into the storyline. These supporting roles include search and rescue personnel, remote communications personnel, space flight command center staff, senior military officers, and a noteworthy politician. These elements of intrigue are woven together in a fashion reminiscent of that used by James Michener in the best selling novel The Bridges at Toko Ri. While there is certainly a lot of technology embedded in the story it is a human story at its core. The hopes and dreams of the astronauts are explored along with the stress and strain the intrigue adds to the astronauts personnel lives and the impact it has on their families and loved ones. Further adding to the plot, the author weaves in exciting intrigue and mystery in accurately portraying the Soviet cosmonauts, the communist bureaucracy, military leaders, and aerospace engineers engaged in the Soviets clandestine space program. Like an exciting James Bond novel, the Blue Gemini series logically takes the reader to numerous exotic locations around the world as the storyline unfolds. The authors personnel knowledge from traveling to and working in these exotic locales only adds to the realism. The author also accurately conveys the texture of the early seventies as the backdrop. I highly recommend Pale Blue to anyone interested in reading thrilling, realistic science fiction.

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Title: Mister Darcy's Maltese Falcon

Subtitle: A Mister Darcy Series Comedic Mystery

Author: Barbara Silkstone

Narrator: Jannie Meisberger

Format: Unabridged

Length: 3 hrs and 53 mins

Language: English

Release date: 08-29-16

Publisher: Barbara Silkstone

Ratings: 4.5 of 5 out of 18 votes

Genres: Mysteries & Thrillers, Historical

Publisher's Summary:

Darcy and Lizzie, now happily married, are off on another Templar quest. With their first baby due in two months, Darcy insists that Lizzie remain in London while he adventures to Malta. Pregnancy will not hamper Lizzie; she is determined to stand by her husband. Lizzie inserts herself in the caper, accompanied by Boris, the Russian wolfhound, and other surprise stowaways. Oh no! Caroline and Wickham return to add to the chaos.

In this, the eighth book in the Mister Darcy comedic mysteries series, the Maltese Falcon holds the key to finding the Bogart Diamond, a priceless gem that was stolen from the ancient order of the Knights Templar. Darcy is tasked with recovering it.

Members Reviews:

Lovely, lively mystery

I have enjoyed this whole series. The humour is wonderful, yet the essence of Darcy and Elizabeth is always present. The cast of chatacters fit the story so well, you can't help but enjoy yourself.

Great Series!

Any additional comments?

This is a great book; this is the eighth book in the Mister Darcy series written by Barbara Silkstone and narrated by Jannie Meisberger. Darcy and Lizzie, now happily married, are off on another Templar quest. With their first baby due in two months, Darcy insists that Lizzie remain in London while he adventures to Malta. Pregnancy will not hamper Lizzie; she is determined to stand by her husband. Lizzie inserts herself in the caper, accompanied by Boris, the Russian wolfhound, and other surprise stowaways.

The narrator Jannie Meisberger did a wonderful job with this book. She did a great job with the different voices of each character in this book. It was very easy to listen to in one sitting and I didnt want to stop listening until the end.

If you are looking for a great book with well-developed characters then you need to listen to this book. I am looking forward to listening to the next book by this author and narrator.

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

a lively and irrepressible heroine--and dog

Where does Mister Darcy's Maltese Falcon rank among all the audiobooks youve listened to so far?

Top middle of the pack. It kept my interest, amused me, and gave me Awwww! dog moments. I also really like Templar stories and incorrigibly optimistic heroines.

What was one of the most memorable moments of Mister Darcy's Maltese Falcon?

Definitely the bunny slippers. This is my first Mister Darcy story, so I've never encountered the bunny slippers before. An admirable communication tool.

What about Jannie Meisbergers performance did you like?

It was a little too stop-and-go; could have been smoother, but very good overall.

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

Giggles. Lots of giggles.

Any additional comments?

I received a free copy in exchange for an honest review.

A real laughfest!

Get ready to laugh yourself silly! Can't think of better reading to contradict a bad day than a Barbara Silkstone book, and this one truly meets ALL expectations! No spoilers here, see publisher's blurb for plot clues. The only clues given here are that this one is as coffee snorting good as the rest of this series, or any other Silkstone imagination trip for that matter.

Jannie Meisberger seems to hone her performance with each new book.

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Title: These Honored Dead

Subtitle: A Lincoln and Speed Mystery, Book 1

Author: Jonathan F. Putnam

Narrator: Lloyd James

Format: Unabridged

Length: 8 hrs and 53 mins

Language: English

Release date: 08-09-16

Publisher: Blackstone Audio, Inc.

Ratings: 4 of 5 out of 10 votes

Genres: Mysteries & Thrillers, Historical

Publisher's Summary:

Joshua Speed, the enterprising second son of a wealthy plantation owner, has struck off on his own. But before long he makes a surprising and crucial new acquaintance - a freshly minted lawyer by the name of Abraham Lincoln.

When an orphaned girl from a neighboring town is found murdered and suspicion falls on her aunt, Speed makes it his mission to clear her good name. Of course he'll need the legal expertise of his unusual new friend. Together Lincoln and Speed fight to bring justice to their small town. But as more bodies are discovered and the investigation starts to come apart at the seams, there's one question on everyone's lips: Does Lincoln have what it takes to crack his first murder case?

Inspired by actual events from the American frontier, Jonathan Putnam's thrilling debut, These Honored Dead, brings a verve and vigor to the historical mystery genre that listeners haven't seen since Caleb Carr's The Alienist.

Members Reviews:

Well Conceived All Around

An entertaining mystery that combines superb historical research and characterization. Add to that some legal chicanery from the young lawyer Lincoln and the reality of living in a time when slavery was legal and making a living was difficult. The plot, the characters and the circumstances all come together quite well in Mr. Putnam's book.

Murder in the Illinois Frontier

Historical, interesting facts, story kind of plods along. The Lincoln and Speed relationship is interesting and colonial Illinois is well described, at least the Springfield area. Time period in the country's development is in itself a story limitation. This is not the story for a lot of Lincoln information.

Nice start to a series

Interesting premise. If you like history that is a definite plus. Not he very best historical mystery I have ever read, but certainly good enough that I purchased the next in the series when I finished this book.

An engaging historical fiction whodunit wrapped in a bromance

The young Abe Lincoln, as portrayed by Putnam, is a charming eccentric who works with amateur sleuth (and actual friend and roommate of Lincoln) Joshua Speed to solve a series of murders in 1837 Springfield Illinois. Although the story itself is fictional, many of its characters are historical. The combination of this attention to detail, the camaraderie of the main characters and a series of plot-twisting red herrings yields an entertaining read. I look forward to the sequel.

Five Stars

enjoyed the book. good character development. good mystery

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Title: South of Shiloh

Author: Chuck Logan

Narrator: Scott Sowers

Format: Unabridged

Length: 15 hrs and 47 mins

Language: English

Release date: 07-19-16

Publisher: HarperAudio

Ratings: 4 of 5 out of 4 votes

Genres: Mysteries & Thrillers, Historical

Publisher's Summary:

A nameless sniper is targeting participants in popular Civil War battle reenactments, and Minnesota reenactor Paul Edin is killed at the mock Battle of Kirby Creek near Corinth, Mississippi. His death is ruled an accident, but Paul's widow, Jenny, discovers that the sniper's bullet was meant for the man standing next to Paul, a cop named Kenny Beeman.

To penetrate the Mississippi smokescreen, Jenny enlists the aid of her former lover, news photographer John Rane. Appearing to be covering a story, Rane pokes into the Tennessee-Mississippi border country and teams up with Beeman. With demons nipping at his heels, Rane picks a Sharps rifle and live ammunition and heads off to the Shiloh Battlefield - and a showdown with a killer.

South of Shiloh is a pulse-pounding thriller from a master of the genre - a story that uses a popular national pastime as the springboard for a riveting listen.

Members Reviews:

Somehow I managed to miss this one.

I very much enjoyed all of Logan's early books and then he disappeared. I understand he's been working with Sanford on the Virgil Flowers series. I read about the movie, "Homefront" based on his earlier work and discovered I'd missed this one. Since I hadn't read him for several years I came at it with fresh eyes. It is nicely plotted, interesting both from a story telling vantage as well as the information he sprinkles liberally throughout. The most apt comparison is Stephen Hunter before he veered down the political side road and forgot what made him great. Maybe the best thing about this one is that it shows his range where he's able to break away from the character in most of his previous work.

Chuck Logan is as good with a breath-holding adventure in the South as he ...

Chuck Logan is as good with a breath-holding adventure in the South as he is around his usual locale, Duluth, Minnesota.

Outstanding!

I loved this book. The historical aspect of the Civil War interwoven in a crime drama was simply marvelous. The characters were fleshed out in realistic personalities with good and bad traits that drew me to easily empathize with them.

The author cleverly revealed the differences of culture between the North and the South that exists still today.

I don't tend to re read books, but I know I will revisit this one again in the future.

Five Stars

Great read Chuck Logan books are better with each new novel

Highly recommend to give this or any of his other work ...

Chuck Logan is right up there with Michael Connelly, James Lee Burke and any other writer of this genre. Highly recommend to give this or any of his other work a try. You will not be disappointed.

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Title: Silk

Subtitle: The Bloodstone Series, Book 1

Author: Chris Karlsen

Narrator: David Bufton

Format: Unabridged

Length: 7 hrs and 49 mins

Language: English

Release date: 07-15-16

Publisher: Books to Go Now

Ratings: 4.5 of 5 out of 4 votes

Genres: Mysteries & Thrillers, Historical

Publisher's Summary:

It is the time of Jack the Ripper. The widowed Queen Victoria sits on the throne of England. The whole of London is on edge, wondering when or where Jack will kill next. The Palace, Parliament, and the press are demanding the police do more to find him.

In another part of London, rough-around-the-edges war hero Metropolitan Detective Inspector Rudyard Bloodstone has his own serial killer to find. Interdepartmental rivalries, politics, and little evidence to go on hamper the investigation at every turn. In a battle of wills, Bloodstone presses forward following his instincts in spite of the obstacles.

Adding to those problems, away from the strains of the investigation, he is engaged in the ups and downs of a new relationship with a lovely hat maker.

Members Reviews:

Historical Romance

This first book in the series is a wonderful historical suspense set in Victorian England. Detective Bloodstone is definitely worth listening to this book for. He is an unassuming hero you can't help but love. I wasn't sure how I would like the book at first as I found the subject matter at the beginning of the book a little disturbing. Nevertheless, I persevered and was glad I did. Chris Karlsen gives us strong and well developed characters. The story is interesting with a combination of suspense, comedy and even a wee bit of romance. The villain is certainly deserving of the label. He believes he is justified in what he does and he gives Detective Bloodstone a run for his money! I look forward to listening to more books in this series based on historical suspense with a touch of romance.

David Bufton did a nice job of narrating.

Boring

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

The narrator's voice could have had a lot more feeling.

Would you ever listen to anything by Chris Karlsen again?

No

Would you be willing to try another one of David Buftons performances?

No

Any additional comments?

I guessed this book was written by an American even before I'd checked. A "Mills & Boon" idea of "Olde England" and read by a man who seemed uninterested in the story, with a very monotonous voice and absolutely no feeling.

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Title: Wolf Hollow

Author: Lauren Wolk

Narrator: Emily Rankin

Format: Unabridged

Length: 6 hrs and 55 mins

Language: English

Release date: 06-30-16

Publisher: Random House AudioBooks

Ratings: 5 of 5 out of 1 votes

Genres: Mysteries & Thrillers, Historical

Publisher's Summary:

Annabelle has lived in Wolf Hollow all her life: a quiet place still scarred by two world wars. But when cruel, manipulative Betty arrives in town, Annabelle's calm world is shattered along with everything she's ever known about right and wrong.

When Betty accuses gentle loner Toby - a traumatised ex-soldier - of a terrible act, Annabelle knows he's innocent. Then Betty disappears....

Now Annabelle must protect Toby from the spiralling accusations and hysteria until she can prove to Wolf Hollow what really happened to Betty.

Powerful, poignant and lyrical, Wolf Hollow is an unforgettable story.

Members Reviews:

Both the flower and the frost

I am not what you might call a very brave reader. This is probably why I primarily consume childrenâs literature. I might puff myself up with a defense that lists the many fine aspects of this particular type of writing and believe it too, but sometimes when you catch me in a weak moment I might confess that another reason I like reading books for kids is that the content is so very âsafeâ in comparison to books for adults. Disturbing elements are kept at a minimum. Thereâs always a undercurrent of hope running through the book, promising that maybe we donât live in a cold, cruel, calculating universe that cares for us not one jot. Even so, that doesnât mean that I donât sometimes have difficulty with books written for, oh say, 10-year-olds. I do. Iâm not proud of it, but I do. So when I flipped to the back of âWolf Hollowâ mid-way through reading it, I want to tell you that I did so not because I wanted to spoil the ending for myself but because I honestly couldnât turn another page until I knew precisely how everything was going to fall out. In her debut childrenâs book, Lauren Wolk dives head first into difficult material. A compelling author, the book is making the assumption that child readers will want to see what happens to its characters, even when the foreshadowing is so thick youâd need a knife to cut through it. Even when the ending may not be the happy one everyone expects. And you know what? The book might be right.

It is fair to say that if Betty Glengarry hadnât moved to western Pennsylvania in the autumn of 1943 then Annabelle would not have needed to become a liar later. Betty looks the part of the blond, blue-eyed innocent, but that exterior hides a nasty spirit. Within days of her arrival sheâs threatened Annabelle and said in no uncertain terms that unless sheâs brought something special sheâll take it out on the girlâs little brothers. Annabelle is saved from Betty's threats by Toby, a war veteran with issues of his own. Thatâs when Betty begins a more concentrated campaign of pain. Rocks are thrown. Accusations made. Thereâs an incident that comes close to beheading someone. And then, when things look particularly bad, Annabelle disappears. And so does Toby. Now Annabelle finds herself trying to figure out what is right, what is wrong, and whether lies can ever lead people to the truth.

Right off the bat Iâm going to tell you that this is a spoiler-rific review. Iâve puzzled it over but I canât for the life of me figure out how Iâd be able to discuss what Wolkâs doing here without giving away large chunks oâ plot.

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Title: Charcoal Joe

Subtitle: Easy Rawlins 14

Author: Walter Mosley

Narrator: Lucian Msamati

Format: Unabridged

Length: 9 hrs and 56 mins

Language: English

Release date: 06-16-16

Publisher: Orion Publishing Group Limited

Genres: Mysteries & Thrillers, Historical

Publisher's Summary:

Life for Easy is uncharacteristically...easy. He's set up his own agency and is about to propose to his sweetheart, Bonnie. But all that changes when his old friend, Mouse - one of the deadliest men in America - appears at his door, asking for a small favour.

The favour is to help the son of a friend of Charcoal Joe who has been wrongly imprisoned. Charcoal Joe is a mythical figure in LA, a man who pulls all the strings but is known to very few. Reluctantly, Easy agrees - he owes Mouse his life. But it turns out this is no small favour, and Easy is drawn into one of his deadliest and most far-reaching investigations yet....

Members Reviews:

I enjoyed this story tremendously

I enjoyed this tremendously, the inclusion of Fearless Jones was a great touch, it only needed a little Paris Minton to link in all his great past books.

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Title: The Devil's Apprentice

Author: Edward Marston

Narrator: David Thorpe

Format: Unabridged

Length: 11 hrs and 29 mins

Language: English

Release date: 06-01-16

Publisher: Soundings

Ratings: 4.5 of 5 out of 2 votes

Genres: Mysteries & Thrillers, Historical

Publisher's Summary:

Faced with the austerities of a bitterly cold English winter, the theatre is deserted, and Westfields Men find themselves out of work.

Fortuitously, the company is invited to perform at a country home in Essex - welcome news to the disgruntled players. The company decides it's the perfect opportunity to trial their new play, The Witch of Colchester.

However, when the group's leading actor begins to fall mysteriously ill, the company fear witchcraft might be involved. Then, on the performance night, an audience member inexplicably collapses and dies, paving the way for Nicholas Bracewell to uncover the cause of the strange events taking place in Silvermere.

Members Reviews:

Another excellent Elizabethan murder mystery...

While I confess to finding the characters overbearing at times, the plot was sufficiently engaging and the mysteries sufficiently well thought out enough to hold my attention.

It's Ok

I had to read this book for my Shakespeare class because they talk about Shakespearean Theatre and what not. It's a mystery novel with some accurate history in it though.

The Eleventh in a Wonderful Series

Edward Marston is the pseudonym of Keith Miles, a fairly prolific and extremely good writer of mainly Elizabethan and medieval mysteries. He has also written mysteries under his own name with both sporting and golf backgrounds. However it is primarily the books that take place earlier in history that I am interested in. He read modern history at Oxford and has had many jobs, including university lecturer, but fortunately for all his readers, he turned to the writing profession.

A cold and miserable winter has put its icy hand on the streets of London and Nicholas Bracewell, company manager and his troupe of actors are out of work. When an offer to perform at a manor house in Essex, comes their way they are only too delighted to accept. But the offer comes with two rather strange conditions. They must perform an entirely new play and also take into their little group a young apprentice, Davy Stratton.

Initially Davy fits in well and seems to be quite talented. However he soon begins to disrupt the group and begins to argue with the other apprentices. Finally running away during a trip to Essex. Nicholas begins rehearsals for the new play, The Witch of Colchester, but when the lead actor begins to fall ill with symptoms identical to those that afflict his character in the play some of the other actors begin to fear that there may be a witch among the group. When a member of the audience during the opening night performance the troupe are only too aware that their latest venture may be short lived . . .

The author's love for the Elizabethan theatre comes shining through this series of books. Plus his knowledge of the period fills the pages with authenticity and the sights and sounds of the streets and inns of Elizabethan London.

a fun read

The Nicholas Bracewell Elizabethan Theatre series is hands down my favourite Elizabethan mystery series. Edward Marston (the authour) does a masterful job of combining broad humour with an intriguing plot and an in-depth look at the workings of a theatre troupe in 16th century England. Another plus: this series is almost always consistently good.

England is currently blanketed with horrendously bad winter weather, and the Westfield's Men face a season of being out of work, when good fortune practically leaps into their laps.

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Title: The French Lesson

Author: Hallie Rubenhold

Narrator: Julie Teal

Format: Unabridged

Length: 12 hrs and 3 mins

Language: English

Release date: 04-28-16

Publisher: Random House AudioBooks

Genres: Mysteries & Thrillers, Historical

Publisher's Summary:

It's 1789. Henrietta Lightfoot, a young Englishwoman, trips on her silk gown as she runs for her life along the bloodstained streets of revolutionary Paris. She finds refuge in the opulent home of Grace Dalyrmple Elliott, the city's most celebrated courtesan. But heads are rolling, neighbours fear neighbours and masters whisper before servants. As the sound of the guillotine echoes outside, within the gilded salons of high society Henrietta becomes a pawn in a vicious game of female power. How will she survive in a world where no one can be trusted?

Critic Reviews:

"Compelling and operatic...reads like a modern thriller." (Simon Sebag Montefiore, author of The Romanovs)

"A dark and irresistible historical novel." (Lucy Worsley)

Members Reviews:

1790 to 1820s Louis XVI period history - lovers and losers

I had no idea of the time period until quite well in. If we think being a mistress is a modern idea take a read. This story is about trust, deceit, wealth, lovers and the French Revolution. The babarrack times and atrocities are a backdrop to this historic and ficticious story. Narrator Julie Teal did a wonderful job yet again and is a pleasure to listen to.

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Title: Revenge in a Cold River

Author: Anne Perry

Narrator: Dierdra Whelan

Format: Unabridged

Length: 11 hrs and 19 mins

Language: English

Release date: 04-22-16

Publisher: Headline

Ratings: 5 of 5 out of 2 votes

Genres: Mysteries & Thrillers, Historical

Publisher's Summary:

William Monk faces an old enemy determined to take revenge for an act committed many years ago - before he lost his memory.

Anne Perry's outstanding new historical mystery takes us on a thrilling ride into Monk's past, as adversaries he cannot remember threaten everything he holds dear.

Members Reviews:

Gripping.

Another masterpiece from Anne Perry. The way her characters are drawn is nothing short of genius. I am always sorry to finish one of her books, and always anxiously await the next one.

A Very Sorry Addition to the Monk Series!

Normally a great fan of Anne Perry's stories, I found this one very disappointing! The plot was far fetched, and the court procedure improbable in the extreme!

One has the feeling that it was dashed out to make the quota!

A hearty congratulations to the reader who does her superb best to bring life and credibility to the characters, and make sense of the incredible plot!

Poor continuity

I have been an avid reader of Anne Perry's William Monk stories for many years, and, although the story was enthralling, in previous books Monk has had fears of rowing boats in the Highland Isles and on the coast of Northumbria since losing his memory. However, in this book he was an adventurer and a great seaman prior to the carriage accident. Though this will not prevent me from continuing to read Anne Perry books, long may she reign!