Download Best Sellers Audiobooks in Fiction, Historical

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Title: The Reluctant Widow

Author: Georgette Heyer

Narrator: Cornelius Garrett

Format: Unabridged

Length: 9 hrs and 26 mins

Language: English

Release date: 04-07-09

Publisher: Audible Studios

Ratings: 4.5 of 5 out of 878 votes

Genres: Fiction, Historical

Publisher's Summary:

Penniless Elinor is rather surprised at the carriage that meets her from the stage, and more so at the decayed grandeur of the house to which she's transported. Realising that there has been a case of mistaken identity she agrees to an audacious plan.

©2008 Georgette Heyer; (P)2014 Audible, Inc.

Members Reviews:

The Governess's New Position

This is my first experience with this author and narrator. They are impressive. This is a kind of fairy tale along the lines of Jane Austen's Pride and Prejudice with the fiery Elizabeth crossing swords with Darcy. I also think of Jane Eyre as she is confronted with Thornfield and its moody master which should give an idea of the relationship between hero and heroine. There was obviously intensive period research into the time and setting of the story. While I wasn't looking for any false notes, I didn't detect any. Georgette Geyer writes as if she were a contemporary of Austen or Bronte. An author who can bring to life espionage, treason, murder to say nothing of a solid romance, all at a rather creepy mansion is an accomplished writer. Geyer writes with a kind of tongue in cheek amusement, a potential pitfall which Cornelius Garrett embraced as his own. His narration took the book seriously while allowing its innate humor full play. He shines! This is one of those books which I would never buy at say Books a Million. Can you imagine me, a rough, sixty year old man in jeans and work boots browsing in the women's section much less walking around with actual chick lit in my hands? I don't think so. Don't you just love the anonymous nature of audio books? Only Audible, the six people who actually read this review and myself will ever know.

My Favorite Georgette Heyer book

I've been waiting for this one to appear for download and I was over the moon when I saw it had been added. I love the opening interview, the hero's kid brother and his dog, and all the misunderstandings. I have the cassette version, which I had to order from the UK, so I'm thrilled to get the download version for my iPod. The narrator is great and I just want to give audible a great big THANK YOU for making it available.

Francis Cheviot steals the show.

Garrett's portrayal of Francis Cheviot is one of the most entertaining interpretations I have ever heard. Garrett brings all his characters to vivid life. Well done.

More Heyer books please!

This is probably my favorite of Georgette Heyer's romances. It has suspense, humor, and romance. The narrator is very good. Voices are distinct but not weird except for the lisp of Mr Cheviot. I've read all of her books many times but somehow listening to them brings out points I've missed before.

More of the murder mysteries would be wonderful too!

An Enjoyable Audio Book!

Thank You Audible for having recorded so many Georgette Heyer books. I have read all of them but I really look forward to listening to them. I hope you can keep on recording other books of hers to audio.Cornelius Garrett does a great job reading these books as do the other readers. I especially like him reading A Quiet Gentlemen. I look forward to seeing in audio format of Sylvester, Frederica, The Grand Sophy, and Simon the Cold Heart. Thank you again Audible for the great service you render.

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Title: The Unlikely Spy

Author: Daniel Silva

Narrator: Michael Page

Format: Unabridged

Length: 18 hrs and 11 mins

Language: English

Release date: 03-20-09

Publisher: Brilliance Audio

Ratings: 4.5 of 5 out of 1368 votes

Genres: Fiction, Historical

Publisher's Summary:

Handpicked by Churchill himself, Vicary must stop an unknown spy from uncovering the Allied battle plans for D-Day. The Nazis, however, have also chosen their operative carefully. Posing as a war widow and hospital volunteer, Catherine Blake is under direct orders from Hitler to seal the German victory - no matter what the cost.

Members Reviews:

The Unlikely Spy

I read/listened to this book as a "test" of Daniel Silva. It suffices to say that after this one, I went and read/listened to all of this books in one shot. The strength of this books are their characters are believable, story lines are complex, and most of all, writing is good. I like his mastery of the language and descriptive phrases. I often want to read the same book twice. This book in particular is good for any WWII spy novel fans, since it does a good job mixing real historical events and fiction.

Amazingly well done!!

What made the experience of listening to The Unlikely Spy the most enjoyable?

After 200+ audiobooks, FINALLY! This one was far and away the best listen ever. Period. What an amazing job. The voices were done perfectly. It was like listening to a play, or a movie. The story was really good, but made spectacular by the way it was produced. Scott Brick could take lessons from Mr. Page! I was not so sure I wanted to get this, took the chance. So glad I did. Cudo's to Mr. Silva and Mr. Page, as well as to those who worked on making this a total joy.

Not Typical. Or That Good.

Sorry, but this is just not his best. Must've bought this one on sale after having listened (or read in print) some of his others. Let's say it was his first, and therefore he was young and inexperienced (and randy), but WAY too much focus on the physical and not enough on the plot. His other (Gabriel Allon) books are much more developed and better written. Not much to recommend this one: if you like WWII there are much better books, and if you like Daniel Silva, well, that TOO.

Riveting

This story has an excellent plot revolving around counterintelligence operations during WWII. The character development is excellent. Also, the narration is superb - English accents, American accents, Scottish, Irish, German (and multiple voices of each) even an excellent Winston Churchill. The story has many characters and Michael Page makes each of them different and brings them to life. Highly recommended.

Just as good as the Eye of the Needle.

I had read some of the other reviews and was a little worried when I bought this book. I was not disappointed at all. I found it as good any of Follett's work. The Eye of the needle was a very good book and I found Silva did as well if not better with The Unlikely Spy.

I will listen to this book a second time. The Unlikely Spy is one of Silva's best works.

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Title: The Talisman Ring

Author: Georgette Heyer

Narrator: Phyllida Nash

Format: Unabridged

Length: 9 hrs and 25 mins

Language: English

Release date: 11-03-08

Publisher: Audible Studios

Ratings: 4.5 of 5 out of 600 votes

Genres: Fiction, Historical

Publisher's Summary:

The legend of the Headless Horseman and a proposed marriage de convenance both have their impact on the mystery of a golden talisman ring and Lord Lavenham's young heir, Ludovic. Neither Sir Tristram Shield nor Eustacie, his young French cousin, share the slightest inclination to marry one another, yet it is Lord Lavenham's dying wish. For there is no one else to provide for the old man's granddaughter while Ludovic remains a fugitive from justice...

Members Reviews:

I laughed and laughed

This is just a delightful novel, the characters so endearingly funny and the plot twists and turns. I am in awe of Phillida Nash's skill in giving us so many distinct voices from young to older, french and english. She enhances and enlivens what is already a great tale.

As good as a play

Although somewhat shorter than many of her other novels. Heyer's Talisman Ring is one of her most entertaining reads. When I first read it years ago I thought how good a play it would make. Now, many years on, my very much thumbed and ragged version of the book has been replaced with an Audible version of the book delightfully read by Phyllida Nash - and yes, it does play very well as an audiobook. Snappy and funny dialogue of extremely likeable characters in a gently adventurous situation, this is a book that is fun to read and fun to listen to for anyone who enjoys lighthearted, well-scripted, regency romances.

Excellent mystery romp! One of Heyer's best!

Phyllida Nash brings this story to life far beyond the usual excellence of Heyer's sparkling dialog, quick-paced plot, and engaging characters. What a perfect reader for Heyer's prose!

great combination of dialog, narration

This is my third by this author in the last 2 weeks, it's addictive. This narrator really did an excellent job with each voice, so the dialog was even better. The french accent was great, loved the schemes of the two women. The plot twists kept it interesting, overall completely entertaining. Highly recommend if you like historical romance. Nothing steamy here, just lots of wit and humor.

Happy endings after a lovely journey

Reading Georgette Heyer books is perfect for those of us who have tired of too many bloody thrillers, depressing stories about personal discovery, tortured lives and redemption. Heyer books are perhaps for slightly advanced age group with hundreds of titles and topics covered over the years. In Heyer books like this one, the reader will find a clever story, well-researched historical language, plenty of humorous moments and enough plot to keep interest up. Simply enjoyable!

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Title: The Given Day

Author: Dennis Lehane

Narrator: Michael Boatman

Format: Unabridged

Length: 23 hrs and 46 mins

Language: English

Release date: 10-30-08

Publisher: HarperAudio

Ratings: 4 of 5 out of 771 votes

Genres: Fiction, Historical

Publisher's Summary:

Filled with a cast of unforgettable characters more richly drawn than any Lehane has ever created, The Given Day tells the story of two families: one black, one white, swept up in a maelstrom of revolutionaries and anarchists, immigrants and ward bosses, Brahmins and ordinary citizens, all engaged in a battle for survival and power.

Beat cop Danny Coughlin, the son of one of the city's most beloved and powerful police captains, joins a burgeoning union movement and the hunt for violent radicals. Luther Laurence, on the run after a deadly confrontation with a crime boss in Tulsa, works for the Coughlin family and tries desperately to find his way home to his pregnant wife.

Here, too, are some of the most influential figures of the era: Babe Ruth; Eugene O'Neill; leftist activist Jack Reed; NAACP founder W. E. B. DuBois; Mitchell Palmer, Woodrow Wilson's ruthless Red-chasing attorney general; cunning Massachusetts governor Calvin Coolidge; and an ambitious young Department of Justice lawyer named John Hoover.

Coursing through some of the pivotal events of the time, including the Spanish Influenza pandemic and culminating in the Boston Police Strike of 1919, The Given Day explores the crippling violence and irrepressible exuberance of a country at war with, and in the thrall of, itself. As Danny, Luther, and those around them struggle to define themselves in increasingly turbulent times, they gradually find family in one another and, together, ride a rising storm of hardship, deprivation, and hope that will change all their lives.

Critic Reviews:

"[An] engrossing epic....A vision of redemption and a triumph of the human spirit." (Publishers Weekly)

Members Reviews:

As Good As It Gets

With a truly hideous daily LA commute, I get to listen to a lot of audiobooks, from a lot of genres. I've come to realize that a good audiobook is hard to find -- it requires both great writing and strong, diverse interpretive reading from a voice that can mimic (not mock) different voices. I've heard some otherwise well-written books devolve into hackneyed hideousness with bad readings (Peter Weller doing William Gibson comes to mind), and, of course, not even a good reader can save a bad book (ie, stay away from "Errors and Omissions"). That said, this version of Dennis Lehane's new novel is, quite simply, the best I've heard. I've liked Lehane's books in the past, but hadn't been blown away, and I've enjoyed the two movies I've seen from his work (Mystic River, Gone Baby Gone), but I was not at all prepared for the powerhouse punch this audiobook delivers. The writing is taught, sweet, seemingly true to the historical period and emotionally honest. The plot development is riveting without being ludicrous. The interweaving of fictional characters with historical figures, though hardly new (reminded me somewhat of Doctorow's "Ragtime"), is deftly handled. Add to that the narrator's phenomenal ability to vest the different characters with consistent and believable voices, as he easily and smoothly jumps from Southie Bostonian to Southern African-American to immigrant Italian(a testament to this truly gifted reader is the listener's inability to discern the reader's own ethnicity), and no accent he does seems forced or mocked. The combination of great writing and reading makes this audiobook my unqualified favorite of my listening career.

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Title: Song of Redemption

Author: Lynn Austin

Narrator: Suzanne Toren

Format: Unabridged

Length: 13 hrs and 41 mins

Language: English

Release date: 07-18-08

Publisher: Recorded Books

Ratings: 5 of 5 out of 689 votes

Genres: Fiction, Historical

Publisher's Summary:

The second book in her Chronicles of the Kings series, Song of Redemption, is a retelling of the life of Hezekiah, King of Judah from 716 to 687 BC. After years of idolatry, Judah's temple has been cleansed and Hezekiah has brought God's law back to his people. But when he incurs the wrath of the barbaric Assyrians, he will need help from a surprising source.

Critic Reviews:

"Austin tells a compelling, multilayered story with richly drawn, believable characters who will engage readers' sympathies." (Library Journal)

Members Reviews:

The temple is rebuilt.

What did you love best about Song of Redemption?

How King Hezzikiah grew to be such a man of God. I loved the push and pull between Shebnah and Eliakim. The stories of the women showed such strength and the willingness to serve others.

Did the narration match the pace of the story?

I would have preferred a male voice or maybe a male and female for the different characters but it was good.

Any additional comments?

Read all 5 books on this topic for a great overview of this time period.

If You Liked Gods and Kings, Keep Going With This

As I said in my review of Gods and Kings, this book is also a good read for guys as well as for the ladies. I have read the first 3 books in this series, and I have found all three to be well written and very engaging. You won't get bored by these books; that is for sure!

Another Excellent Book by Lynn Austin

Once again I truly enjoyed this book. Once I started it, I could not put it down. It really makes the Bible come alive for you. Mrs. Austin did a fantastic job on the development of the story from Biblical and historical facts.

Fascinating and Inspirational

I won't write a long review since I wrote a long one on the whole series for the first book. This covers Hezekiah's Tunnel and I found it fascinating. Especially to think that something so ancient is still in use today. Amazing. I really enjoyed this book and the ones before and after it. I did find them uplifting and inspirational. I have liked books, two this one, and book three in this series best. Don't think you can go wrong if you are looking for something inspirational to read when you choose this book. I have to admit I'm going to have to go back and read Kings and Chronicles again. I particularly like the bits with the prophet Isaiah in them.

A Great Historical Novel

As I read this I couldn't resist looking the story up in the Bible. Lynn Austin brings to life the struggle for faith that Hezekiah had as he stood for God in the midst of a nation that turned to many other religions and philosophies. She also clearly shows the cruelty of the Assyrian Army and the fear they put in the people. In the midst of all this she intwines a story of God's redemption.

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Title: Genghis

Subtitle: Birth of an Empire

Author: Conn Iggulden

Narrator: Stefan Rudnicki

Format: Unabridged

Length: 14 hrs and 46 mins

Language: English

Release date: 06-22-08

Publisher: Blackstone Audio, Inc.

Ratings: 4.5 of 5 out of 1523 votes

Genres: Fiction, Historical

Publisher's Summary:

He was born Temujin, son of a khan, raised in a clan of hunters migrating across the steppe. Temujin's young life was shaped by a series of brutal acts: the betrayal of his father by a neighboring tribe, his family left to die on the harsh plain. But Temujin endured, and from then on, he was driven by a fury to survive in the face of death, to kill before being killed, and to conquer enemies from beyond the horizon. Along with his ferocious courage, it was the young warrior's ability to learn, to imagine, and to judge the hearts of others that propelled him to greater power, bending empires to his will.

©2007 Conn Iggulden; (P)2008 Blackstone Audio, Inc.

Critic Reviews:

"Brilliantly imagined and addictive....Iggulden weaves a spellbinding story of an exotic and 'unforgiving land' and the enigmatic young man - charismatic, a brilliant tactician and capable 'of utter ruthlessness' - who sets out to tame it. This is historical fiction of the first order." (Publishers Weekly)

Members Reviews:

Move over Bernard Cornwell

I was not prepared for how much I would love this book. It caught me by surprise which may have added to my delight. The writing is superb, marked by clarity, consistently apt and powerful images, and a fine sense of pacing. Iggulden's command of the setting and detail allow you to relax and settle into this alien world without reservation. The story itself is compelling from beginning to end and has the unsettling ring of truth. This is a writer who can put deep historical research into human terms which allows us to live with characters we might otherwise find incomprehensible. The afterward, which detailed the historical underpinnings for the book, also surprised me since I had assumed the author had taken far more liberties with the factual record than he actually did. A WONDERFUL read though, as with Cornwell, the violence and gore are very much a part of the fabric of the story as they must be in order to convey authentically what it must have been to survive and thrive in such a harsh world.

An enthralling tale

Stefan Rudnicki is one of my favorite narrators. I chose this book for a listen primarily for that reason. He drew me into the story as he always does. No surprise there. The Mongol names and terms especially seem to flow naturally from his tongue. And I always admire how he can alter his mesmerizingly deep voice as required for different characters.

Having recently listened to a number of young adult stories (including Ender's Game, also narrated by Rudnicki), this book seemed almost to be a continuation of the trend. As the title suggests, this book begins like a coming of age story about the boy Temujin and ends with his metamorphosis into Ghengis, khan of several tribes.

Temujin is truly a captivating character. I was quite taken aback by the mountain of obstacles put against him and the ferocious courage, vision and key allies it required merely to survive at all. In fact I was so skeptical I did a little research on my own afterward to settle the truth of it in my mind. Satisfied that the facts were essentially true (in afterward the author also explains what he altered for purposes of the story), in retrospect I then found the story to be an even more captivating depiction of what the life must have been like in the family and tribes of Temujin and not just an enthralling story.

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Title: Loving Frank

Author: Nancy Horan

Narrator: Joyce Bean

Format: Unabridged

Length: 13 hrs and 38 mins

Language: English

Release date: 06-22-08

Publisher: Brilliance Audio

Ratings: 4 of 5 out of 1272 votes

Genres: Fiction, Historical

Publisher's Summary:

So writes Mamah Borthwick Cheney in her diary as she struggles to justify her clandestine love affair with Frank Lloyd Wright.

Four years earlier, in 1903, Mamah and her husband, Edwin, had commissioned the renowned architect to design a new home for them. During the construction of the house, a powerful attraction developed between Mamah and Frank, and in time the lovers, each married with children, embarked on a course that would shock Chicago society and forever change their lives.

In this groundbreaking historical novel, fact and fiction blend together brilliantly. While scholars have largely relegated Mamah to a footnote in the life of America's greatest architect, author Nancy Horan gives full weight to their dramatic love story and illuminates Mamah's profound influence on Wright.

Drawing on years of research, Horan weaves little-known facts into a compelling narrative, vividly portraying the conflicts and struggles of a woman forced to choose between the roles of mother, wife, lover, and intellectual. Horan's Mamah is a woman seeking to find her own place, her own creative calling in the world, and her unforgettable journey, marked by choices that reshape her notions of love and responsibility, leads inexorably to this novel's stunning conclusion.

Critic Reviews:

"This spirited novel brings Mamah the attention she deserves as an intellectual and feminist." (Publishers Weekly)

Members Reviews:

Fascinating

If you don't know the story of Mamah and Frank, don't Google it. I didn't and I did, and regretted having done so. It would have been more satisfying to let the book unfold without knowing the end.

This is an excellent audiobook. It brings to life a woman heretofore relegated to a footnote in the history of the brilliant and famous Frank Lloyd Wright. I think Mamah Borthwicke would be pleased.

The book dragged a bit somewhere around the middle, although this might have been because Googling it spoiled it a bit for me. But the ending was powerful, gut-wrenching, and I actually cried. After listening to Frank's letter to the Chicago Tribune -- which is an accurate rendering, btw -- I realized that like the Trib's readers, I had fallen into some shallow opinions of Mamah. This too, may account for the dragging I noticed.

This is a great read, treat yourself. Take stock at the end and ask yourself if you too, have judged Mamah as Frank charges. It's a stimulating exercise.

Hang in there

I wasn't sure I liked anybody in this book at the beginning - children left behind for a man whose genius was obvious but his sense of purpose arrogant and obsessive. But from a female point of view, the book is fascinating. Mamah is really the focus and she ends up creating a life for herself and her children and emerges with a great deal of integrity. I ended up loving the book although never really loved Frank.

Interesting Account of a Relationship

This is a facinating account of a the "scandalous" affair between Frank Lloyd Wright and Mamah Borthwich Cheney. I couldn't help thinking how selfish Mamah was to leave her family for FLW and I don't understand how that really helped the women's movement, since she was supposed to have been a big feminist. The embarassment both of their families suffered was great as they were hounded by the press and snubbed by former friends, after the affair was brought to light in the newspapers.

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Title: Tree of Smoke

Subtitle: A Novel

Author: Denis Johnson

Narrator: Will Patton

Format: Unabridged

Length: 23 hrs and 10 mins

Language: English

Release date: 09-04-07

Publisher: Macmillan Audio

Ratings: 3.5 of 5 out of 574 votes

Genres: Fiction, Historical

Publisher's Summary:

National Book Award, Fiction, 2007

Critic Reviews:

"Prose of amazing power and stylishness." (Philip Roth)"The God I want to believe in has a voice and a sense of humor like Denis Johnson's." (Jonathan Franzen)"Once Johnson gets his hooks into you, it takes about two sentences, it's...pretty much impossible to stop reading." (The New York Times Book Review)

Members Reviews:

tree of smoke

i rarely make comments but feel compelled to do so here. i was first made aware of this book in the new york times. the review was the most favorable that i can ever remember reading. i then saw the one star reviews here and very nearly didn't order the book. that would have been a huge mistake. i don't expect to ever see tom cruise starring in the movie version of this book and if you are drawn to books that are paced in that way, you will likely be disappointed. however, if beauty of language, compelling imagery, and depth of character appeal to you, allow yourself to be immersed in the depth of this incredible tale.

No Redemption Possible

Moves one irrevocably into the degradation of war. Particularly this war, Viet Nam. A difficult book to get over. Perhaps I'm damaged now...certainly not the same. Grateful to Denis Johnson.

Moby Redux

Not since Moby Dick have I encountered a novel that will engage you on a gut-wrenching visceral level of realism and then slide you gently into a meditation of metaphysical matters, and then bam! back into realism. And just as literature students debate endlessly the meaning of Ahab's obsessions and Ishmael's salvation, so too will future generations have the pleasure of deciphering Johnson's challenge: what are we to make of his tree of smoke, his birth-canal tunnels, his Catholic priests of lost faith, his monks of lost purpose, his missionaries crushed by Calvinism, his psy-op warriors on the edge where "reality becomes the dream" and who become the final "compensator"? These are not easy threads to link into a unified vision, but the Johnson is throwing down a big challenge to his reader to pay attention to these underlying concerns and not merely ride the more surface story. But that is not easy either because oh what a surface story it is-amazingly poetical, with never a lazy sentence, with dialogue that crackles, and characters who will stick in your memory. It is true that the surface plot about the Colonel's plans takes an abrupt turn and seems not to matter any more, but what does matter is where the characters are going, and we are allowed to follow all of them--each to their surprising and satisfying journey's end. No one reads Moby Dick just to learn about whaling practices, so too no one should read "Tree of Smoke" just to learn about why we were in Vietnam. What Johnson's metaphysical message is, I have not come to terms with yet, but I love the challenge he has given us. And the narrator, Will Patton, gives a reading that is poignant to the point of raising the hairs on your neck. What a ride, what a ride, what a ride.

Still disturbing after all this time

Missed the original and want to experience the Viet Nam war? Denis Johnson does a remarkable job of recreating this psychotic episode in American history. If you're looking for understanding, you might not find it here -- though the forest spirit hypothesis works for me.

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Title: Medicus

Subtitle: A Novel of the Roman Empire

Author: Ruth Downie

Narrator: Simon Vance

Format: Unabridged

Length: 11 hrs and 49 mins

Language: English

Release date: 03-05-07

Publisher: Tantor Audio

Ratings: 4 of 5 out of 2518 votes

Genres: Fiction, Historical

Publisher's Summary:

Now he has a new problem: a slave who won't talk and can't cook, and drags trouble in her wake. Before he knows it, Ruso is caught in the middle of an investigation into the deaths of prostitutes working out of the local bar.

A few years earlier, after he rescued Emperor Trajan from an earthquake in Antioch, Ruso seemed headed for glory: now he's living among heathens in a vermin-infested bachelor pad and must summon all his forensic knowledge to find a killer who may be after him next.

Who are the true barbarians, the conquered or the conquerors? It's up to Ruso (certainly the most likeable sleuth to come out of the Roman Empire) to discover the truth. With a gift for comic timing and historic detail, Ruth Downie has conjured an ancient world as raucous and real as our own.

Critic Reviews:

"Downie's auspicious debut sparkles with beguiling characters and a vividly imagined evocation of a hazy frontier." (Publishers Weekly)

"Fans of Alexander McCall Smith will delight in this series debut set in Roman-occupied Britain and featuring wry army doctor Gaius Petreius Ruso." (Booklist)

Members Reviews:

Great listen

Great story, good pacing. I thought it brought ancient Rome to life. Highly recommend.

Took Me by Surprise

The similarities to Lindsey Davis's Falco are present and obvious, so I didn't expect much more than a takeoff. I was so wrong. There was plenty that was fresh and enjoyable. The plot is very absorbing, the hero is likable and engaging, and there's ample, if gentle, humor. Except for the unreliable best friend, none of the characters were stock, and some were very startling. Ms. Downey is less didactic than Ms. Lindsey with the historical info, and that had pluses and minuses. On the one hand, I had to do more guessing by context on terms, but it also allowed for a free flow that I enjoyed. I would definitely recommend this.

Audio: After a recent series of horrible readers, this was a great pleasure. The reader has a pleasant voice, is a good actor, and delineates the characters beautifully. And unlike most male readers, he does a good job with the females, using timbre instead of pitch, thus sounding like real women rather than impersonators or elderly aunts. He's top drawer on this one.

You are there in ancient Britain

This is a thoroughly enjoyable murder mystery and imaginative recreation of ancient Britain in the early days of Roman occupation. Humorous and colorful.

Highly Entertaining

The first installment of a highly entertaining mystery by British writer Ruth Downie. The Medicus, Ruso, an army doctor becomes a reluctant detective who tries to solve a murder mystery in the Britannia port of Deva. Along the way, he matches wits with Tilla, his slave girl, the hospital thug, and the women of the bordello, to hilarious results. Top it off with excellent narration by the great Simon Vance, and you've got a good read.

Medicus

As always, Simon Vances is a joy to listen to, his narration flawless, each character distinctly drawn by the voices he gives to them. After a bit of a slow start, the book picks up its pace and provides a fascinating look into Britannia under Roman rule. Most enjoyable for anyone who loves historical fiction.

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Title: Sharpe's Triumph

Subtitle: Book II of the Sharpe Series

Author: Bernard Cornwell

Narrator: Frederick Davidson

Format: Unabridged

Length: 11 hrs and 40 mins

Language: English

Release date: 12-22-06

Publisher: Blackstone Audio, Inc.

Ratings: 4.5 of 5 out of 918 votes

Genres: Fiction, Historical

Publisher's Summary:

With the return of the brave English sergeant Richard Sharpe, set to battle the mercenary forces of the Mahratta confederation in India, Bernard Cornwell claims his rightful place among the masters of historical narrative. Sharpe's Triumph is a riveting story of betrayal and revenge that, like each new installment in the Sharpe series, was an immediate best seller around the world.

Don't miss the rest of

's literary masterpieces.

Critic Reviews:

"Cornwell's fans will dance with delight as horsemen charge and sabers swing through chaos and terror." (Kirkus Reviews)

"Consistently...brilliantly realized...the Sharpe novels are wonderful." (Stephen King)

Members Reviews:

great series!

Very impressive early work. I had only heard the later versions through Books on Tape and was quite happy to see that Audible has gone back for books 1-6 (well 1 and 2 so far) to complete the story. Good read and wonderful reader!

Sharpe is my new Lewrie, who took over for Aubrey

I love Napoleonic War/Age of Sail stories and the Sharpe series promises to fill the void left by the completion of Aubrey/Maturin and Alan Lewrie series. It appears Audible has done it again, however, by not stocking the complete list of titles, they have left me hanging. Audible, get your act together and offer the complete Alan Lewrie and Sharpe series.

Great story - Poor narration quality

This was a very odd recording for the novel. It seemed to me that narrators were switched in the middle of story off and on. I love listening to Frederick Davidson, but in parts of this, his voice either changed or someone else was brought in to do the narration. My recording also repeated several times in the 2nd part of this download.

All in all, the book is great but the quality of the narrated product is far below others I've listened to Audible.

I hope this is not a trend that continues.

Audible--How could you???

I have read many other Cornwell books but always thought the Sharpe books wouldn't be for me; I was soo wrong. I have read first two and am absolutely hooked. I came tonight to find the next one and Audible doesn't have it--at all!!

How could you get me addicted to the series and then not have them all available?? Where is your humanity, Audible? Where in the world is Sharpe's Fortress? I need it.

It says on Cornwell's website that it's next. And I can see there IS an ongoing storyline here, so leaving out a book leaves a hole.

Errors in the audio file!

Any additional comments?

This is a good story and an enjoyable presentation. However, it is marred by a number of audio file errors. It surprises me that today, such errors can make it through to production releases. It's a pity because they do detract from this book.