Get the Most Popular Audiobooks in Mysteries & Thrillers, Modern Detective Popular Authors

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Title: Dirt

Author: Stuart Woods

Narrator: Tony Roberts

Format: Abridged

Length: 3 hrs and 3 mins

Language: English

Release date: 12-16-99

Publisher: HarperAudio

Ratings: 4 of 5 out of 207 votes

Genres: Mysteries & Thrillers, Modern Detective

Publisher's Summary:

Feared and disliked for both her poison pen and ice queen persona, bi-coastal gossip columnist Amanda Dart finds the tables have turned. The unwitting victim of an anonymous gossipmonger who is faxing to national opinion makers an outrageous scandal sheet revealing the details of her on-going indiscretions with a nationally known takeover artist, Amanda enlists the help of New York lawyer and investigator Stone Barrington to learn the identity of the faxer. Everybody is a suspect in the world of tabloid journalism. As the faxes grow more scathing and begin to expose the peccadilloes of not only Amanda but other members of the gossip community, Barrington winds up with more leads than he can handle, and an employer who is about to take matters dangerously into her own hands. The world of gossip is turned on its head. It becomes clear to Stone that even the most respected members of the social scene will stop at nothing, even murder, to clear their names.

Irresistible as only good gossip can be, Dirt is a mesmerizing tale of betrayal and murder set against a backdrop of the fast-paced Manhattan tabloid business; it is filled with the twists and turns that have made Stuart Woods' novels international hits.

Members Reviews:

I **HATE** when audiobooks are abridged!

I'm working my way through all of the Stone Barrington novels and I was so disappointed to find this one was only available in abridged form. I never buy an abridged version if I can avoid it because it makes me feel like I'm missing out on important details (or that someone else is taking the liberty of deciding for me what are the important details I should know). Overall it was a great story, but I'd have rather had it in its original form - as the author wrote it!

Abridged Version

Would you try another book from Stuart Woods and/or Tony Roberts?

Yes

What do you think your next listen will be?

Another author for the time being.

What aspect of Tony Robertss performance would you have changed?

I have not heard many books with Tony's work.

Do you think Dirt needs a follow-up book? Why or why not?

No, there is enough trashy reporters and negative media types... there doesn't need to be more written about them...

Any additional comments?

To the real reason why I am writing... The abridged version of the book has cut so much from the story line... The try mystery is in the details that surround the characters. The here is very little to know about the other characters.... I do not wish to purchase any more for the "short" stories from this author.

5 Stars

Anything written by this man is a "Sure Thing". I just wish audible would get all of his books! He's an amazing author!

third time I've listened to this story

a good second story for stone and Stuart Woods going to try and work through all Barrington novels as the characters seem to develop

Abridged is for the birds

Details juicy tid bits... Too short for an audio book. Disappointed. I know this is an early book but ugh.

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Title: Decked

Subtitle: Regan Reilly Mystery Series, Book 1

Author: Carol Higgins Clark

Narrator: Mary Higgins Clark

Format: Abridged

Length: 3 hrs and 3 mins

Language: English

Release date: 03-18-98

Publisher: Phoenix Books

Ratings: 3 of 5 out of 66 votes

Genres: Mysteries & Thrillers, Modern Detective

Publisher's Summary:

When Athena disappeared from St. Polycarp's College at Oxford, her friends assumed she had run away - to hide from her overbearing, wealthy Greek family, or even to marry some unacceptable young man. To their shock, they find out at their 10-year reunion that her body has been discovered in an excavation. Private investigator Regan Reilly, Athena's former college roommate, is determined to track down her friend's killer. Despite a 10-year-old trail, she uncovers a host of eccentric and uncooperative suspects. A down-to-earth, likable heroine, a wonderful cast of eclectic characters, and a suspense-laden plot add up to an impressive first novel for Carol Higgins Clark.

Copyright ©1992 by Carol Higgins Clark; Copyright (P)1992 by Dove Audio, Inc.

Members Reviews:

No disrespect intended

The story was ok, not one of the best by the author. But then my lukewarm feelings for the book may be due to the narration.

I do not mean any disrespect, Mary Higgins Clark is a talented author, but ....please don't have her narrate any more books!

I've listened to hundreds of audio books and only been completely turned off by the narration on three of those, so I'm not that hard to please.

The narration on this book grated so severely on my nerves that I almost could not listen to it. I made it through, but it was actually a relief to get to the end of the story.

Not everyone has the talent to be a respected author, but not everyone has the talent to be a great voice over. Please respect a voice over's talent and hard work and don't narrate just because you are an author. If you must do so, then please take some more, many more, voice over classes before trying it again.

First novel effort

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

No, not compelling/

How could the performance have been better?

Another narrator - please don't let Mary Higgins Clark narrate - keep her at the typewriter!

Could you see Decked being made into a movie or a TV series? Who should the stars be?

No

Any additional comments?

Was expecting better.

Great Mystery Writer

Really enjoyed my first book by Carol Higgins Clark, and the first in the series with Regan Reilly. I definitely plan on reading or listening to the rest of the series. Great suspense and intrigue with enjoyable characters.

Mother's Coat Tails

Someone needs to tell this lady she can't write. Certainly can't hold a candle to her mother.

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Title: Time to Get Even

Subtitle: A Butterworth Mystery, Book 4

Author: Gillian Larkin

Narrator: Sangita Chauhan

Format: Unabridged

Length: 1 hr and 41 mins

Language: English

Release date: 04-14-17

Publisher: Gillian Rogerson

Ratings: 3.5 of 5 out of 3 votes

Genres: Mysteries & Thrillers, Modern Detective

Publisher's Summary:

Retired widows, Connie and Sable Butterworth, have set up a private investigating business. Their fourth case sees them dealing with a local celebrity.

Steven Stevens is the presenter of a consumer rights program. He is known for his persistence and dedication as he tracks down wrongdoers who have been tricking the public. His work has gained him many fans - and many enemies.

Steven asks Connie and Sable to help him with his own problem. He is being blackmailed. Someone knows about his hidden past, and they're threatening to expose him. The threats have become more sinister, and now Steven's life is at risk.

Connie and Sable begin their investigation and soon discover there is more than one suspect.

Members Reviews:

All that glitters.

Steven Stevens is an uncaped crusader and TV star trying to bring unscrupulous predators of the innocent to heel. So why would he then require the services of the Butterworth sisters? In a case where gold may not be the only thing that glitters Connie and Sable is soon on the tracks of a blackmailer.

It is amazing how Gillian can pack into a short story that other writers may take a full novel to do. I simply love these Butterworth series shorts.

Another great short story mystery, great read right before bed!

Time To Get Even (A Butterworth Mystery Book 4) by Gillian Larkin is another great short story mystery! Butterworth Mystery Books have two older women who are friends going into the PI business and actually doing well despite there age and lack of law experience. Common sense and watching tv crime shows, lol, helps them a lot. It is filled with a great plot, good mystery, humor, and great characters. Always a great story with this writer.

... this is the only time I've been kind of disappointed because I followed the story closely thinking I missed ...

This story is about Steven Stevens a crusader for consumer rights being threatened and him having a big secret terrifies him to where he even hide disguises himself so that no one will know he's talking to the Butterworth Private Eyes this is the only time I've been kind of disappointed because I followed the story closely thinking I missed something but in this one there really wasn't they a murderer among the main characters it was just it was a good read but not what I expected from you.

Wonderful, Light-Hearted Mystery

I love Gillian Larkin and everything she writes! A new book is cause for celebration and always puts a smile on my face. The Butterworth mysteries are especially enjoyable and Connie and Sable will definitely capture your heart. The mystery is always intriguing and light-hearted and will bring you several hours of entertainment, just like watching an episode of your favorite old mystery show.

Another Page Turner

When I saw that Gillian Larkin had written a new Butterworth mystery I dropped everything to read it. Love Sable and Connie and the way they solve their cases. I like the short story format because I can read in one sitting.

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Title: Agatha Raisin and the Fairies of Fryfam

Subtitle: Agatha Raisin, Book 10

Author: M.C. Beaton

Narrator: Penelope Keith

Format: Unabridged

Length: 5 hrs and 56 mins

Language: English

Release date: 07-26-12

Publisher: Audible Studios

Ratings: 4 of 5 out of 9 votes

Genres: Mysteries & Thrillers, Modern Detective

Publisher's Summary:

Feeling jilted and cross, Agatha follows a fortune-teller's advice and rents a cottage in the pretty village of Fryfam, where she hopes good fortune and true love will come chasing after her for a change. Unfortunately, her romantic notions are soon dispelled by the strange goings-on in the village. What are those strange lights in Agatha's back garden? Who is stealing paintings and pottery? And who murdered the local squire?

Agatha's nose for trouble leads her into a maelstrom of jealousy, blackmail and dangerous liaisons - and a murderer who plans to keep irrepressible Agatha permanently in Fryfam - as a resident corpse!

Members Reviews:

Jolly good yarn

Enjoyed the story, kept us guessing. Totally non PC and great fun. A shame the epilogue was so short though.

Great books

Penelope Keith is my absolutely favourite narrator. She brings books and characters alive. so talented.

Well written and very well read

What did you like most about Agatha Raisin and the Fairies of Fryfam?

Again good easy listening, the stories are a nice length. These books are not here to challenge you, they are for enjoyment and entertainment.

What did you like best about this story?

Quick, good characters, over-ridding story arch between Agatha and James....

What about Penelope Keiths performance did you like?

Professional, and good narration.

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

No, I'm not good at that!

Light comedy drama

Penelope Keith brings this story to life. Her command of different voices makes the story very entertaining and easy listening.

Does it for me

I love this book - twists, turns, intrigues. And I am interested in the characters. Great!

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Title: Scottsdale Heat

Subtitle: Laura Black Mysteries, Book 1

Author: B A Trimmer

Narrator: Karen Krause

Format: Unabridged

Length: 9 hrs and 1 min

Language: English

Release date: 02-07-17

Publisher: Saguaro Sky Media Co.

Ratings: 4 of 5 out of 27 votes

Genres: Mysteries & Thrillers, Modern Detective

Publisher's Summary:

In her first thrilling romantic adventure, Laura Black is an investigator for a highly successful Scottsdale law firm run by slightly shady Lenny Shapiro. Shes hot on the trail of con-man Alexander Sternwood, the missing grandson of wealthy widow, Muffy Sternwood. It sounded like an easy case, at least until she was kidnapped by a couple of upset Russian hit-men named Boris and Ivan, then by two seriously psychotic brothers called Smith and Jones, then finally by Tough Tony DiCenzo, head of the largest crime family in Scottsdale. To top it off, shes found a dead body that seems to be a message directed toward her. Now, with the help of ex-cop Gina Rondinelli, a stripper named Danica, and her best friend Sophie, Laura needs to make sure that a slightly illegal international jewel sale goes smoothly, or else. All of this pales in comparison, though, with an even greater danger. Laura has decided that now would be the perfect time to get back together with her old boyfriend Jackson Reno, who just happens to be a Scottsdale detective. The only hitch in her plans for romance is Maximilian, a gorgeous crime lieutenant who has his sights set on Laura, a feeling that she cant help but return. Craziness, romance, and more than a little danger are in store when Laura Black and her Scottsdale friends are on the case.

Members Reviews:

Good fun!

kidnapping, PI, theft, suspense, lol-humor

Take three hilarious and hot women working for a connected lawyer add a wealthy woman with a fool of a grandson, a hot cop, a mob boss, and a dead body or two, and you have this really fun read! Lots of action, suspense, gunshots, and lustful thoughts, but no erotica. A really fun read!

Karen Krause gives an interesting audio interpretation.

Fast paced and lots of fun!

Would you listen to Scottsdale Heat again? Why?

I've read the author's Scottsdale stories before and really love them. They are light hearted, humorous, and fun. They've always reminded me of Stephanie Plumb in the way Laura gets into trouble but always manages to come out on top. I like the humor in the books. It goes from subtle to laugh out loud. I can't wait until the next one comes out.

What did you like best about this story?

At its heart, these are stories of the friendship between Laura, Sophie, Gina, and the people around them. They each approach life in different ways, but each is a good person and acts to bring out the best in each other. Plus, Sophie is hilarious. She seems to have no filter and whatever goes into her head comes right back out her mouth. She's the best part of the books for me. It good to read a story about three modern women trying to find love and survive in Scottsdale.

What about Karen Krauses performance did you like?

This my first time listening to Karen Krause's narration. I love the way she brings out each characters personalities. I'll definitely go through her catalogue and find other stories she's read.

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

I like that the book was fast paced but not overly deep.

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Title: Body of Lies

Author: Iris Johansen

Narrator: Cristine McMurdo-Wallis

Format: Unabridged

Length: 10 hrs and 11 mins

Language: English

Release date: 11-01-13

Publisher: Recorded Books

Ratings: 4.5 of 5 out of 49 votes

Genres: Mysteries & Thrillers, Modern Detective

Publisher's Summary:

Eve Duncan became a forensic sculptor after the disappearance of her daughter Bonnie, whose remains were discovered...yet unrecognizable. Driven by a need to liberate innocence from the shroud of death, she obsesses over recreating the likenesses of faceless, decomposed murder victims, using only their bare skulls as a guide.

Fleeing to Baton Rouge to take on the project of identifying a skeleton, Eve is forced to work in secrecy, given only the sketchiest of information, and she cant help but wonder if the high-level security that surrounds her is meant to protect her ... or imprison her.

Members Reviews:

issues

skipped multiple times. man's voice popped in saying disc 9. good story and voice was much better than book 3.

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Title: Murder, She Wrote: A Vote for Murder

Author: Jessica Fletcher, Donald Bain

Narrator: Cynthia Darlow

Format: Unabridged

Length: 7 hrs and 34 mins

Language: English

Release date: 11-01-10

Publisher: Blackstone Audio, Inc.

Ratings: 4.5 of 5 out of 95 votes

Genres: Mysteries & Thrillers, Modern Detective

Publisher's Summary:

Jessica's in Washington, D.C., to support a senator's new literacy initiative. The week-long literacy event includes a visit to the White House to meet the president and a lavish party or two.

But during one affair at the senator's home in Virginia, Jessica discovers the dark side of politics. At the foot of a rickety staircase, she finds the body of the senator's chief of staff - and he has taken a permanent recess. Her search for culprits leads her from the shady halls of the Library of Congress to the D.C. social scene, and even the FBI.

Members Reviews:

Very enjoyable!

If you like the show "Murder She Wrote", then this book will not let you down. The book and the performed were well done, I enjoyed it immensely.

So-so

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

No, it's not among the best in the series. I enjoyed the book overall. I got the audio version. The narrator did a really good job in conveying the story. Some of her accents were a bit similar between the characters, but there are only so many ways we can change our voices, and with the number of characters, I was fine with it.

*Possible Spoiler* There was a plot twist that was unnecessary, as it didn't do much to move the story forward. It may have been to appease the 'powers that be' to include info about someone's sexual orientation, but I didn't find that detail suspenseful, useful to the story or even interesting. The main character (Jessica Fletcher) was almost obsessed with it when it was revealed, and that made the latter part of the book a bit off-putting and slow for me.

With regard to the rest of the story: It was good, but not as good of a mystery as I'd expected given the overall premise of the story. There were characters that served nearly no purpose, as we were introduced to them and didn't really hear from them again until the end when the killer would be revealed. There were pieces of evidence that could have done more to improve the story's movement and help the reader/listener join in on the sleuthing that wasn't introduced until really late in the story. It was almost like the clues were an afterthought. Finally, why was Seth there/George leave? My guess was to set things up for another book, but George came back, so...

What was the most interesting aspect of this story? The least interesting?

Most interesting: The first part when the murder took place.

Least interesting: Plot twist that dragged on and didn't help the story.

What about Cynthia Darlows performance did you like?

The narrator did a really good job in conveying the story. Some of her accents were a bit similar between the characters, but there are only so many ways we can change our voices, and with the number of characters, I was fine with it.

Do you think Murder, She Wrote: A Vote for Murder needs a follow-up book? Why or why not?

No! Although there were strings hanging loose, the book started to lose its way with the plot twist. Jessica was so obsessed with this person's sexual orientation, it became rather off-putting.

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Title: Slipknot

Subtitle: California Corwin P. I. Mystery Series, Book 3

Author: D. D. VanDyke

Narrator: Francesca Townes

Format: Unabridged

Length: 6 hrs and 47 mins

Language: English

Release date: 12-31-15

Publisher: David VanDyke Author

Ratings: 4.5 of 5 out of 16 votes

Genres: Mysteries & Thrillers, Modern Detective

Publisher's Summary:

After a woman is found dead in Cal Corwin's car, and police detectives come knocking at her door, the case turns far more personal than it first seemed. As the ghosts of past cases rear their ugly heads, not only must she find out who murdered the victim, but why. Teasing the answers out soon reveals the disturbing question: Who is the hunter, and who hunted?

Slipknot is Book Three of the Cal Corwin mystery series. Set against the rich backdrop of the San Francisco Bay Area, Cal Corwin novels brim with intrigue and fully fleshed characters from cops and criminals to hit men, an oddball family, and unexpected allies.

The California Corwin P. I. Mystery Series:

Members Reviews:

The New is Fading

In the introductory novella in this series I found a chick I could totally get behind. She was a tough, touchy, a little trashy, and a definite badass. Unfortunately the series has gone lame and the repetitive plots are gotten seriously tired. The best new part of Cal in this book is that she's gone back to smoking; with today's attitudes writers seem to want to ignore that about twenty percent of the nation does smoke. It's possible that with the drama in the little mountain town seeming to be done Cal Corwin can hopefully stay in her natural urban setting and begin to get past not being a cop. I so want to like this series but unless the author comes up with a different plot and a main character that begins to grow I'll be giving up on her.

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Title: Calendar of Crime

Author: Ellery Queen

Narrator: Traber Burns

Format: Unabridged

Length: 9 hrs and 39 mins

Language: English

Release date: 11-19-15

Publisher: Blackstone Audio, Inc.

Ratings: 4 of 5 out of 13 votes

Genres: Mysteries & Thrillers, Modern Detective

Publisher's Summary:

In the merry month of May, Ellery Queen made a trek to Gettysburg to witness an annual celebration - and an annual murder. February found the ingenious Ellery locked in a furious battle of wits with a dead US president. These are but two of the 12 appointments with crime that make up Queen's baffling calendar of conundrums. Each elegant enigma ticks off all the surprise and excitement that have made Queen the dean of American detective fiction.

Stories include: "The Inner Circle," "The President's Half Dime", "The Ides of Michael Magoon", "The Emperor's Dice", "The Gettysburg Bugle", "The Medical Finger", "The Fallen Angel", "The Needle's Eye", "The Three Rs", "The Dead Cat", "The Telltale Bottle", and "The Dauphin's Doll".

Members Reviews:

Fantastic

Similar to LeBlanc's Eight Strokes of the Cloick, this is a great collection of twelve mystetries--one for each month. A fun listen with some challenging and other easy stories.

A crime for each month...

Overall, a pretty good collection of short stories with more hits than misses. Each story is set during a different month, beginning with January, and several of them deal with holidays. Traber Burns is pretty good at narrating Queen.

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Title: I Will Have Vengeance

Subtitle: Commissario Ricciardi, Book 1

Author: Maurizio de Giovanni

Narrator: Grover Gardner

Format: Unabridged

Length: 6 hrs and 38 mins

Language: English

Release date: 04-21-15

Publisher: Blackstone Audio, Inc.

Ratings: 4 of 5 out of 22 votes

Genres: Mysteries & Thrillers, Modern Detective

Publisher's Summary:

Naples, 1931. A bitter wind stalks the city streets, and murder lies at its chilled heart. When Maestro Vezzi, one of the world's greatest tenors, is found brutally murdered in his dressing room at Naples' famous San Carlo theater, the enigmatic and aloof Commissario Ricciardi is called to investigate. Arrogant and bad-tempered, Vezzi was hated by many. But with the livelihoods of the opera at stake, who would have committed such a callous act?

Ricciardi and his loyal colleague Maione are determined to discover the truth, but Ricciardi carries a secret of his own. Will it help him solve this murder?

Members Reviews:

Little right, a Lot Wrong

First mistake was buying three by the same author before listening to one. The second was since I had run out of everything by Donna Leon and starting to feel homesick for her Italy, the setting appealed. In comparison it felt like the author was using her template and filling in the blanks with a poorly crafted pen.

You're not going to fall into like with this character. Or any of the characters. The story was too contrived throughout and poorly done at that. Some dialogue very fast and choppy, sounding as if the reader did so simply to make another voice. Ever too much crystal balling.

If I'd purchased these as hard copies I would return the other two without taking out of the bag.

Compelling start to mystery series set in 1939s Italy

I was at first put off by the detective's apparent ability to "see" dead people, but the author primarily uses this as a metaphor for empathetic observation of the cruel inequities existing in fascist 1930s Naples. Good writing and strong characterizations in a dramatic setting. Will download the second book in this series.

series review: very good noir; a bit unusual

The 7 books in the series are good- some are very good. i have my quibbles and complaints about a couple of 'em (i.e. the author intentionally misleads) but mystery novels often have those issues.

the books also bring a nice flavor of naples.

grover gardner is great as always--yes, his italian is a bit off...but an excellent narrator.