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Title: Kissing the Gunner's Daughter

Subtitle: A Chief Inspector Wexford Mystery, Book 15 (Unabridged)

Author: Ruth Rendell

Narrator: Robin Bailey

Format: Unabridged

Length: 11 hrs and 59 mins

Language: English

Release date: 05-04-09

Publisher: Audible Studios

Ratings: 4 of 5 out of 102 votes

Genres: Mysteries & Thrillers, Modern Detective

Publisher's Summary:

The massacre at Tancred House seems at first to be the work of a burglar, panicked into killing. But Chief Inspector Wexford believes there are links with the murder of a Kingsmarkham detective some ten months earlier.

©2009 Ruth Rendell; (P)2009 BBC Audiobooks Ltd

Members Reviews:

One of Rendell's Best

At this point I have read over half of the novels in the Wexford series. This is a superb addition - perhaps the best in the series.

Even better when read aloud

I love Ruth Rendell, and read this many years ago. I downloaded it for a long journey, expecting just to listen to it as a kind of background noise - instead I was transfixed! Wonderful!

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Title: The Front

Author: Patricia Cornwell

Narrator: Kate Reading

Format: Unabridged

Length: 4 hrs and 35 mins

Language: English

Release date: 04-06-09

Publisher: Penguin Audio

Ratings: 3.5 of 5 out of 77 votes

Genres: Mysteries & Thrillers, Modern Detective

Publisher's Summary:

Garano is very skeptical, because he knows that Watertown is also the home base for a loose association of municipal police departments called the Front, set up in order that they don't have to be so dependent on the state - much to Lamont's anger. He senses a much deeper agenda here - but he has no idea just how deep it goes. In the days that follow, he'll find that Lamont's task, and the places it leads him, will resemble a house of mirrors - everywhere he turns, he's not quite sure if what he's seeing is true.

This is the master writing at the absolute top of her game. You will never guess what lies behind The Front.

Members Reviews:

Weak and Lackadaisical Effort Sure to Disappoint

As solid as is Kate Reading's narration, this book is an implausible and uninteresting outing. I'm not sure why Patricia Cornwell thought that is was okay to publish this--perhaps just capitalizing upon the strength of her name. Anyone expecting a Scarpetta-esque potboiler will be sorely disappointed. At least it's relatively short in length.

The Front

The book itself was pretty good. It was my first Patricia Cornwell book. However, I didn't much care for the reader. I may purchase more Cornwell novels as long as it is read by someone else.

the worse

This book wasnt for you, but who do you think might enjoy it more?

this was the worse Patricia Cornwell book I have ever read/listen to. Always waiting for the good part and then it was over. Couldn't believe it. What a waste of money and time.

What was most disappointing about Patricia Cornwells story?

the story was dumb and boring

How could the performance have been better?

The voice was nice not a problem there.

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

disappointment - money NOT WELL SPENT!!!!

Disappointed, confused. Totally not Patricia C

very disappointed. Not Patricia Cornwell 's usual gripping story. Confusing story line. Hard to keep up with.

Awful

Don't bother. Hard to follow - convoluted. Cornwall has lost her edge. Scarpetta series is just as bad.

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Title: The Drowning Man

Author: Margaret Coel

Narrator: Andrea Bates

Format: Unabridged

Length: 11 hrs and 6 mins

Language: English

Release date: 10-29-08

Publisher: Books In Motion

Ratings: 4.5 of 5 out of 37 votes

Genres: Mysteries & Thrillers, Modern Detective

Publisher's Summary:

Travis Birdsong sits in prison for killing his partner in the crime. He has always maintained his innocence in the death and has never been tried for stealing the petroglyph. Attorney Vicki Holden decides to take the case, much to the chagrin of her law partner and lover Adam Lone Eagle and the Wind River Reservation tribes. Vicki is convinced that Travis must be innocent because another petroglyph has been stolen out of the canyon. She is even more convinced after the thieves contact the mission priest, Father John O'Malley, in order to get the tribes to buy the artifact back.

As Father John tries to get the petroglyph back and Vicki tries to prove Travis is innocent, the two situations collide.

Members Reviews:

Excellent story, Poor narration

This performance did not do justice to a great story. The reader repeatedly mispronounced every place name in the book: Washakie, Ethete, Popo Agie, Dubois. The author effectively used locale to set scenes and verify the setting which was paramount to the storyline. The narrator should have done her homework.

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Title: The Girl With Braided Hair

Author: Margaret Coel

Narrator: Andrea Bates

Format: Unabridged

Length: 9 hrs and 58 mins

Language: English

Release date: 10-29-08

Publisher: Books In Motion

Ratings: 4 of 5 out of 41 votes

Genres: Mysteries & Thrillers, Modern Detective

Publisher's Summary:

Arapaho attorney Vicky Holden and Father John O'Malley are determined to find the identity of the forgotten woman and see that she is laid to rest in the traditional Arapaho Way. Their search leads them into the 1970s and the dark underbelly of an organization that had spoken out on behalf of Indian rights. They soon run into a wall of silence. No one wants to talk about a time when many crimes, including murder, went unsolved. No one wants to admit the part they may have played, or the guilt they may still carry. No one wants to remember a young woman accused of being a snitch.

As the life and death of the woman begin to come into view, Vicky and Father John realize that the killer who has gotten away with murder for more than 30 years is still on the reservation and that they are about to be his next victims.

Members Reviews:

oh dear, different narrator

What did you like best about The Girl With Braided Hair? What did you like least?

gosh ....a beloved series, but this narrator's take on the characters, especially the priest father john, is really jarring...and she sings, the narrator...i believe at the one hour point she has let her voice soar at least five times...again, since this is supposed to be a native american woman, her admittedly lovely soprano voice is...jarring. i was too comfy with the other voices, i guess, which just shows how crucial narration is...a wonderful series not to be missed and i'm feeling crotchety because i really wanted to escape into this story so take me with a grain of salt...

Who would you have cast as narrator instead of Andrea Bates?

whoever narrated the rest of the series

Could you see The Girl With Braided Hair being made into a movie or a TV series? Who should the stars be?

oh this is the silliest damn reviewing format....done!

Excellent story, poor delivery

This reader is obviously not familiar with locale or mysteries. Not a romance. Most distressing.

An evenly paced plot.

Margaret Coel, always a good read. No fail fiction!! Forward and backward in time, without confusion.

not pleasant

Way too much detail and repetition. The narrator is awful. She put emphasis in the wrong places, etc. Probably a good story but, hard to finish.

Another great one!

Margaret Cole delivers a fascinating glimpse into a period of American history that few people are familiar with. And we are left wondering about the future of thee Mission!

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Title: Bleeding Hearts

Subtitle: A China Bayles Mystery

Author: Susan Wittig Albert

Narrator: Julia Gibson

Format: Unabridged

Length: 10 hrs and 53 mins

Language: English

Release date: 10-24-08

Publisher: Recorded Books

Ratings: 4 of 5 out of 37 votes

Genres: Mysteries & Thrillers, Modern Detective

Publisher's Summary:

The high-school principal asks China to secretly investigate the popular football coach who led the Panthers to six state championships. Soon after China confirms the coach's predilection for teenage girls, one of his victims turns up dead, and suspicion falls upon the lecherous coach.

Critic Reviews:

"Albert's characterization is strong - China delights as ever." (Publishers Weekly)

Members Reviews:

Great mixture of characters and plot

I have only read several of the China Bayles mysteries prior to this one, but enough to know who the characters are and remember I enjoy them. (I prefer reading series in order, just haven't with this one). But, even as a stand alone, this book was really good.

I think Susan Wittig Albert gets the mix/balance of characters--and their side stories and plot lines-- just right. This book was a little slow getting set up, but once it was into the story I really didn't want to stop listening.

Basically, the town's coach, who is loved and respected by everybody, has an ugly dark side. And this leads to his murder. China is brought into the story from several directions--but it all gets pulled together masterfully. Additionally, as a sub plot, she is invited to read letters that involve her (now deceased) father, given to her by a man she knew when younger, but is now shocked to learn of their true relationship. It would appear that this plot will be extended into the next book, as it opened a door to further development.

This was a great listen--I think, among cozy mysteries, that this series is one of the best. I believe the narrator is okay, but sometimes felt the southern accent was a bit heavy. But that's my taste. I still highly recommend this book!

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Title: 7th Heaven

Subtitle: The Women's Murder Club

Author: James Patterson, Maxine Paetro

Narrator: Carolyn McCormick

Format: Abridged

Length: 6 hrs and 24 mins

Language: English

Release date: 06-06-08

Publisher: Hachette Audio

Ratings: 4.5 of 5 out of 106 votes

Genres: Mysteries & Thrillers, Modern Detective

Publisher's Summary:

As fire after fire consumes couples in wealthy, comfortable homes, Lindsay and the Murder Club must race to find the arsonists responsible and get to the bottom of Michael Campion's disappearance. But suddenly the fires are raging too close to home.

Frightened for her life and torn between two men, Lindsay must find a way to solve the most daunting dilemmas she's ever faced - at work and at home.

Critic Reviews:

"In true Patterson style, the reader is privy to Lindsay's thoughts as well as the killers', ratcheting up the suspense an extra notch. Fans won't be disappointed with the twist at the end that not even Lindsay sees coming." (Publishers Weekly)

Members Reviews:

too complicated

hard to follow, too many sub plots, little flat, ok for long drive but wouldn't listen again.

Not to be forgotten.

I am trying to go back and write reviews for those books that I neglected. I gave this book a four star because I could not remember the results of both stories within the book and had to go back and reread the end. Still that says a lot for a book that I read over a yr. ago with many, many books in between then and now. Remembering both stories and only forgetting the ending of one gives a thumbs up for any book recommendation.

7th Heaven contains the short chapters that Mr. Patterson is known for and makes for easy/fast reading. Love that about his books. It's still a good mystery. If you're a James Patterson fan you won't be disappointed because this book contains his usual twist and turns after coming out of the shoot with action to capture your interest.

Not the best

The quality of WMC is slipping. I continue to listen in hopes that it will improve AND I want to know what happens to Lindsay. I suggest that Patterson should take more time on each book instead of cranking out book after book. Books 1 and 4 were super thrillers....wish the others were that good.

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Title: Death of a Charming Man

Subtitle: A Hamish Macbeth Mystery

Author: M. C. Beaton

Narrator: Davina Porter

Format: Unabridged

Length: 6 hrs and 29 mins

Language: English

Release date: 04-23-08

Publisher: Recorded Books

Ratings: 4 of 5 out of 174 votes

Genres: Mysteries & Thrillers, Modern Detective

Publisher's Summary:

When the dashing Peter Hynd arrives in the backwater village of Drim, the local matrons overflow the town's only fitness class, and buy out the local store's hair coloring. Hamish isn't surprised that Hynd is soon missing, and a body has been found...until he finds the corpse is not the charming man he expects.

Can Macbeth find the murderer and the missing man, or will the dour, crablike men of Drim keep their secrets and commit the perfect crime?

Critic Reviews:

Beaton's low-key police procedural [offers] an intimate look at life in a small Scottish village, striking insights into human nature, carefully detailed, highly accurate descriptions of police work, splendid dry humor, and a story that's as satisfying as a cozy cup of tea. (

Booklist)

Members Reviews:

How's that engagement going?

This was a predictable-in-a-good-way Hamish Macbeth mystery and Beaton handled the engagement with Priscilla well. I read a later book first, so never knew the story of how they got together and then didn't and both parts of the story were funny and perceptive.

I love listening to these stories between more weighty books. They are like a lighter 'cleanse the palate' sherbet course in the midst of a banquet. After a more intense book, I often don't know which direction to take next, but after a few hours with the residents of Loch Dubh, I'm all set!

Wrong narrator

The story as all Hamish McBeth is grand; but the narration was poorly done. What were they thinking to have a woman narrator for a male character. It was hard to keep the characters straight as the voices did not change enough for each one and were sometimes mixed up. Love the books; but not the narration. Luckily the next one is back to Shawn who does a splendid job.

Possibly the best Hamish Macbeth yet!

There are so many interesting, unusual, and quirky relationship things going on in this story, plus the action takes place in both Highland Scotland and a bit in London, and there is a major realization and resolution in the Hamish-Priscilla relationship, and lots of people get just what they deserve AND even though I had listened to several books that come after BEFORE I listened to this one , and I knew the gist of the story, it was not ruined one tiny bit. The way the characters and events unfold and the excellent narration made this one hard to stop listening to. Also, there is humor and irony and absurdity that made me gasp and laugh out loud. I have enjoyed all the HM books, but I realized from this particular book that a narrator's value is not just in bringing the characters to life, but it is also to give the correct progress and momentum to the entire story. Somehow, the portrayals by Davina Porter subtly changed as the action advanced and lent more reality to everything happening. I can't put it into words, but the narration put this story far above all the others I have listened to so far! HIGHLY recommended!!!

Another Great Story!

Another great Hamish Macbeth tale! If only Hamish would give up on Priscilla and find another lady love! Keep the stories coming, M.C.!

It's Hamish Macbeth to the rescue again!

Lose yourself in the charming village of Lochdubh as you accompany Police Constable Hamish Macbeth as he takes care of his charges and his duties.

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Title: Double Cross

Author: James Patterson

Narrator: Peter J. Fernandez, Michael Stuhlbarg

Format: Abridged

Length: 6 hrs and 16 mins

Language: English

Release date: 11-13-07

Publisher: Hachette Audio

Ratings: 4 of 5 out of 52 votes

Genres: Mysteries & Thrillers, Modern Detective

Publisher's Summary:

There's only one thing Alex knows: the killer adores an audience. As victims are made into gruesome spectacles citywide, inducing a media hysteria, it becomes clear to Alex that the man he's after is a genius of terror - and he's after fame. The killer has the whole city by its strings. And he'll stop at nothing to become the most terrifying star that Washington, D.C., has ever seen.

Members Reviews:

Another winner!

Patterson is a master of this genre. His characters are creepy and his plots are very interesting. I think he was a bit ambitious in trying to bring in two serial killers in this book and in taking the plot in so many directions almost simultaneously, however he somehow pulls it together. Though I would have preferred he explain more about the why's, it's still an interesting romp with one of the best super-hero detective/therapists around - the famous Alex Cross.

Too much like a movie

Bottom line... the details are too unlikely to happen even in today's society... If you like murder/crime books and just want to be entertained then you may like it. I like books and movies but I consider reading (or listening to a book) a little more of an intellectual experience than watching a movie and for that reason I hold a book up to a slightly higher standard. The Overlook by Connelly is a better read, just as entertaining without having to dumb yourself down to get into it.

A Good Book

I find Patterson books to be a bit short for my taste and predictable. It does not mean that stories are not good, it is just that there are no surprises and suspense in my opinion. Overall it is still a good book.

Excellent Read

Another great read from Patterson. Rather short, though.

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Title: In for the Kill

Author: John Lutz

Narrator: Scott Brick

Format: Unabridged

Length: 13 hrs and 48 mins

Language: English

Release date: 11-06-07

Publisher: Books on Tape

Ratings: 4 of 5 out of 496 votes

Genres: Mysteries & Thrillers, Modern Detective

Publisher's Summary:

An invitation written in blood...A madman is stalking women in the city. By the time his victims are found, they've been dismembered with careful precision, their limbs stacked into a gruesome pyramid and completely cleansed of every last drop of blood.

To catch a killer - or die next...Accustomed to working on the most grisly homicides, detective Frank Quinn's nerves don't rattle easily. But when the last names of the killer's victims spell out "Q-u-i-n-n", the veteran cop feels a chill run down his spine. Then a fresh victim is linked to the one woman Quinn can't stop desiring. Hunting down killers is what Quinn does best. But this time, Quinn is up against a psychopath that will test him as never before.

Critic Reviews:

"A very scary and suspenseful read." (Booklist)

"Lutz gives us further proof of his enormous talent for crafting great police fiction." (Publishers Weekly)

Members Reviews:

A great read

Some didn't like this book, but I am a huge John Lutz fan and this is one of his best in my opinion. The character Quinn is believable. Lutz has been around for a while and all of the books I have read so far are about retired cops coming out of retirement to work again. I am also a huge Michael Connelly fan (Harry Botch) and this is one of the reasons I like this author.

I always read reviews before downloading...

Some of the reviews for this book were not very flattering, but I took a chance on Scott Brick as the narrator. I thought it was a great book. Unlike some of the reviews, I found it very intriguing and easy to follow. Good "creepy" story!

Great Narrator

I enjoyed this mystery and the narrator was great. His voice sent chills up my spine more than once as the suspenseful parts. I've read Lutz other books and this one has them beat.

Enjoyable read

I will say I enjoyed this book and Scott Brick was amazing as usual. The relationship between mother and son was well developed. I would have liked to have seen Quinn do more to "catch the killer" instead of the killer simply falling from the sky. It seemed the book ran a bit out of steam at the end.

Super evil villain

I like John Sandford and this author is the closest to him that I've found. I couldn't decide between three and four stars and went with four as a result of great narration by Scott Brick. Some of the twists and turns of this novel were not believable but, hey, this is a work of fiction and we usually suspend reality when we listen to books in this genre. I thought the characters were interesting and the author made you care about some of them. How their lives crossed was a bit of a stretch and the conclusion of the book was somewhat anticlimactic. The author also could have mixed up Sherman's modus operandi a bit more. I've downloaded another book by Lutz and am hopeful that it garners four or five stars all by itself.

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Title: The Burnt House

Author: Faye Kellerman

Narrator: Mitchell Greenberg

Format: Abridged

Length: 5 hrs and 37 mins

Language: English

Release date: 08-02-07

Publisher: HarperAudio

Ratings: 3.5 of 5 out of 13 votes

Genres: Mysteries & Thrillers, Modern Detective

Publisher's Summary:

A small commuter plane carrying 47 passengers crashes into an apartment building, and LAPD Lieutenant Peter Decker works overtime to calm rampant fears. But a grisly mystery lives inside the plane's wreckage: the unidentified bodies of four extra travelers. And there is no sign of an airline employee who was supposedly on the catastrophic flight. The fate of the unaccounted-for flight attendant, 28-year-old Roseanne Dresden, remains a question mark more than a month after the horrific event, when the young woman's irate stepfather calls, insisting that she was never on-board the doomed plane. Instead, he claims, she was most likely murdered by her abusive husband. But why was Roseanne's name included on the passenger list?

Under pressure to come up with answers, Decker launches an investigation that carries him down a path of tragic history, dangerous secrets, and deadly lies - and leads him to the corpse of a three-decades-missing murder victim. And as the jagged pieces slowly fall into place, a frightening picture begins to form: a mind-searing portrait of unimaginable evil that will challenge Decker and his wife Rina's own beliefs about guilt and innocence and justice.

Combining relentless suspense with intense, multi-layered human drama The Burnt House is Faye Kellerman at her mesmerizing best.

Members Reviews:

Cliche

An engaging plot with engaging twists however the key detective characters were under developed and too much explanation was provided of the forensic elements in a patronising attempt to communicate to the audience, making the cops appear painfully simplistic.