Listen to Popular Titles Audiobooks in Mysteries & Thrillers, Historical

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Title: Imperial Vengeance

Subtitle: Twilight of Empire, Book 5

Author: Ian Ross

Narrator: Jonathan Keeble

Format: Unabridged

Length: 13 hrs and 8 mins

Language: English

Release date: 01-11-18

Publisher: Whole Story Audiobooks

Genres: Mysteries & Thrillers, Historical

Publisher's Summary:

Aurelius Castus is one of the leading military commanders of an empire riven by civil war, but age is telling upon him. Castus discovers that the emperor's son Crispus aims to depose his ruthless father and restore the old ways of Rome. With a sadistic torturer on his trail, Castus must choose between honour and survival, and face a final confrontation with the most powerful man in the Roman world: the emperor Constantine himself.

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Title: The Ruby Files

Author: William Maynard, Sean Taylor, Andrew Salmon, Bobby Nash

Narrator: Alex Beckham

Format: Unabridged

Length: 5 hrs and 5 mins

Language: English

Release date: 01-05-18

Publisher: RadioArchives.com

Genres: Mysteries & Thrillers, Historical

Publisher's Summary:

Gangsters and gun molls

It was the 1930s, and America was locked in the grip of the Great Depression. Gangsters controlled the major cities, while outlaws roamed the rural back country. It was a time of speakeasy gin-joints, tommy-guns, fast cars, and even faster dames. This is the world of New York-based private investigator Rick Ruby, a world he is all too familiar with. From the back alleys of Gotham to the gold laden boulevards of Hollywood, Ruby is the shamus with a nose for trouble and an insatiable appetite for justice. So, if youve got a taste for hot lead and knuckle sandwiches, tug your cuffs, adjust your fedora, and light up a Lucky, a brand new pulp detective is coming your way.

Created by pulp masters, Bobby Nash and Sean Taylor, Rick Ruby echoes the tales of Sam Spade and Philip Marlowe while offering up his own brand of two-fisted action. Joined by fellow pulp smiths Andrew Salmon and William Patrick Maynard, these modern scribes of purple prose present a quartet of tales to delight any true lover of private eye fiction.

Airship 27 Productions - pulp fiction for a new generation!

Members Reviews:

Pulp Fiction and "Film Noir."

The blurb above the title reads, "Every story a gem!" Man, they weren't kidding!

Created by writers Bobby Nash and Sean Taylor, The Ruby Files, starring Rick Ruby, Private Eye, adheres and pays tribute to guys like Sam Spade, Philip Marlowe, Mike Hammer, Peter Gunn, and Richard Diamond. But they've set Ruby apart from the others by giving him more of a wicked sense of humor (which is something I find makes a character that much more real), easing back on the cynicism, making him a little more nasty when it comes to the rough stuff, and making him a shade more fallible: he doesn't always think before he acts, and he sometimes makes the wrong decision. I like that about him. Oh, and unusual for a series set in the 1930s, Rick is romantically involved with Evelyn Johnson, a black nightclub singer. Four novellas by four different writers comprise this excellent volume, and I'll give you a brief summary on each of them.

The most hard-boiled of the lot is Andrew Salmon's excellent tale, Wounds, the first story. It's the perfect introduction to Rick Ruby and his film noir world. Here he investigates the murder of a cop, who may or may not be dirty. Then there's a connection between the distraught father of the murdered policeman and Rick's own father, who died in WWI, on Christmas Eve, 1917. Besides working hard and endangering his life to solve this cop's death and bring the murderer(s) down, Rick has to deal with a very emotional father, as well as his own emotions. This adds weight and a backstory to Ruby and sets us up for the rest of the stories.

One of the more intricately-plotted of the four stories is The Case of the Wayward Brother, by co-creator Bobby Nash. Ruby is hired by a gorgeous gal, Marilyn Carlyle to help find her wayward brother, Jonathan. Jonny boy is somewhat of a gambling addict, and is in hock to some very nasty wise guys for some big dough. Well, things don't turn out to be so easy for Rick, and the tale soon heats up when the search for the missing brother turns ugly. And just when you think you know where this is going -- bang! The twists and turns hit you like a shot out of a dark alley.

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Title: The Reaper's Touch

Subtitle: The Ripper Legacies, Book 2

Author: Robert Southworth

Narrator: Paul Deacon

Format: Unabridged

Length: 7 hrs and 17 mins

Language: English

Release date: 01-04-18

Publisher: Robert Southworth

Genres: Mysteries & Thrillers, Historical

Publisher's Summary:

London, 1890. William Harkness is summoned to the scene of a grisly murder. The victim is not a woman of the night, nor a member of the underclass. Nonetheless, Harkness is certain the Ripper has resumed his slaughter. He and his men resume the hunt for the infamous killer, but all is not as it seems. William Harkness soon realizes that hunters can also be prey....

Members Reviews:

A gripping sequel

A gripping sequel to say the least. With the identity of The Ripper still unknown, the author throws out tantalizing hints and creative plot twists, capturing the mood and emotions of everyone involved. Fast paced action, engaging characters; a tale replete with the sights and sounds of London; it's vibrancy and it's decadence. I was taken in once again by Mr. Southworth's grasp of the facts and his creative touch on one of the more ghoulish murder sprees London has ever experienced. Another facet of this tale I like is that the mystery of who is The Ripper hasn't been solved yet, and that means there will be a third book - that is a good thing to look forward to. 4.7 stars

... really knocks it out of the park with this great book. Love the way he captures life on ...

Mr Southworth really knocks it out of the park with this great book.

Love the way he captures life on the streets of London, it is almost like being there yourself.

Most interesting take on the ripper story l have ever read, wonderful imagination, book flows very well.

Hoping from more soon. Good job sir.

Another cracking tale

For me this has to be one of the most hotly anticipated releases this year. Rob likes to tease us readers and keep us waiting but itâs worth it. Robâs never given me anything other than a 5* book previously and heâs done it again.

What Iâve always really enjoyed about Robâs work is that Iâve been there from the first book and I can really see how heâs grown. Donât get me wrong.. I never found fault with any of his books but this one just seems a step above the last as he continues to rattle out fun and mesmerising tales that really suck you in.

What I really enjoyed about this plot is that with a hint of history and a pinch of imagination Rob gives us something completely original and so god damn exciting.

So this is the second book in the Ripper Legacies and we are back with William Harkess and his rabble of men as he joins forces with Inspector Abberline to hunt down The Ripper. This time his foe is more dangerous as William becomes more of an annoyance to him.

The book has some rather vivid moments where some unfortunate people do meet their end. While this is a completely new tale it does link well with The Ripperâs own handiwork, it makes it so much more believable and sets the tone/period of the story perfectly. ÂÂÂ

Another plus for this tale is that this time the heat is really turned up on William. Not everyone will make it out alive and this really built up the pressure.

Rob did a great job of quickly reminding me of the main players in the story and also helped me remember the previous tale in the series by mentioning a few certain characters and events that brung everything flooding back.

Southworth develops his characters well, each has their own role in the tale and thereâs a few great additions to this one.

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Title: The Masterman

Author: Max Brand

Narrator: Jeff Harding

Format: Unabridged

Length: 6 hrs and 26 mins

Language: English

Release date: 01-01-18

Publisher: Isis Publishing Ltd

Genres: Mysteries & Thrillers, Historical

Publisher's Summary:

Doc Oliver and Bob Melville are two fugitives eking out a living in Alaska. Then their solitude is disturbed by the arrival of the man who framed Melville years ago....

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Title: Sad Summer in Biarritz

Author: Jill Culiner

Narrator: Jill Culiner

Format: Unabridged

Length: 7 hrs and 34 mins

Language: English

Release date: 12-14-17

Publisher: Jill Culiner

Genres: Mysteries & Thrillers, Historical

Publisher's Summary:

The narrator, a Canadian woman, hopes to change her life by moving to Biarritz. Having escaped a devastating relationship with the mentally unstable Dominique, she is determined to make new friends and find the perfect mate. But in this summer resort frequented by couples and families, available singles are lonely people, too often embittered by romantic failure. And if the young artist, Vinnie, has promised entry into local society, he remains an illusive figure.

When Vinnie's body surfaces at the Pointe des Fous, new rumors circulate. Had he really been a fortune hunter, a seducer, and blackmailer, or just a gentle, over-sensitive man, a loser in love and friendship? The police have concluded his death was accidental, but doesn't everything point to murder? Or is the narrator over-reacting? Perhaps loneliness and isolation have made her suspicious, for love is as unattainable as ever, and threatening letters from Dominique are arriving with increasing frequency.

Sad Summer in Biarritz is a mystery, a story of the desperately lonely search for love, and a satirical portrait of French nouveau riche society in the 1980s.

Members Reviews:

A story of loneliness and isolation

A middle aged woman has left her mentally unstable boyfriend, Dominique, she lived with in Rennes, and goes off to spend some time alone in the summer town of Biarritz. She's renting an apartment from Dominique's aunt, Marie-Magdalene, who always have a perfect excuse for his behavior. Her idea was to sit in posh cafes and observe the passers by while sipping on her drinks. Little does she know that the town is full of vacationing families and couples, and the single men are desperate, at the end of their rope or are looking for someone or something else....basically not her. On the train she met a young artist, Vinnie and he told her he'd have his paintings on exhibition at the gallery. But when she finds this "gallery" it turns out to be merely a store selling knickknacks. She sort of befriends the two ladies who run it, delusional and super sensitive Chantal and the nagging and user, Michelline. Chantal has some strange secret, extramarital relationship with Joe, the African young guy who has illusions of making it big with his band. But in truth, Joe is only using her for money. Chantal however doesn't see it that way. When Vinnie's body surfaces in the water, police is fast to rule it out as an accidental death, but she is not convinced, yet cannot get a straight answer from anyone so goes on to dig out the truth. When she is close to the answer, she is threatened by those who had much to lose if the truth is uncovered. There she seems to end her quest and also severs her 'friendship' with Chantal. However, Dominique starts sending her lengthy letters explaining how sorry he is for his ill treatment of her and is begging her to return. Just when she thought a bit of luck smiled on her and she might find love in a newcomer, things don't workout in her favor. She returns to Biarritz years later to discover that the town has changed and no traces of people whom she crossed paths. I would love to see how she rid herself of Dominique for good, and maybe she could have find out what happened to the people from her first visit. A short paragraph would suffice. They existed there at one time, they owned businesses and houses, there would be some record.

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Title: Forgotten Places

Author: Johanna Craven

Narrator: Rebecca McKernan

Format: Unabridged

Length: 8 hrs and 34 mins

Language: English

Release date: 12-07-17

Publisher: Johanna Craven

Ratings: 5 of 5 out of 6 votes

Genres: Mysteries & Thrillers, Historical

Publisher's Summary:

Van Diemen's Land, Australia, 1833

English settler Grace Ashwell flees an abusive lover in Hobart Town, with six-year-old Violet in tow. In her head, escape is easy: find work in the northern settlements and earn enough for passage home to London. But the terrain beyond the settled districts is wilder than Grace could ever have imagined. She and Violet find themselves lost in a beautiful but deadly land where rain thunders down mountains, the earth drops away without warning and night brings impenetrable darkness.

Deep in the wilderness, they find a crude hut inhabited by Alexander Dalton, an escaped convict long presumed dead. Hiding from civilization in an attempt to forget his horrifying past, Alexander struggles to let Grace into his world.

When Violet disappears, Grace's fragile trust in Alexander is put to the test. And while she searches for answers, he will do anything to keep his secrets inside.

Based around the true story of the Macquarie Harbor bolters; one of the most horrifying events from Colonial Australia's bloody history.

Members Reviews:

Great historical fiction!

At the end of the story, the author gives the historical facts that this book is based around. Johanna Craven creates a whole cast of fictional character and builds a story around an actual event in history. Amazing! The story takes place in the early 1800s in Australia. The main character, Grace Ashwell, moves to Australia with her lover and his two children to start a new life together. Soon after arriving, her lover has her committed to an insane asylum. Grace escapes and kidnaps one of his daughters, Violet, to rescue her from his abuse. She wanted to rescue both but wasn't able to. She would try to return later for Nora. They flee to one of the other colonies only to get lost in the bush. Instead of finding another colony, she finds an escaped convict who has been hiding in the woods for years. Alexander Dalton had been presumed dead. Once Violet goes missing in the night, Grace blames him for her disappearance. The truth is much darker and sadder.

Great job by narrator Rebecca McKerran. She does an excellent job telling the story and bringing the characters to life. I love all the accents as well!

Very good!

Johanna Craven took me to a place I had never been before, and I have read a lot of books. The story of Grace, the twins Violet and Nora, Harrison and Alexander is so well written, so intriguing, that I could hardly put the book down. I say book, but I listened to the audio book and Rebecca Mckernan did a FANTASTIC job of narrating the story. I believed I was right there. Her attention to detail with the story made my heart race at times and completely break at others. I enjoyed this and will look for others by both talents.

Excellent book

I thoroughly enjoyed listening to Forgotten Places. It grabbed my attention and kept it. I would recommend everyone to read or listen to this book.

Splendid Book

The imagery is beyond exceptional and the story is just full of wonderful turns and smart writing. I deeply appreciate the ability the author has to make the reader connect with the characters, even those you don't expect to understand at first.

Excellent

Had me from page one. Couldn't put it down once I started it. The performance was exceptional. Great story.

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Title: The Woman in the Camphor Trunk

Subtitle: An Anna Blanc Mystery (Anna Blanc Mysteries)

Author: Jennifer Kincheloe

Narrator: Moira Quirk

Format: Unabridged

Length: 10 hrs and 52 mins

Language: English

Release date: 12-06-17

Publisher: Jennifer R Kincheloe, Ltd

Ratings: 5 of 5 out of 11 votes

Genres: Mysteries & Thrillers, Historical

Publisher's Summary:

Los Angeles, 1908. In Chinatown, the most dangerous beat in LA, police matron Anna Blanc and her former sweetheart, Detective Joe Singer, discover the body of a white missionary woman, stuffed in a trunk in the apartment of her Chinese lover. If news about the murder gets out, there will be a violent backlash against the Chinese. Joe and Anna work to solve the crime quietly and keep the death a secret, reluctantly helped by the good-looking Mr. Jones, a prominent local leader.

Meanwhile, the kidnapping of two slave girls fuels existing tensions, leaving Chinatown poised on the verge of a bloody tong war. Joe orders Anna to stay away, but Anna is determined to solve the crime before news of the murder is leaked and Chinatown explodes.

Members Reviews:

Anna Blanc makes early 1900s police work look fun!

Note: Even though this is Book 2 in the series, it works as a stand alone.

I didnt realize how much I missed Anna Blanc until I returned to her world of early 1900s Los Angeles. Shes such a charming character having a kind of innocence but also a deep determination once shes decided on a course of action. I love how she can judge certain traits about a person while also finding the person as a whole to be worthy. Some would say that her current circumstances are all her own making as she could have lived a life of indulgence and pampering, but doing so would have meant giving up her freedom in nearly everything. Besides, living on a police matrons salary lets her eat decently (if you count whiskey, kippers, and cracker jacks as wholesome food).

Joe Singer is also a favorite character. While he often has to rescue Anna from one situation or another, he is usually returned the kindness when Anna has to rescue him (though that can put a rub on his male ego). Its obvious hes madly in love with Anna but hes also hurt that she isnt willing to set aside her independence and become his obedient stay-at-home wife. I expect that eventually Anna will cure him of such expectations but until then I greatly look forward to the back and forth, the give and take between these two.

Wolfe surprised me in this book. Hes always so obvious about how he wouldnt mind making some time with Anna in the police stables. He definitely has a misogynistic streak and is borderline lewd at times with his blatant comeons. Still, there are some moments in this story where he shines and I very much look forward to seeing what the author has in store for him.

The plot delves into Los Angeless Chinatown. Its a seedy, run down section of the town full of tasty food and crime. Anna cant resist going again and again despite everyone warning her not to. Shes afforded some protection simply because she is a White woman and Chinatown doesnt want to be turned upside down by the police in the event of something unfortunate happening to a White woman in Chinatown. which is exactly what has happened to the mystery woman in the camphor trunk. Joe knows that this crime is a match waiting to strike so he and Anna do all they can to solve the murder before it makes news. However, most of Chinatown is not willing to help, with the exception of Mr. Jones who acts as translator for the two (though Joe knows some basic Chinese phrases).

Missionary work was big at the time and could be a blessing and a curse.

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Title: Birthright

Author: David Hingley

Narrator: Patience Tomlinson

Format: Unabridged

Length: 13 hrs and 54 mins

Language: English

Release date: 12-01-17

Publisher: Isis Publishing Ltd

Genres: Mysteries & Thrillers, Historical

Publisher's Summary:

In 1664, four years after Charles II is restored to the throne, Mercia Blakewood stands to lose everything: her father to the executioner's ax, her freedom to her treacherous uncle, her son to his resentful grandparents. But when her father leaves her a cryptic message in his last speech, she seizes her chance to fight back.

With would-be lover Nathan Keyte and unlikely new friend Nicholas Wildmoor, Mercia must unravel her father's mystery to find a great prize long thought lost, striving to recover the King's stolen birthright in the hope of reclaiming her own. From London's bulging metropolis to the forests of Manhattan, she will contend with murder, intrigue and lust, fighting for her future and her life.

Members Reviews:

Quite fun but...

I feel bad for the flack narrators get but unfortunately this ones characterisation of the heroine, a young woman, was rather too much like Lillian from The Archers.

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Title: Devil's Wolf

Subtitle: Hugh Corbett 19

Author: Paul Doherty

Narrator: Richard Burnip

Format: Unabridged

Length: 11 hrs and 14 mins

Language: English

Release date: 11-30-17

Publisher: Headline

Ratings: 5 of 5 out of 1 votes

Genres: Mysteries & Thrillers, Historical

Publisher's Summary:

Paul Doherty's most popular series character returns. Hugh Corbett is about to take up a life of danger once again in the 19th novel in his series and the follow-up to Dark Serpent. If you love historical mysteries from Robin Hobb, Susanna Gregory, Michael Jecks, Peter Tremayne and Bernard Knight, you will love this.

1296: King Edward I has led his army to Scotland, determined to take the country under his crown. But the fierce Scots have no intention of submitting to their oppressor, and violent and bloody war breaks out.

1311: Sir Hugh Corbett, Keeper of the Secret Seal, finds himself back in Scotland and is revisited by the horrors he witnessed there 15 years ago. An anonymous letter was delivered to the new king. It promised information about a fatal incident that could allow England to finally bow out of the war with the Scots.

Tasked with finding out the truth about the murder, Corbett is forced to take risks he would rather avoid and put his faith in the words of strangers. But with an unknown traitor lurking in the shadows and danger around every corner, will Corbett be able to unravel the complex web of plots in time?

Members Reviews:

Another wonderful Hugh Corbett mystery.

Having devoured Paul Doherty's books for 20 years, he still never disappoints me. Far and away one of my favourite authors and this latest adventure will not disappoint. My only concern is how long I'll have to wait for the next instalment of the Corbett mysteries.

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Title: The Jesuit Letter

Author: Dean Hamilton

Narrator: James Young

Format: Unabridged

Length: 11 hrs and 59 mins

Language: English

Release date: 11-17-17

Publisher: Dean Hamilton

Ratings: 4 of 5 out of 5 votes

Genres: Mysteries & Thrillers, Historical

Publisher's Summary:

England, 1575.

Ex-soldier turned play actor Christopher Tyburn thought he had left bloodshed and violence behind him when he abandoned the war against the Spanish in Flanders, but fate has different and far bloodier plans waiting.

The inn yards of London are closed due to plague and the playing troupe, The Earl of Worcester's Men, are on the road, touring the market towns of the Midlands. When Tyburn accidentally intercepts a coded letter from a hidden Jesuit priest in Warwickshire, he is entangled in a murderous and deadly conspiracy. Stalked by unknown enemies, he must race to uncover the conspirators and hunt down the Jesuit to clear his name... or die a traitor's death. His only hope - an eleven-year old glover's son named William Shakespeare.

This novel has been selected by the Historical Novel Society as an Editors' Choice and was short-listed for the 2016 HNS Indie Award. It has also been selected as a Semi-Finalist for the 2016 M. M. Bennetts Award for Historical Fiction.

Members Reviews:

Great 16th Century Adventure!

The Jesuit Letter is a historical adventure with a little something to captivate every reader. Through the protagonist, Christopher Tyburn, we are welcomed into the world of travelling players, though it is slowly revealed that there is much more to this mysterious, scarred man. Where else could an Elizabethan troupe perform than Stratford-upon-Avon, where we get to meet a young Will Shakespeare?

The mystery and action that begin right in the prologue never lets up in this quick-paced story. Our unfortunately named Tyburn first appears to be little more than the stereotypical player, drinking or gambling away his wages, but the deeper truths about him are not completely revealed until much later. He finds himself wrapped up in a plot that is rooted in the religious battles of the 16th century. Tyburn, comfortable not choosing sides in the Protestant versus Catholic debate, finds that he must decide where he stands if lives are to be saved.

I enjoyed the fact that this story revealed much of the lifestyles of the times without focusing on Queen Elizabeth herself. The 16th century is a fascinating era, but I do not enjoy reading about the revered & supposedly virgin queen, so this book was right up my alley. The author demonstrates thorough knowledge of his chosen setting with historical tidbits and slang sprinkled throughout the novel. I may be one of the few readers who would have appreciated fewer footnotes, but I loved the authenticity.

Those who know my reading habits will not be surprised that the romance portion of this novel was not my favorite element, but I did enjoy how it was used to develop Tyburn's character. The boy meets girl aspect of the book was second to many other relationships and events, including manipulation, betrayal, murder, spies, secret priests, hidden pasts, and so much more.

There is no need for me to point out that this novel also has a stunning cover. That is what first attracted me to it, and I am glad that I picked it up. I look forward to more from this author.

Well done! Looking forward to the rest of The Tyburn Folios!

I volunteered to read and review a complimentary copy of The Jesuit Letter after perusing Hamiltonâs well-written prequel Black Dog A Novella on Kobo. I was intrigued because I like Elizabethan drama and history and always enjoy good yarns from any era, but I am a stickler for authenticity.