Listen to Popular Titles Audiobooks in Mysteries & Thrillers, Historical

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Title: Murder on Sisters Row

Author: Victoria Thompson

Narrator: Suzanne Toren

Format: Unabridged

Length: 9 hrs and 7 mins

Language: English

Release date: 08-15-11

Publisher: Recorded Books

Ratings: 4 of 5 out of 65 votes

Genres: Mysteries & Thrillers, Historical

Publisher's Summary:

In this compelling Gaslight Mystery by Edgar Award-nominated author Victoria Thompson, a lady of means helps midwife Sarah Brandt rescue a young woman and her newborn from a brothel. But when the wealthy benefactor is found murdered, Sarah uncovers some unpleasant truths about the victim, her charity, and the woman and child Sarah risked her own life to save.

Members Reviews:

Not Bad, Not Good

I found the premise of this story very intriguing and I loved the setting. But I found the main character quite unevenly written. As a midwife working with the poor at that particular time, I found her naivety pretty hard to swallow.

The murder mystery structure itself was competent, but I found that most of the characters were, like the main one, conveniently changeable to fit the plot.

It wasn't truly awful. It wasn't great. But the narration is excellent and makes the best of a mediocre story.

Story good, narration less so

In general, I have enjoyed this series, written by Victoria Thompson, about midwife Sarah Brandt and the various people associated with her (policeman Frank Malloy, and two young foster daughters she has rescued in previous books). But I have found recent books to be uneven in both writing and narration. This one is actually quite good, though.

Happy to say that I think the author has done a very good job with this story--it held my interest throughout. But I don't think the narration was up to snuff. Suzanne Toren did a good job of separating voices--it was always clear who was speaking. But her voice for Frank Malloy was grating and (to me) left him sounding unlikeable (and he's actually one of my favorite characters in the story).

This is a pretty good story in which Sarah is called to deliver a baby in a brothel, and she learns that the mother is not there by choice, and gets involved in trying to rescue her--and of course, this leads to her typical adventures, murders, working with Malloy to try to solve them--per the usual adventures in this series.

I think it is a fairly good series--a couple earlier ones had left me wondering if both author and narrator(s) were slipping, but the story in this one is engaging, much like the earlier ones in the series. I just wish the narrator had done a better job with Malloy--since he is a major character. Still, I recommend this book.

Good... but...

Very good instalment in the series, but sadly no developments in the Frank and Sarah storyline.

murder on sister's row.

loved the story! Malloy has slowly grown in morals since we started this journey. Sarah's mother has had her eyes opened to a few things. good book. I enjoyed it completely.

Enjoyable story

Susanne's did a nice job with narration. This was not one of the best of this series.

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Title: Farthing

Subtitle: Small Change, Book 1

Author: Jo Walton

Narrator: John Keating, Bianca Amato

Format: Unabridged

Length: 9 hrs and 46 mins

Language: English

Release date: 08-05-11

Publisher: Audible Studios

Ratings: 4 of 5 out of 742 votes

Genres: Mysteries & Thrillers, Historical

Publisher's Summary:

One summer weekend in 1949 - but not our 1949 - the well-connected "Farthing set", a group of upper-crust English families, enjoy a country retreat. Lucy is a minor daughter in one of those families; her parents were both leading figures in the group that overthrew Churchill and negotiated peace with Herr Hitler eight years before. Despite her parents' evident disapproval, Lucy is married - happily - to a London Jew. It was therefore quite a surprise to Lucy when she and her husband, David, found themselves invited to the retreat. It's even more startling when, on the retreat's first night, a major politician of the Farthing set is found gruesomely murdered, with abundant signs that the killing was ritualistic.

It quickly becomes clear to Lucy that she and David were brought to the retreat in order to pin the murder on him. Major political machinations are at stake, including an initiative in Parliament, supported by the Farthing set, to limit the right to vote to university graduates. But whoever's behind the murder, and the frame-up, didn't reckon on the principal investigator from Scotland Yard being a man with very private reasons for sympathizing with outcasts and looking beyond the obvious. As the trap slowly shuts on Lucy and David, they begin to see a way out - a way fraught with peril in a darkening world.

Critic Reviews:

"If Le Carré scares you, try Jo Walton. Of course her brilliant story of a democracy selling itself out to fascism sixty years ago is just a mystery, just a thriller, just a fantasy--of course we know nothing like that could happen now. Don't we?" (Ursula K. Le Guin)

"Walton crosses genres without missing a beat with this stunningly powerful alternative history. while the whodunit plot is compelling, it's the convincing portrait of a country's incremental slide into fascism that makes this novel a standout. Mainstream readers should be enthralled as well." (Publishers Weekly)

Members Reviews:

It Couldn't Happen Here, Right? RIGHT?

I wasn't sure about this book, not being a real fantasy fan, but it did have a mystery in it, and it was on sale. So I bought it, and am I glad I did! Jo Walton has crafted a mystery set in England in an alternate history, where a group called the "Farthing Set" deposed Churchill and negotiated a "peace with honor" with Hitler in 1941, in which Hitler stayed on the other side of the Channel and England remained "independent" by agreeing to measures which amount to a milder form of suppression of Jews and homosexuals than that in place in continental Europe.

The action takes place in 1948, when a vote of no confidence is scheduled in Parliament. At a house party at Farthing, the estate of some members of the Farthing Set, the man who is likely to be elected the next Prime Minister is murdered. Lucy, the daughter of Farthing's owners, and her husband David Kahn, a Jew, have come to the party at the insistence of Lucy's mother.

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Title: Luciano's Luck

Author: Jack Higgins

Narrator: Michael Page

Format: Unabridged

Length: 7 hrs and 7 mins

Language: English

Release date: 01-15-11

Publisher: Brilliance Audio

Ratings: 4 of 5 out of 6 votes

Genres: Mysteries & Thrillers, Historical

Publisher's Summary:

In the Summer of 1943, the Allies were poised to invade Sicily. Yet the price would be high in blood and time unless the island people rose in revolt against their Nazi oppressors. But only the Mafia could command an uprising, and Mafia supremo Antonia Luca hated everything American. Someone very persuasive indeed was needed to change his mind. And they didnt come any more persuasive than the man known as Lucky Luciano.

Critic Reviews:

"100 percent proof adventure (The New York Times)

"Total credibilitya thundering climax Jack Higgins has done it again. (Yorkshire Post)

Members Reviews:

Very good,

good history lesson. it was too short bit a good history reminder from world War II.

Luciano helps win the war ??

If you could sum up Luciano's Luck in three words, what would they be?

Exciting adventure and victory

Did the plot keep you on the edge of your seat? How?

Yes, springing Luciana from prison ,parachuting in the Sicily ,sergeants trying to kill Luciano how could it not keep you on the edge of your seat.

What does Michael Page bring to the story that you wouldnt experience if you just read the book?

His voice characters

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

No

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Title: A Dead Man in Naples

Author: Michael Pearce

Narrator: Bill Wallis

Format: Unabridged

Length: 6 hrs and 37 mins

Language: English

Release date: 01-13-11

Publisher: Audible Studios

Ratings: 3.5 of 5 out of 17 votes

Genres: Mysteries & Thrillers, Historical

Publisher's Summary:

Naples, 1913. Sun-baked, blue-skied, and with its amazing bay it is one of the most beautiful spots in Italy. But its also one of the most corrupt. A new arrival here is a junior British official, Scampion, who has already been banished from Florence. Scampion, however, brings with him a new craze that is sweeping Italy: bicycling.

But one day as he walks home after a bicycle race, he is stabbed to death. That happens all the time in Naples, but remarkably his wallet was not taken. Could Scampions murder have something to do with the race? Bicycling may seem a harmless pursuit, but Neapolitans are great gamblers. And soon Seymour, our man from the FO, is sent out to investigate.

Members Reviews:

Love Seymour!

I actually like the Seymour series better than the other series by this author. Also I love anything narrated by Bill Wallis!!

This one features Seymour In Naples with his fiancée Chantal. Lively evocation of Naples shortly before WW I, and the clash of cultures present at the time. Period details and fascinating characters are more interesting than the mystery, really, although nicely wrapped up ending.

Irish accents

Very poorly read with italian characters being given Irish accents or cockney accents it was impossible to follow with any seriousness. Rubbish

Disappointing

What disappointed you about A Dead Man in Naples?

The review piqued my interest into listenin, but the story and characters were flat and boring. The narration was good and I plodded through to the end...but was grateful when the ridiculous plot came to an end.

What do you think your next listen will be?

A Jo Nesbo book or some historical fiction novel.

Would you be willing to try another one of Bill Walliss performances?

Yes

What character would you cut from A Dead Man in Naples?

All of them! There was nothing redeeming about the story.

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Title: A Christmas Odyssey

Author: Anne Perry

Narrator: Terrence Hardiman

Format: Unabridged

Length: 4 hrs and 37 mins

Language: English

Release date: 11-01-10

Publisher: Blackstone Audio, Inc.

Ratings: 4 of 5 out of 39 votes

Genres: Mysteries & Thrillers, Historical

Publisher's Summary:

Henry Rathbone is called by an old friend whose son has gone missing 10 days before the Christmas holiday. Now in his early 20s, Lucien has known trouble for some time and has often fallen victim to the vices of drugs, alcohol, and women. His father now fears the worst. Their old friend and reformed brothel-owner, Squeaky Robinson, volunteers to help. Henry agrees and, joined by Crow, a young doctor at the clinic, the pair trawls the pubs, brothels, and opium dens of the West End in search of clues. And so they set forth on their odyssey into Londons dark streets, on a mission whose outcome they cannot begin to guess.

Members Reviews:

NOT a Christmas Novel - even a little.

I love Anne Perry. Every year I look forward to reading one or more of her Christmas novels. This book has nothing to do with Christmas, short of coincidence with a calendar date. It is as dark a book as I've read in a very long time, and I've read at least one Stephen King recently. I stuck it through, waiting for some kind of redemption to the horrible story about human trafficking, and levels of sexual depravity I hadn't previously imagined (and I'm not a prude), and... there was no redemption. The ending was a brief outline lasting a few minutes, in an offhand tone. Up until that point - endless darkness and depravity. The title feels like a manipulation, as does the picture of the cover.

I gave it three stars because it was a decent character study, fairly well written, and wonderfully narrated.

Not a favorite

I totally agree with L. Holloway's review. I haven't listened to all of Ms. Perry's Chirstmas series yet, but this one is quite depressing. Has nothing to do with Christmas. Granted, her books are murder mysteries, which is depressing in itself, but the setting for this one is in the tunnels under the city where the dregs of society reside. Quite depressing. I don't know why I listened to the end.....probably because I wanted to see how it turns out. A few expletives here, but no F-bombs.

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Title: Infamous

Author: Ace Atkins

Narrator: Dick Hill

Format: Unabridged

Length: 13 hrs and 52 mins

Language: English

Release date: 04-30-10

Publisher: Tantor Audio

Ratings: 3.5 of 5 out of 41 votes

Genres: Mysteries & Thrillers, Historical

Publisher's Summary:

He has been compared to Lehane, Ellroy, and Pelecanos, but Ace Atkins's rich, raucous, passionate blend of historical novel and crime story is all his own - and never more so than in Infamous.

In July 1933, the gangster known as George "Machine Gun" Kelly staged the kidnapping-for-ransom of an Oklahoma oilman. He would live to regret it. Kelly was never the sharpest knife in the drawer, and what started clean soon became messy, as two of his partners cut themselves into the action; a determined former Texas Ranger makes tracking Kelly his mission; and Kelly's wife, ever alert to her own self-interests, starts playing both ends against the middle. The result is a mesmerizing tale set in the first days of the modern FBI, featuring one of the best femmes fatales in history - the Lady Macbeth of Depression-era crime - a great unexpected hero, and some of the most colorful supporting characters in recent crime fiction.

Critic Reviews:

Atkins brings to vivid life the henpecked George and the bloodthirsty Kathryn as he convincingly conjures up a past era. (Publishers Weekly)

Members Reviews:

Bringing the past to life

I didn't really know what to expect when I downloaded this book. I didn't read the blurb very well - to be honest, I just downloaded it in a three for two sale.

I was very pleasantly surprised, however. Ace Atkins writes great 'prohibition' prose (ok, it's set after prohibition, but you know what I mean) and Dick Hill, with his very deliberate, precise, narration places the drama beautifully in its historical context.

EXCELLENT!

Ace Atkins gives us an unprecedented view of a crime spree which lasted only a few months after the kidnapping of a rich oil man. George Kelly is portrayed as a weak criminal ruled by his overbearing, blood-thirsty wife Kathryn. Just about every major character and event of the era is woven into this rich story of murder, sex, crime, law enforcement, and greed. The supporting characters are just as colorful as Kelly and Kit. Lawman Gus Jones is a standout as well as the precocious child Geri Arnold, smoking Lucky Strikes and sipping Pabst Blue Ribbon beer.. The narrator elevates the whole story with his mastery of different voices. Well worth the price of admission!

Great Story; Annoying Narrator

Would you try another book from Ace Atkins and/or Dick Hill?

I might try another book by Ace Atkins, but I will not listen to another book narrated by Dick Hill. He is too affected for my taste.

What did you like best about this story?

I like the way Atkins takes well known historical crime figures and humanizes them.

How did the narrator detract from the book?

His narrating was too dramatic, too affected with great and many changes in volume which made my ears hurt.

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

Probably not.

Confused and Random

Couldn't have been more disappointed. The random plot seemed to have been lost almost from the beginning. The wild array of slightly developed characters were difficult to distinguish one from the other. I guess this was written to be a start of a movie script for quick sell. Perhaps the use of pictures would help bring forward clarity of the characters but not sure there is any help for the plot. Lack of plot doesn't seem to stand in the way of many movies these days.

Delivers just what it says on the box

I loved this book.

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Title: Heresy

Author: S. J. Parris

Narrator: John Lee

Format: Unabridged

Length: 13 hrs and 9 mins

Language: English

Release date: 02-23-10

Publisher: Random House Audio

Ratings: 3.5 of 5 out of 293 votes

Genres: Mysteries & Thrillers, Historical

Publisher's Summary:

Masterfully blending true events with fiction, this blockbuster historical thriller delivers a page-turning murder mystery set on the 16th-century Oxford University campus.

Giordano Bruno was a monk, poet, scientist, and magician on the run from the Roman Inquisition on charges of heresy for his belief that the Earth orbits the sun and that the universe is infinite. This alone could have got him burned at the stake, but he was also a student of occult philosophies and magic.

In S. J. Parris's gripping novel, Bruno's pursuit of this rare knowledge brings him to London, where he is unexpectedly recruited by Queen Elizabeth I and is sent undercover to Oxford University on the pretext of a royal visitation. Officially Bruno is to take part in a debate on the Copernican theory of the universe; unofficially, he is to find out whatever he can about a Catholic plot to overthrow the queen.

His mission is dramatically thrown off course by a series of grisly murders and a spirited and beautiful young woman. As Bruno begins to discover a pattern in these killings, he realizes that no one at Oxford is who he seems to be. Bruno must attempt to outwit a killer who appears obsessed with the boundary between truth and heresy.

Like The Dante Club and The Alienist, this clever, sophisticated, exceptionally enjoyable novel is written with the unstoppable narrative propulsion and stylistic flair of the very best historical thrillers.

Members Reviews:

I love Historical fiction

If you are a lover of historical fiction, and if you enjoy the narrations of John Lee (he is one my favorite narrators). The story line reminds me of Arianna Franklin's series Mistress in the Art of Death, or Ruth Downie's Medicus Series about physician in ancient Rome. I laugh when people complain about John Lee's narration and notice that they most likely never listened to BBC broad casts. I always suggest people listen to the preview that Audiable offers. This way you won't be wasting you $$$ or credits.

If you enjoy historical novels and are familiar with John Lee, by all means give it a listen. I always listen to unabridged versions, however I think the story was overly long and maybe the abridged version will work. The good thing is John Lee narrates both versions.

A Skeptic's Delight

Giordano Bruno--Renaissance intellectual and adventurer--makes a wonderful sleuth in this engaging mystery set in Elizabethan Oxford. The author's style is compelling, and his copious research does not weigh down the story; however, this is a book that requires attention, and is not necessarily a good choice for listening while working on an involved knitting pattern. John Lee does an excellent job with the narration.

Gripping

Bruno is a different kind of sleuth. He is less interested in the mystery than he is in science. Lucky for him the two are intertwined in this complicated plot. The historical details are many but put forth to involve the reader rather than to weigh the story down. It has a few slow spots but overall I enjoyed the book and the narration very much. I would read more by this author

Great atmosphere

Elizabethan Oxford, sixteenth century, political/religious conflict, and in sweeps the very real and humane Giordano Bruno. I loved his flaws and his ability to navigate in a world that he knows is full of hidden dangers. I thought John Lee was superb with the accents and the tone. Enjoyed this very much.

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Title: The Chase

Author: Clive Cussler

Narrator: Richard Ferrone

Format: Abridged

Length: 6 hrs and 2 mins

Language: English

Release date: 11-06-09

Publisher: Penguin Audio

Ratings: 4 of 5 out of 39 votes

Genres: Mysteries & Thrillers, Historical

Publisher's Summary:

A no-nonsense detective is on the trail of the sharpest and deadliest criminal mind he has ever encountered: a serial robber who murders any and all witnesses in cold-blood. Another remarkable adventure from the limitless imagination of Clive Cussler.

©2007 Clive Cussler; (P)2007 Penguin Audio

Critic Reviews:

"Cussler takes a breather from his several ongoing series with this historical thriller set in the western states, circa 1906. The U.S. government hires the renowned Van Dorn Detective Agency and its equally renowned lead agent, Isaac Bell, to capture the bank robber known as the Butcher Bandit....Once San Francisco gets hit by the 1906 earthquake and the principals climb aboard a pair of fire-breathing locomotives, the novel cranks up a head of steam and some high-speed thrills." (Publishers Weekly)

Members Reviews:

Great Audio Book

If you could sum up The Chase in three words, what would they be?

Exciting story, Beginning fit the ending. Very cool

Did the plot keep you on the edge of your seat? How?

Yes Just did not know how it would end.

Which character as performed by Richard Ferrone was your favorite?

Det Bell, very interesting personality

If you were to make a film of this book, what would be the tag line be?

Yes I could see it done and would like it to be an Detective Bell Series.

Any additional comments?

Super

Simplistic

My first and certainly last Cussler. This book consists of a sequence of clichés. The story has absolutely no originality, everything reads/sounds familiar. At the end of the 19th century some of the ideas might have been innovative (see Sherlock Holmes) but seriously writing this at the beginning of the 21st century is an insult to the reader. The characters are flat, stereotype and implausible. Very disappointing. Reader = OK.

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Title: The Rose Rent

Subtitle: The Thirteenth Chronicle of Brother Cadfael

Author: Ellis Peters

Narrator: Patrick Tull

Format: Unabridged

Length: 8 hrs and 34 mins

Language: English

Release date: 11-05-09

Publisher: Recorded Books

Ratings: 4.5 of 5 out of 144 votes

Genres: Mysteries & Thrillers, Historical

Publisher's Summary:

A wealthy widow rents her house to the Shrewsbury Abbey for the price of a single rose cut from the bush near the house. Shortly before the rent is due, the rosebush is destroyed and the widow kidnapped. Brother Cadfael must discover who stands to gain from these peculiar crimes.

Solve another medieval mystery with

.

©1986 Ellis Peters (P)1995 Recorded Books, LLC

Members Reviews:

Patrick Tull reads Ellis Peters ... Great!!!

I have been an Ellis Peters fan for many years, and I found the Books-on-Tape Brother Cadfael books, that were read by Patrick Tull, in my local library years ago. I was dissappointed to NOT find them at Audible when I became a member. I am now enjoying myself listening to them again as Audible aquires them.

Patrick Tull is a wonderful reader. He seems to really enjoy the very texture of Ellis Peters' words, and this makes the Brother Cadfael books even better than they already are.

Thanks Audible - and thanks for getting the Ellis Peters "Inspector Felse" mysteries, too. Please get ALL of the B-O-T Ellis Peters recordings!!!!

Med evil CSI

What made the experience of listening to The Rose Rent the most enjoyable?

Patrick Tull brings the characters to life. His accents are very good.

What did you like best about this story?

I find Cadfael to be an interesting individual.

Have you listened to any of Patrick Tulls other performances before? How does this one compare?

Yes, I enjoy his way of telling the story.

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

No

Any additional comments?

I Have read most of the Cadfael stories

A very compelling listen

I bought this book because I am a huge fan of narrator Patrick Tull. I had listened to his reading all the way through the Patrick OBrian Aubrey-Maturian series. I am glad I did buy it because I found this Brother Cadfael novel to be very entertaining. You have to hang in there a bit if you start with this book because you don't have any of the backstory. That said, once you sort out the characters the book stands alone apart from the rest of the series. I will go back and start reading this new series from the beginning.

Cadfael sees it through

Content with his choice? Only so long as God sees fit to send him puzzles. We'll done again, Ellis Peters.

Prefer other narrator!!!!!!

Great story as usual, but this narrator doesn't hold a candle to Stephen Thorne. All the characters sound alike, this is more just a "read-aloud" in a sing-song voice. Sadly, this seems to be the only recorded version of The Rose Rent". Don't know why there isn't a Thorne version ...but still love the series!!!

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Title: Winged Escort

Author: Douglas Reeman

Narrator: David Rintoul

Format: Unabridged

Length: 9 hrs and 17 mins

Language: English

Release date: 10-13-09

Publisher: Audible Studios

Ratings: 4 of 5 out of 31 votes

Genres: Mysteries & Thrillers, Historical

Publisher's Summary:

As the Second World War progresses, the destruction of Allied shipping mounts. Fighter pilot Tim Rowan is posted to an escort carrier to help guard the precious convoys. His adventures take him first to the Arctic and then the Indian Ocean.

©1977 Douglas Reeman; (P)2014 Audible, Inc.

Members Reviews:

Superb WW II fiction

Many years ago I read every book written by Douglas Reeman. Each book was an adventure and I never felt let down. Now I only listen to books.

It was wonderful to find that they selected a reader that really does justice to the works of Douglas Reeman.

I thoroughly enjoyed Winged Escort and look forward to the rest of his books being released.

By the way if you like the age of sail Douglas writes this era under the pen name of Alexander Kent which are also excellent and I'm glad to say now being released by Audible.

Fantastic Listen.

This book has a great story line, filled with intrigue, suspense and action.

It also has that touch of romance, which brings the human side of some of the characters out and the inhumane side of others.

It is very well read by David and Douglas, who has written many quality books has not dissapointed with this one.

Excellent

As usual Reeman does a great job of keeping the reader/listener gripped with his narrative and description. Rintoul as usual is an excellent narrator who appears the perfect match for Reemans stories