Get the Most Popular Audiobooks in Mysteries & Thrillers, Historical

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Title: Arrowood

Subtitle: An Arrowood Mystery

Author: Mick Finlay

Narrator: Malk Williams

Format: Unabridged

Length: 9 hrs and 29 mins

Language: English

Release date: 07-18-17

Publisher: Harlequin Audio

Ratings: 4.5 of 5 out of 7 votes

Genres: Mysteries & Thrillers, Historical

Publisher's Summary:

The year is 1895. London is scared. A killer haunts the city's streets. The poor are hungry. Crime bosses are taking control. The police force is stretched to the breaking point.

The rich turn to Sherlock Holmes, but the celebrated private detective rarely visits the densely populated streets of South London, where the crimes are sleazier and the people are poorer.

In the dark corner of Southwark, victims turn to a man who despises Holmes, his wealthy clientele, and his showy forensic approach to crime: Arrowood - self-taught psychologist, occasional drunkard, and private investigator.

When a man mysteriously disappears and Arrowood's best lead is viciously stabbed before his eyes, he and his sidekick, Barnett, face their toughest quest yet: to capture the head of the most notorious gang in London.

In the best-selling tradition of Anthony Horowitz and Andrew Taylor, this gloriously dark crime debut will haunt listeners long after it is over.

Members Reviews:

A must have for a Sherlock Holmes fans

I enjoyed this visit to the Sherlock Holmes universe. Particularly the main characters dislike for Holmes. Defiantly worth a listen

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Title: The Berlin Deception

Author: Jeffrey Vanke

Narrator: Ian Russell

Format: Unabridged

Length: 11 hrs and 3 mins

Language: English

Release date: 06-26-17

Publisher: Spoken Word Inc

Ratings: 1 of 5 out of 1 votes

Genres: Mysteries & Thrillers, Historical

Publisher's Summary:

John Becker is hot on the trail of Hitler's fatal weakness. The Gestapo is closing in. On foot, by train, even on water, Becker is running and gunning for his life...and for the world. Hitler's Third Reich is rearming and planning for war. Churchill wants to stop him, but only Becker's report can reverse the British mood of appeasement. Cornered by the Gestapo, desperate to save his German collaborator Maria, Becker has mere days to ward off double disaster.

Appropriate for ages 17 to adult. Some language, some violence, adult themes.

Members Reviews:

The Berlin Deception

I read this last year and must have forgotten to write a review as it keeps appearing on my review page. The only thing that I remember about it is that I did not dislike it. I Sorry this is the best I can do.

A spellbinder!

Keeps you turning those pages! I read this book 4 years ago and decided to read it again. It is now 4 AM an I just finished it - again! Be sure and start early in the day so you don't stay up all night like I just did!

Well written, great story line, except too many twists at the end

I started reading this book because it was recommended from a Jack Higgins search I had made on Kindle. The story is good, the characters well conceived. In the last couple of chapters the story takes on one too many twists to make it plausible. It almost feels like the author tries too hard to keep the book alive, trying too hard to squeeze an extra couple of chapters onto the end. Other than that it's an entertaining read and if you like books like the Eagle has Landed or In Persuit of Platinum, you will find this more than adequate.

***SPOILER ALERT***

The main characters are trying to leave Germany, being chased by everyone but Hitler himself. In the last couple of chapters they leave Germany like 4 times only to find themselves back there by some very imaginative circumstances. Perhaps if this book was made into a movie, it may work on screen, but in a book it almost seemed funny.

Good historical read

This novel is a good description of prewar Nazi Germany. It reveals the atmosphere of Hitler's effect on German society and the way the Nazis took over society and how many people suffered Eve. Before Work!d Aar I broke out

Good Read!

I liked this like I enjoy my romance novels. It's a great thriller with a great back-drop if you like WWII stories. It had a bit of a twist which I enjoyed and I always like happy endings. There were some surprises along the way as well, but I enjoyed the close calls and the crazy things that needed to be done to flee Germany and the sacrifices people made. Although I think the author took much liberty with the number of 'simpathetic' Germans to the Jewish cause than was actually experienced at the time.Unless the hero was lucky enough to be drawn to those people. All in all it was a book that caught me from the beginning and it was an easy read. I normally get library books, so for me to pay money, it has to really grip me. And it did with the sample read.

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Title: The Outcasts of Time

Author: Ian Mortimer

Narrator: Barnaby Edwards

Format: Unabridged

Length: 12 hrs and 1 min

Language: English

Release date: 06-16-17

Publisher: Simon & Schuster UK

Ratings: 5 of 5 out of 1 votes

Genres: Mysteries & Thrillers, Historical

Publisher's Summary:

From the author described by The Times as 'the most remarkable historian of our time', this is a stunningly high-concept historical novel, perfect for fans of Conn Iggulden, SJ Parris and Kate Mosse.

December 1348: With the country in the grip of the Black Death, brothers John and William fear that they will shortly die and go to hell. But as the end draws near, they are given an unexpected choice: either to go home and spend their last six days in their familiar world or to search for salvation across the forthcoming centuries - living each one of their remaining days 99 years after the last.

John and William choose the future and find themselves in 1447, ignorant of almost everything going on around them. The year 1546 brings no more comfort, and 1645 challenges them still further. It is not just that technology is changing: things they have taken for granted all their lives prove to be short-lived.

As they find themselves in stranger and stranger times, the listener travels with them, seeing the world through their eyes as it shifts through disease, progress, enlightenment and war. But their time is running out - can they do something to redeem themselves before the six days are up?

Members Reviews:

Brilliant

I thoroughly enjoyed listening to this book. The authors use of language is outstanding and the unfolding story really immerses you in the different time periods. Rather sentimental of me I know, but I was really moved by the ending.

Compelling and Thought Provoking

I really loved this book. What is a good deeld? So many ethical dilemmas inside a thoroughly entertaining story. I found it hard to put down. Excellent narrator. Author did well to maintain the main character's believability and authenticity. Just a couple of forgiveable slips, otherwise brilliant. For me he made the different periods in history come to life. Thorighky recommend this book.

Imaginative, thought-provoking historical fiction

Ive listened to three of the authors entertaining historical time travellers guides and enjoyed his way of illuminating the past by describing the experiences of ordinary people.

The present book is a mix of highly imaginative fantasy mixed with historical fact. Instead of passively describing what life was like in each century from the 15th to 20th, and how it changed, he has two brothers born in the 15th century travel through time and materialize in a different century on 6 consecutive days. Each time jumping forward by 99 years.

Told in the first person by John, history comes vividly to life. it transforms dry facts into a fascinating chronology of the changes in government, religious beliefs, laws and punishments, the evolution of technology, what people, ate drank and the clothes they wore; and not least, the impact of disease and war.

The brothers confusion at the new ways and words they encounter in future centuries highlights the changes and at times adds humour to their hardships. The first person narrative makes for a pacy and gripping book that I greatly enjoyed. The events and way of life they experience in the 19th and 20th centuries are more familiar and their re-telling not so engaging, but the final message of what it means to be human is powerful and thought-provoking.

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Title: An Act of Mercy

Author: J. J. Durham

Narrator: Rupert Bates

Format: Unabridged

Length: 8 hrs and 22 mins

Language: English

Release date: 06-15-17

Publisher: HarperCollins Publishers Limited

Ratings: 4.5 of 5 out of 11 votes

Genres: Mysteries & Thrillers, Historical

Publisher's Summary:

A thrilling tale of murder and intrigue in Victorian London, featuring Detective Harry Pilgrim. Perfect for fans of Ripper Street and The Mangle Street Murders.

London, 1850. A city of contrasts. Of scientific marvels, poverty, disease and death. When Detective Sergeant Harry Pilgrim (one of London's first police detectives) discovers the corpse of a woman in a Hackney cab, the case seems straightforward - until the only suspect is found murdered in his cell.

Pilgrim is hindered in his investigation by his own dark past - a dead son and a missing wife - and also by the well-meaning interference of Charles Dickens, who is serialising Pilgrim's adventures in his journal Household Words. The case turns into a deadly game of cat and mouse. But who is the cat and who the mouse?

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Title: The Samurai Code

Subtitle: A Hiram Kane Novella, Book 1

Author: Steven Moore

Narrator: Kenneth Bryant

Format: Unabridged

Length: 3 hrs and 59 mins

Language: English

Release date: 06-06-17

Publisher: Steven Moore & Condor Publishing

Ratings: 4 of 5 out of 6 votes

Genres: Mysteries & Thrillers, Historical

Publisher's Summary:

Expedition leader Hiram Kane is in Japan when the storm of the century hits. He joins the rescue mission as flash floods cause chaos, death and destruction.

Yakuza boss Katashi Goto is retiring from the mob. Before he does, there is one more thing to achieve: revenge over a centuries old enemy.

When their two very different worlds collide, Kane is forced to make a choice. He has always known honour is worth fighting for. When challenged by Katashi, he has to decide if it is also worth dying for.

The Samurai Code is the first instalment of the Hiram Kane adventure series. For fans of Russell Blake and Clive Cussler, Steven Moore's breakout action thriller will leave you breathless.

Members Reviews:

Wow!!! What a story!

This is the first book by this author and narrator that I have listened to. I found it quite enjoyable. The author was able to give such vivid imagery and I loved the glimpses of Japanese history and culture. I thought the book moved along quite well and had enough character development for its short length. The narrator was able to convey so many emotions, and did a great job with the various characters. My review is not a synopsis of the book, but rather my opinion of it. I was provided with this review copy audiobook at no charge by the author, publisher, and/or narrator at my request and voluntarily left this review. In addition to being full of action, this book does give some great insight into the Japanese culture, and some unexpected humor.

Well done! Awesome story.

Would you listen to The Samurai Code again? Why?

Yes I would, Kenneth Bryant is an awesome narrator based on his performance and he nailed the Japanese voices.

Who was your favorite character and why?

The MC Hiram Kane because he reminds me of Indiana Jones and I can easily see him fitting into a movie adaption. Steve has clearly crafted this character very well!

Have you listened to any of Kenneth Bryants other performances before? How does this one compare?

No, I have not, this is my first time hearing Kenneth. He puts the feeling into each character including the Japanese Boss. This guy has a great talent!

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

It made me laugh a few times, but it kept me on the edge of my seat. Reading the book was great, but in audio format, it's 10 times better. This could easily be the British version of Indiana Jones!

Hints of an adventurer with more of a tale to tell

Would you recommend this audiobook to a friend? If so, why?

This book introduces Hiram Kane and as such, moved slower than usual. There are hints that there is more to come on Hiram's background, but there is sufficient detail in this book to give a rounded story. Not as much of a mystery as I thought there would be but the small insights into Japanese culture added to the overall reading enjoyment. I received this audio book for free and voluntarily reviewed.

Interesting.

A tale of samurai, and a good story line makes this book interesting. I received this audio book for free and voluntarily reviewed.

This just wasn't quite for me.

Would you say that listening to this book was time well-spent? Why or why not?

Yes, because it was from an author I had never read before and I like to periodically try out different ones. Now I know.

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Title: Sherlock Holmes' Final Chapter: Classic Scripts

Subtitle: The Holmes and Watson Series, Book 4

Author: Ian Shimwell

Narrator: Kevin Theis

Format: Unabridged

Length: 54 mins

Language: English

Release date: 03-13-17

Publisher: Shimwell's Scripts

Ratings: 4 of 5 out of 1 votes

Genres: Mysteries & Thrillers, Historical

Publisher's Summary:

An unprecedented crime wave is remorselessly sweeping across the city of London....

How have the criminals achieved so much recent remarkable success?

Inspector Lestrade does not know which way to turn. Holmes and Watson follow a series of tantalizing clues leading them closer to the darkness....

Holmes begins to sense a creeping pattern behind their investigation....

Could this really be the great detective's final chapter..?

Audiobook is further enhanced with atmospheric music and sound effects.

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Title: The Witchfinder's Sister

Author: Beth Underdown

Narrator: Lucy Brownhill, Roy McMillan

Format: Unabridged

Length: 10 hrs and 54 mins

Language: English

Release date: 03-02-17

Publisher: Penguin Books Ltd

Ratings: 3.5 of 5 out of 4 votes

Genres: Mysteries & Thrillers, Historical

Publisher's Summary:

Penguin presents the unabridged downloadable audiobook edition of The Witchfinder's Sister by Beth Underdown, read by Lucy Brownhill and Roy McMillan.

It's 1645. When Alice Hopkins' husband dies in a tragic accident, she returns to the small Essex town of Manningtree, where her brother Matthew still lives. But home is no longer a place of safety. Matthew has changed, and there are rumours spreading through the town: whispers of witchcraft, and of a great book, in which he is gathering women's names. To what lengths will Matthew's obsession drive him? And what choice will Alice make when she finds herself at the very heart of his plan?

Critic Reviews:

"Vivid and terrifying." (Paula Hawkins, author of The Girl on the Train)

"A richly told and utterly compelling tale, with shades of Hilary Mantel." (Kate Hamer)

"Anyone who liked Cecilia Ekback's Wolf Winter is going to love this.... [It's] about tiny braveries and small courage...a real David and Goliath story, but far less straightforward." (Natasha Pulley, author of The Watchmaker of Filigree Street)

"A tense, surprising and elegantly-crafted novel. The Witchfinder's Sister is a gripping exploration of the dark and twisted roots of seventeenth-century paranoia." (Ian McGuire, author of The North Water)

"Beth Underdown grips us from the outset and won't let go...at once a feminist parable and an old-fashioned, check-twice-under-the-bed thriller." (Patrick Gale, author of Notes from an Exhibition)

"Beth Underdown cleverly creates a compelling atmosphere of dread and claustrophobia.... Even from the distance of nearly four hundred years, her Matthew Hopkins is a genuinely frightening monster." (Kate Riordan, author of The Girl in the Photograph)

"Superb: dark, terrifying and utterly compelling." (Tracy Borman)

Members Reviews:

Rather long .

Interesting but it could have been two hours shorter. ( And could almost everyone read in 1647 ? )

Good read!

A highly atmospheric historical drama about the witch trials in England, based on the practices of a true witch hunter in the mid 1600's.

Great Read

Well worth a read, clever and believable account of a chilling time in history showing how quickly human beings can turn against themselves. Excellent Narrator.

Brilliant

Just couldn't stop listening. Great research went into this book. Read beautifully . Best book I have listened to in ages.

Expertly researched!

This is a fantastic read if a somewhat slow burner. I was so glad I stayed with it as it is intensely compelling from half way through the book. Based heavily on true, if shameful, events in English history, The Witchfinders Sister is deeply moving and demonstrates the lack of justice available for women during the 17th Century.

However, this is not a historical tract but a novel and Beth Underdown doesn't fail in her duty to portray all the hallmarks necessary in hooking the reader in and telling a story whilst staying true to the historical research. Not easy to do but expertly accomplished.

The narrator, Lucy Brownhill, does a magnificent job in telling the story. I love her voice and could listen to it all day.

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Title: Murders for Sale

Author: Andre Norton, Grace Allen Hogarth

Narrator: Jewel Greenberg

Format: Unabridged

Length: 6 hrs and 36 mins

Language: English

Release date: 02-16-17

Publisher: Wildside Press LLC

Ratings: 4 of 5 out of 2 votes

Genres: Mysteries & Thrillers, Historical

Publisher's Summary:

When Fredericka Wing arrives in South Sutton, Massachusetts, a tiny New England town, it seems an ideal place for a working summer vacation. She plans on managing Miss Hartwell's bookstore while working on her own writing. She never dreamed she would find a body in a hammock in her own backyard. Someone brutally murdered Catherine Clay, an heir to the Sutton fortune. And more violence follows. Together with Peter Mohun, a professor at a local college, Fredericka sets out to discover the murderer's identity...and unravel the secrets of the wealthy and powerful Sutton family!

Murders for Sale - also published under the title Sneeze on Sunday - is one of science fiction writer Andre Norton's rare excursions into the mystery field.

Members Reviews:

Make a good movie!

The mystery was pretty good, but most of the characters were pretty flat. Not Norton's best; I think she was trying too hard to stay in Genre. You didn't really get to know much about the heroine and the hero didn't really come into focus for me. I could really see this as a period movie tho'--I think it would really rock!

I read this as it was recommended because it's a departure from Norton's Science Fiction works

I read this as it was recommended because it's a departure from Norton's Science Fiction works. It was an entertaining read.

This book is in the Andre Norton Mega-pack for 99Â.Why pay more?

This book is already included in the Andre Norton Mega-pack for 99Â. Why pay more? Caveat Emptor. (The other 14 books in the Mega-pack are all FREE to download from Gutenberg.org.)

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Title: The Locksmith's Daughter

Author: Karen Brooks

Narrator: Karen Brooks

Format: Unabridged

Length: 22 hrs and 27 mins

Language: English

Release date: 02-02-17

Publisher: Bolinda Publishing Pty Ltd

Ratings: 4 of 5 out of 12 votes

Genres: Mysteries & Thrillers, Historical

Publisher's Summary:

What if the key to your heart lies in your enemy's hands?

In a world where no one can be trusted and secrets are currency, one woman stands without fear.

Mallory Bright is the only daughter of London's master locksmith. For her there is no lock too elaborate, no secret too well kept. Sir Francis Walsingham, spymaster and protector of Queen Elizabeth - the last of the Tudor monarchs - and her realm, is quick to realise Mallory's talent and draws her into his world of intrigue, danger and deception. With her by his side, no scheme in England or abroad is safe from discovery, no plot secure.

But Mallory's loyalty wavers when she witnesses the execution of three Jesuit priests, a punishment that doesn't fit their crime. When Mallory discovers the identity of a Catholic spy and a conspiracy that threatens the kingdom, she has to make a choice - between her country and her heart.

Mallory, however, carries her own dark secrets and is about to learn those being kept from her - secrets that could destroy those she loves.

Once Sir Francis' greatest asset, Mallory is fast becoming his worst threat...and everyone knows there's only one way Sir Francis deals with those.

Members Reviews:

Spoilt by the ponderous narration

I thoroughly enjoyed Brooks' "The Brewer's Tale", but this narration was all earnestness and no light.

Can we have better female protagonists?

What would have made The Locksmith's Daughter better?

Mallory Bright is not in any way believable as she is set out in the story. She is supposed to be a smart woman who has been through a humiliating experience. I know there is some dispelling of belief for the story line, but this woman needs so much validation from her love interest it is honestly boring and a bit insulting as a female reader. This story assigns very modern beliefs about women to a historical context, so if Mallory is smart enough and skilled enough to be a "watcher" then don't make her whine and need endless reassurance and validation. As I have worked with victims of sexual violence as well, the way that is handled is also too much like a cheap romance novel. I was intrigued with the concept, but left entirely disappointed.

What could Karen Brooks have done to make this a more enjoyable book for you?

When writing scenes about intimacy it is very old fashioned to have a female character need that much validation before anything physical occurs. I felt sorry for the man in the book. If I had to reassure a woman that much I would have gone down to the brothel and have her write all her needs down so I could address them all together. Either that or I would have lost all interest.

Would you listen to another book narrated by Karen Brooks?

She needs to work on her male character and reading

What reaction did this book spark in you? Anger, sadness, disappointment?

Disappointment and I am a bit offended that this is still the way we portray women in books.

Any additional comments?

The concept was great. I would have kept the watcher bits and downplayed the love interest part. Could have been a series if it was done that way.

Good start but got predictable

Would you recommend this book to a friend? Why or why not?

Yes, to anyone who likes historic fiction, especially set in the Elizabethan era. There's plenty of detail.

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Title: Home Sweet Home

Subtitle: A Novel

Author: April Smith

Narrator: Cady McClain

Format: Unabridged

Length: 14 hrs and 10 mins

Language: English

Release date: 01-31-17

Publisher: Random House Audio

Ratings: 3 of 5 out of 6 votes

Genres: Mysteries & Thrillers, Historical

Publisher's Summary:

From the widely praised author of the FBI Special Agent Ana Grey series and A Star for Mrs. Blake, this riveting epic drama follows the Kusek family from New York City to America's heartland, where they are caught up in the panic of McCarthyism, a smear campaign, a sensational trial, and, ultimately, murder.

Calvin Kusek, a WWII pilot and attorney, and his wife, Betsy, escape the 1950s conformity of New York City to relocate to a close-knit town in South Dakota. They settle on a ranch and Betsy becomes a visiting nurse, befriending a quirky assortment of rural characters. Their children, Jo and her brother Lance, grow up caring for animals and riding rodeo. Life isn't easy, but it is full and rewarding. When a seat in the State Assembly becomes available, Cal jumps at the chance to repay the community and serves three popular terms.

Things change when Cal runs for the US Senate. The FBI investigates Betsy, and a youthful dalliance with the Communist Party surfaces to haunt the Kuseks. Mass hysteria takes over, inflamed by Cal's political enemies. Driven by fear and hate, their neighbors turn, condemning them as enemies and spies. The American Dream falls apart overnight as the Kuseks try to protect their children from the nightmare that follows. The family is vindicated in a successful libel lawsuit, but the story doesn't end there: years later, Lance Kusek and his wife and son are brutally attacked, and the mystery then unfolds as to who committed this coldblooded murder, and are they related to the stunning events of decades earlier?

Editorial Reviews:

"[In] Smith's terrific new novel....[she] illuminates the force of McCarthyism-generated fear in the Midwest and effectively personalizes it through the persecution the Kusak family endures for their liberal beliefs. The author also skillfully ties together the two time periods, avoiding melodrama." (Publishers Weekly)

Critic Reviews:

"Smith's second historical novel delves into the McCarthy era and how one family is swept up in its fanaticism....[She] perceptively brings this dark period in US history to light in her dramatic family saga." (Deborah Donovan, Booklist)

"With an upbeat narration, Cady McClain sets the tone for this timely look at a shameful episode in American history, the McCarthy era.... The combination of political ignorance and religious bigotry, delivered intelligently by McClain, makes for un-put-down-able listening." (AudioFile)

Members Reviews:

If you are looking true history this is not the book for you

As a native of Rapid City and having friends who live in the areas talked about in the book I was appalled at what she touted as history. Our hospital, for which I work, is just now getting an underground parking structure. The missiles were not hated as indicated but seen as a revenue generator. The wind does not blow all the time. There is so much wrong that I would have to write a book. If you want to write a story that does not even come close to resembling a town then just make up a name.