Listen to Most Popular Audiobooks in Mysteries & Thrillers, Classic Detective

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Title: The Revenge of Moriarty

Subtitle: Sherlock Holmes' Nemesis Lives Again

Author: John Gardner

Narrator: Robin Sachs

Format: Unabridged

Length: 11 hrs and 56 mins

Language: English

Release date: 12-07-12

Publisher: Blackstone Audio, Inc.

Ratings: 4 of 5 out of 25 votes

Genres: Mysteries & Thrillers, Classic Detective

Publisher's Summary:

With riches accumulated from an American crime spree, Professor Moriarty proceeds to annihilate his enemies. He murders the leaders of Europe's underworld one by one, then prepares his most hideous revenge for his arch-enemy, Sherlock Holmes. Will he succeed in this most terrible plan?

In this vivid, suspenseful novel of London underworld crime, John Gardner has created another brilliant novel in his acclaimed series pitting the Napoleon of Crime, James Moriarty, against mystery fiction's Great Detective, Sherlock Holmes.

Members Reviews:

Big disappointment...

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

The story seemed disjointed to me. In all fairness to John Gardner I may need to read it in print, as Robin Sach's performance was so monotone that I never finished the book.

What didnt you like about Robin Sachss performance?

Mr. Sach's was so monotone that I was afraid to listen in the car, as I may have fallen asleep driving.

Monotonous, Charlie Browns Teacher.

Would you recommend The Revenge of Moriarty to your friends? Why or why not?

No.

What didnt you like about Robin Sachss performance?

I am an avid Sherlock Holmes fan. In that, I wanted to love this book. I couldn't finish it simply because of the voice actor. It was droll and lifeless. But I do not blame Mr. Sachs. It has to be the directors fault.

If this book were a movie would you go see it?

Yes, that might be better.

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Title: Agatha Raisin: Hiss and Hers

Subtitle: Agatha Raisin, Book 23

Author: M. C. Beaton

Narrator: Penelope Keith

Format: Unabridged

Length: 6 hrs and 25 mins

Language: English

Release date: 12-05-12

Publisher: Audible Studios

Ratings: 4.5 of 5 out of 12 votes

Genres: Mysteries & Thrillers, Classic Detective

Publisher's Summary:

Agatha has fallen in love - again.

This time it's the local gardener, George Marston, she has her eye on. But competition for his attention abounds. With her shameless determination Agatha will do anything to get her man - including footing the bill for a charity ball in town just for the chance to dance with him. But when George is a no-show Agatha goes looking for him - and finds he has been murdered, having been bitten by a poisonous snake and buried in a compost heap. Agatha and the rest of her crew plunge into an investigation and discover that George had quite a complicated love life. And if Agatha now can't have George, at least she can have the satisfaction of confronting those women who have and finding a murderer in the process.

Members Reviews:

Another Enjoyable Tale

Once again Agatha Raisin hits the mark, enjoyable to the end with such wonderful narration. A little escapism, a little fun and always a tittering moment within the pages.

A pleasure and just as good as the others in the series. If you want something unchallenging, entertaining that holds your attention then Agatha will not let you down.

Comfort-listening at its best

Listening to an Agatha Raisin audiobook is like curling up under a merino wool blanket with a large mug of tea on a rainy afternoon. It is a comforting, entertaining listen that's easy to follow and doesn't lose too much if you're multi-tasking (in my case, marking 180 exercise books and fending off a tantrumming toddler).

If you want a gentle, humorous, entertaining whodunnit then this is it. Old fans of Ms Raisin won't be disappointed and, though I would advise anyone to start with the first in the series (The Quieche of Death) and work their way through, I don't think it matters too much in terms of following the plot if you're new to Agatha's antics.

Not a highbrow literary masterpiece; not an edge-of-your-seat, hair-on-end, scare-a-minute thriller... but it loses nothing for this - a rib-tickling caper with a few close scrapes thrown in - Keep them coming Ms Beaton!

Agatha Raisin, Like me but with Money!!!

Agatha (Aggie) is a great character, eccentric, prickly, selfish and normal. I have read all of the Agatha Raisin books, it is difficult to choose my favourite, Hiss & Hers is an easy listen & Penelope Keith epitimises Aggie, she is Aggie! All the characters are brilliantly crafted & likeable. Should you need cheering up listen to this I defy you not to smile, in fact any of the series will make you smile!! These books will appeal mostly to women of a certain age, if that makes me ageist & sexist so be it, I won't apologise.

Agatha again.

I enjoyed this latest installement of the Agatha Raisin series - they're not gritty, hard hitting or particulary believable but the characters of Mrs Bloxby, Bill Wong, Roy Silver and Agatha are likeable enough to keep you listening. Penelope Keith narrates this well and it was a pleasant accompaniment to a day's spring cleaning.

Better than I anticipated

I am reading/ listening to the Agatha Raisin books in order and am sad there are only four left. This one was better than the last with a compelling plot and all the usual humour. Penelope Kieth reads it beautifully. I listened to most of it on a journey by steam train to Scarbourough and back, so I will remember this one.

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Title: Footsteps at the Lock

Author: Ronald Knox

Narrator: Barnaby Edwards

Format: Unabridged

Length: 7 hrs and 19 mins

Language: English

Release date: 12-03-12

Publisher: Audible Studios

Ratings: 3.5 of 5 out of 7 votes

Genres: Mysteries & Thrillers, Classic Detective

Publisher's Summary:

When two brothers, potential heirs, go missing on a canoe trip on the River Thames, private investigator Miles Bredon and his friend Inspector Leyland are called in to investigate what might have happened to the pair. The accumulation of evidence - including cyphers, fake photos, and drugs - leads to a much discussion and speculation, but only a recreation of events will help them to solve the mystery.

Members Reviews:

Interesting

Good characters. Spare but appreciatively lovely descriptions of the river. The sequencing of the story was told well but the plot concerning the two cousins was not very credible. A map of the lock and surrounds would have helped the reader to follow the machinations of the parties (how does one do that for an audio book?) altogether enjoyable and I would read another book by this author.

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Title: Come Away, Death

Author: Gladys Mitchell

Narrator: Patience Tomlinson

Format: Unabridged

Length: 9 hrs and 52 mins

Language: English

Release date: 08-09-12

Publisher: Soundings

Ratings: 4 of 5 out of 37 votes

Genres: Mysteries & Thrillers, Classic Detective

Publisher's Summary:

Sir Rudri Hopkinson, an eccentric amateur archaeologist, is determined to recreate ancient rituals at the temple of Eleusis in Greece in the hope of summoning the goddess Demeter. He gathers together a motley collection of people to assist in the experiment, including a rival scholar, a handsome but cruel photographer and a trio of mischievous children. But when one of the groups disappears, and a severed head turns up in a box of snakes, Mrs Bradley is called upon to investigate.

Members Reviews:

Great book, but you have to pay attention!

If you liked other Mrs Bradley mysteries, you should like this one. But if you don't pay careful attention to everything going on, you might think that it is a travel log with a little mystery at the end. Gladys Mitchell includes the necessary information to solve the mystery, but she has hidden it in a wealth of detail. I enjoyed it very much, especially Patience Tomlinson's reading of it.

No more Mitchells for me

Gladys Mitchell's books are always temptingthe synopsis sounds promising, Patience Tomlinson is a lovely narratorbut always a baffling disappointment. Mitchell's heroine, Mrs Bradley, is an unsatisfying detective whose methods are opaque and whose psychology is suspect, as well as extremely outdated. I've fallen for three of these books now and come out of every one irritated. The convoluted mystery plot unravels at a lame snail's pace, the cast is overlarge and undifferentiated, the main characters are dolts, and the entire proceedings are remarkably humorless. Never again, Mitchell, never again.

Good listen

The actual murder doesn't happen until hour 6. The narration is very nice. Good book for a rainy day

Something a bit different

I love the Gladys Mitchell books. They satisfy my love of a detective story but are different from the usual types. They don't always start with a death followed by the detective solving the crime. Things happen as the story goes along. I would recommend these to anyone who likes a good yarn.

Not her best work

Set out in Greece, both the characters and the endless allusions to Classical Greek culture and sites became tiresome. If you've an atlas and a glossary, you may find this easier going. This is a pity because the author can produce wonderful plots.

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Title: The Fashion in Shrouds

Author: Margery Allingham

Narrator: Francis Matthews

Format: Unabridged

Length: 12 hrs and 41 mins

Language: English

Release date: 08-01-12

Publisher: Audible Studios

Ratings: 4.5 of 5 out of 50 votes

Genres: Mysteries & Thrillers, Classic Detective

Publisher's Summary:

Both the skeleton and the corpse have died with suspicious convenience for Georgia Wells, a monstrous but charming actress with a raffish entourage. Georgia's best friend just happens to be Valentine, a top couturière and Campion's sister. In order to protect Valentine, Campion must unravel a story of blackmail and ruthless murder....

Members Reviews:

Leaves a nasty taste in one's mouth

Any additional comments?

There I was, making my way slowly through this series, enjoyable the affable, comical and thoughtful Albert Campion when suddenly this story rears its ugly head. While the plot is adequate, the author has gone out of her way to write some seriously weird dialogue that makes every character (except for the young boy) obnoxious in the extreme.

The female characters seem to be written solely for the author to set up in humiliating situations and the male characters are SO misogynist that it would almost be laughable if it wasn't so insulting to men and women. Yes, I know the book was published in 1938 but surely even then it would be considered shocking and revolting for a brother to suggest to his sister that she needs "a good rape"!

One of the men dumps his girlfriend to have a blatant affair with her friend and then, without a word of explanation or apology, returns to her to propose marriage, or perhaps indentured servitude would be a better description. She is a highly successful designer and the romantic bastard tells her he'll marry her on the condition that she gives up her entire life to him, become his possession (his exact words) and that this arrangement will be strictly a one-way street. She simply cannot wait to agree to this wonderful bargain. These are just a couple of examples; there are plenty more.

Francis Matthews does an excellent job of narrating, and he has my sympathy. There is not nearly enough story to distract from the grotesque relationships. I don't know what Ms. Allingham was ingesting while composing this one but I am going to do my best to forget it and hope that the next in the series will return to some semblance of reality.Thoroughly NOT recommended.

Important volume in the series

If you are a reader of the Albert Campion series this is an important book to read. Most of the series makes very rare mention of his relatives and this one centers around his relationship with his sister, the only member of his family whom he seems to have a connection with. It reveals a little more about his family and adds dimension to his character.

In addition, this book sets the tone for Albert's love life in the books to come and is important from that aspect as well.

However, as for the actual story itself I found it to be one of my least favorites. One of the things I have truly enjoyed about Allingham's books is that the characters are generally likable and easy to connect with. In this book most of the supporting characters were little more than caricatures. Their character developments were very cliche and and without depth. Furthermore the plot had so many elements going at one time that it was very hard to keep track of what was happening, who was involved, and why you were supposed to care about it.

I also found the "lovesick" angles in this one to be a bit thick.

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Titre: L'armée furieuse (Commissaire Adamsberg 8)

Auteur: Fred Vargas

Narrateur: Thierry Janssen

Format: Unabridged

Durée: 11 hrs and 58 mins

Langue: Français

Date de publication: 02-05-12

Éditeur: Audiolib

Evaluation: 5 sur 5 sur 8 votes

Genres: Mysteries & Thrillers, Classic Detective

Résumé de l'éditeur:

Le commissaire Adamsberg devrait se méfier... On le sait, la Normandie et le Cotentin sont des lieux qu'on dit de longue date hantés par sorciers, fantômes et morts-vivants. Aussi, quand on lui affirme que les disparitions sur lesquelles il enquête sont la vengeance séculaire de "l'Armée furieuse", la "mesnie Hellequin" - en français moderne "la maisonnée", ou fratrie du même nom - mieux vaudrait qu'il rengaine son incrédulité.

Un roman envoûtant comme les contes racontés à la veillée où il n'est pas interdit de lire une métaphore de notre présent. Une performance. Thierry Janssen se devait d'incarner des temps - et des psychologies - séparés par des siècles. Il prête à Fred Vargas une interprétation qui restitue à merveille le subtil "double jeu" voulu par l'auteur.

L'auteure

- de son vrai nom Frédérique Audoin-Rouzeau - est née en 1957. Médiéviste et titulaire d'un doctorat d'Histoire, elle est chercheur en Histoire et Archéologie au CNRS. La quasi totalité de son oeuvre - les "rompols" comme elle appelle ses textes policiers - est publiée chez Viviane Hamy. A plusieurs reprises primée, adaptée au cinéma - Pars vite et reviens tard - et à la télévision, elle est traduite dans plus de 40 langues, et ses livres sont des best-sellers en France mais également en Allemagne et en Italie.

Le narrateur

Né en 1972 et diplômé de l'IAD Théâtre en 1995,

est à la fois comédien, auteur et metteur en scène. Formé au clown et à la commedia dell'arte, il a travaillé entre autres avec Carlo Boso et Franco Dragone.

©2011 Fred Vargas (P)2011 Audiolib

Revues par les critiques:

La presse en parle

"Le flic fétiche de Fred Vargas a rendez-vous avec les fantômes. Et le polar, avec la poésie."

Michel Abescat, Télérama

"On n'arrêtera pas en tout cas le talent de Fred Vargas, au sommet de son art."

Thierry Gandillot, Les Echos

Avis des membres:

Not just a police thriller! The Latest in the Commissaire Adamsberg Series is as Intriguing as its Predecessors.

Fred Vargas develops ingenious plots and links a series of her novels with an enigmatic character, Adamsberg, in the role of Commissaire. Humor, poetry and psychology lend substance to the story and her professional knowledge of medieval archeology is used to advantage as a further dimension. This most recent in the Adamsberg series continues his intriguing career. In the original French, or the translations into Spanish and English, it is well worth reading.

Margaret ( not David ) Jollow.

One of the very best "polar" I have read

A classic, great writing

my favorite of my four Vargas reads

I've become a Fred Vargas fan and this novel drew me in the most. I like the history that makes its way in Fred's "policiers."

Five Stars

Couldn't put it down!

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Title: The Mugger

Author: Ed McBain

Narrator: Dick Hill

Format: Unabridged

Length: 6 hrs and 1 min

Language: English

Release date: 12-27-11

Publisher: Brilliance Audio

Ratings: 4 of 5 out of 94 votes

Genres: Mysteries & Thrillers, Classic Detective

Publisher's Summary:

A beat cop winds up on the trail of a deadly mugger, but when it suddenly gets personal, his own life might be the next thing to be snatched.

Critic Reviews:

The 87th Precinct [is] one of the great literary accomplishments of the last half-century. (Pete Hamill, Newsday)

McBain has the ability to make every character believable - which few writers these days can do. (Associated Press

Members Reviews:

50's Cop Series

The first book "Cop Killer" was set against a heatwave in the middle of summer.

The second book "The Mugger" takes place in Fall (Autumn).

It was a coincidence that I happened to read both books during the seasons that they were written about. I was impressed with Mccains atmospheric writing, perhaps because I experienced the seasons as he described them. He was able to capture a feeling of the city, in part because of the different seasons.

McBain describes the city as if it were a woman (his words) and the reader can thus feel the dress sticking to her skin; Whether it is the sweltering summer sweat, or leaves falling around her ankles onto wet pavement.

Once the mood is set, the actors are introduced: the criminals and the crimes they perpetrate, the enforcers of peace, and the families at home.

"You know her tossed head in the auburn crowns of molting autumn foliage, Riverhead, and the park. [] You have seen her naked streets, have heard the sullen murmur of the wind in the concrete canyons of Isola, have watched her come awake, alive. [] She is big and sprawling and dirty sometimes, and sometimes she shrieks in pain, and sometimes she moans in ecstasy.

But she could be nothing but a woman, and thats good because your business is women.

You are a mugger."

- Ed Mccain from "The Mugger"

By todays standards Mccain's writing may seem quaint, but it captures the essence of 1950's cop novels.

Great stories!

The 87th precinct is a series that you can easily get sucked into. I don't read a lot of books, but these are so well written that I feel like I've known the characters for a very long time. They read very easily, I even catch myself laughing, or getting excited at appropriate times during the story.

Love the author, hate the reader

Would you try another book from Ed McBain and/or Dick Hill?

I have loved the 87th precinct novels since I stumbled upon the first one about three decades ago. I have read them all in print multiple times. I was disappointed when I joined audible that there wasn't any available and waited impatiently for them to be produced. Unfortunately, when they finally became available, it was with Dick Hill reading them. I do not like this reader he ruins the story for me. I will continue to purchase these books because I love McBain's works but I can only stand to listen to them one book at a time with long breaks in between. I wish they had used George Guidall or Richard Ferrone (he does wonderful with the John Sandford "Prey" books). With either of those readers I wouldn't have been able to stop listening to marathon 87th! Any chance for a redo with either of these readers?

What didnt you like about Dick Hills performance?

I don't like the way he reads. His characterization sounds terrible and he overacts in his reading.

Any additional comments?

Please find another place for Mr Hill.

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Title: A Sea of Troubles

Author: Donna Leon

Narrator: David Colacci

Format: Unabridged

Length: 8 hrs and 8 mins

Language: English

Release date: 11-18-11

Publisher: Random House Audiobooks

Ratings: 4 of 5 out of 10 votes

Genres: Mysteries & Thrillers, Classic Detective

Publisher's Summary:

The murder of two clam fishermen off the island of Pellestrina, south of the Lido on the Venetian lagoon, draws Commissario Brunetti into the island's close-knit community, bound together by a code of loyalty and a suspicion of outsiders worthy of the Mafia.

When the Vice-Questore's secretary Signorina Elettra volunteers to visit the island, where she has relatives, Brunetti finds himself torn between his duty to solve the murders, concerns for Elettra's safety, and his not entirely straightforward feelings for her....

Members Reviews:

Terrible reading

What didnt you like about David Colaccis performance?

He makes many of the Italian characters sound as if they were trying to speak English, however, Donna Leon writes, in English admittedly, about Italians who are actually speaking their mother tongue. David Colacci appears to assume that non-Americans are too stupid to speak their own languages properly. This attitude made me so angry that I finished reading the book instead of listening to it.

beautifully written thriller

a bit slow to start but very interesting insight into venetian life. Well written characters and a good ending.

Another Italian triumph

Would you listen to A Sea of Troubles again? Why?

I really enjoy all of Donna Leon's books as they create a good view of Venice!

What was one of the most memorable moments of A Sea of Troubles?

I particularly enjoy the descriptions of meals which evoke images of wonderful Italian cuisine.

What does David Colacci bring to the story that you wouldnt experience if you had only read the book?

I have always enjoyed having stories read to me.

If you made a film of this book, what would be the tag line be?

Brunetti solves the case again!

Incomplete

Stopped audio with 5 minutes remaining. Very frustrating ...

I received a refund, then purchased a Kindle book to read the concluding pages.

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Title: Charlie Chan in The Pawns of Death

Author: Bill Pronzini, Jeffrey M. Wallmann, Jeffrey M. Wallmann

Narrator: Wayne June

Format: Unabridged

Length: 2 hrs and 1 min

Language: English

Release date: 11-02-11

Publisher: Wildside Press LLC

Ratings: 3.5 of 5 out of 31 votes

Genres: Mysteries & Thrillers, Classic Detective

Publisher's Summary:

"Checkmate." That was the last word uttered to Charlie Chan and Prefect of Police Claude DeBevre by a dying reporter. The man had been murdered... stabbed to death and left to die in a vacant hotel room. It is the second murder in 24 hours at the Transcontinental Chess Tournament, and Charlie Chan has been summoned from a peaceful and long-deserved vacation to help solve the crime before international scandal ruins the tournament's good name!

Originally published in Charlie Chan's Mystery Magazine in 1974, this is the first audiobook appearance of The Pawns of Death.

Members Reviews:

not long enough

Is there anything you would change about this book?

The story seemed to be to short.It all happened so quickly.

Would you recommend Charlie Chan in The Pawns of Death to your friends? Why or why not?

Yes if they like short mystery stories

What does Wayne June bring to the story that you wouldn???t experience if you just read the book?

It adds to the story to hear the different quality of the words with good expressions and different voices

Was Charlie Chan in The Pawns of Death worth the listening time?

Yes

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Title: The House of Silk

Author: Anthony Horowitz

Narrator: Derek Jacobi

Format: Unabridged

Length: 10 hrs and 23 mins

Language: English

Release date: 11-01-11

Publisher: Orion Publishing Group Limited

Ratings: 4 of 5 out of 150 votes

Genres: Mysteries & Thrillers, Classic Detective

Publisher's Summary:

THE GAME'S AFOOT... It is November 1890 and London is gripped by a merciless winter. Sherlock Holmes and Dr Watson are enjoying tea by the fire when an agitated gentleman arrives unannounced at 221b Baker Street. He begs Holmes for help, telling the unnerving story of a scar-faced man with piercing eyes who has stalked him in recent weeks. Intrigued by the man's tale, Holmes and Watson find themselves swiftly drawn into a series of puzzling and sinister events, stretching from the gas-lit streets of London to the teeming criminal underworld of Boston. As the pair delve deeper into the case, they stumble across a whispered phrase 'the House of Silk': a mysterious entity and foe more deadly than any Holmes has encountered, and a conspiracy that threatens to tear apart the very fabric of society itself. With devilish plotting and excellent characterisation, bestselling author Anthony Horowitz delivers a first-rate Sherlock Holmes mystery for a modern readership whilst remaining utterly true to the spirit of the original Conan Doyle books. Sherlock Holmes is back with all the nuance, pace and powers of deduction that make him the world's greatest and most celebrated detective.

©2011 Anthony Horowitz (P)2011 Orion Publishing Group Ltd

Members Reviews:

Recommended as a welcome return

What a pleasure to have a new Sherlock Holmes adventure to enjoy, written in the true Conan Doyle style and as complicated and enthralling as usual.

This tale is rather darker in places than Holmes tales with which we are familiar. Nowadays some subjects can be addressed which Conan Doyle, in his time, could not mention although he would not have been unaware. This is perfectly acceptable and it is only fitting that the genre can be updated in this way, but it may seem strange to modern readers who do not realise the innocent ignorance of so many in the Victorian era.

It is good to have such a distinguished narrator as Derek Jacobi, a pleasure to hear and who even managed to make Holmes a fraction more likeable. At least Holmes seemed to be a little kinder to Watson, a change long overdue.

.

Surprisingly impressive

I truly did wonder if anyone could quite match Conan Doyle when writing a new Sherlock Holmes - so many have tried and failed, however this was fantastic. It was very true to Conan Doyle's style and character but still different enough for Horowitz to be true to himself as a writer. It was a great story with enough twists and turns (as one would expect from Sherlock Holmens) to keep you listening.

Derek Jacobi was an excellent choice as narrator, he has the perfect voice and accent for this story, injecting just enough difference for each character to keep it interesting without being overly theatrical.

Well done Horowitz, you've done an excellent job, I'm sure Conan Doyle would be proud and thrilled with how you have taken his character and 'run with it'. I look forward to many many more Sherlock Holmes stories from you.

I highly recommend this book.

Very Much an Homage

If you are a fan of the Sherlock Holmes's stories, you are going to like this very much. Horowitz does an excellent job of echoing the Conan Doyle voice. In Sherlockian tradition, the narration is through the POV of Watson and all the familiar recurring characters put in an appearance.

The plot is also very much in the tradition.