Listen to Popular Titles Audiobooks in Mysteries & Thrillers, Historical

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Title: The Devil's Company

Author: David Liss

Narrator: Simon Vance

Format: Unabridged

Length: 13 hrs and 49 mins

Language: English

Release date: 07-07-09

Publisher: Brilliance Audio

Ratings: 4 of 5 out of 199 votes

Genres: Mysteries & Thrillers, Historical

Publisher's Summary:

When Benjamin Weaver is blackmailed into stealing documents from the ruthless British East India Company, he soon discovers the theft of trade secrets is only the first move in a daring conspiracy within the 18th century's most powerful corporation. To save his friends and family, Weaver must infiltrate the company, navigate its warring factions, and uncover a secret plot of corporate rivals, foreign spies, and government operatives. With the security of the nation in the balance, Weaver will find himself in a labyrinth of hidden agendas, daring enemies, and unexpected allies.

With explosive action and scrupulous period research, The Devil's Company depicts the birth of the modern corporation, and is Liss's most impressive achievement yet.

Members Reviews:

Very involving story

You care about the characters in this story of a man caught in a web of other people's intrigues, and forced to act in the interest of a very nasty pair. the good guys are good folks. That's why you care. You care about the mystery. Nicely historical, the sights, sounds, smells, and almost the taste of the time and place.

I manufactured instances to listen

If you like Ken Follett

This is similar historical adventure with good setting detail, but it's better than Follett: Better dialogue, more plot twists, no campy sex scenes, no protagonist pathetically and perpetually victimized until final vindication. Lots of spy vs spy vs counterspy. The hero is more swashbuckling rough justice than I like, but I cheer anyone fighting The Corporation, even in 1722. Simon Vance narrates this novel well with his usual panache.

I'll download the next of the series, and I hope Audible features the first eventually.

Advantage of Vance

One reason I decided to give this second in the series a listen is Simon Vance, his voice has captured my attention in other books and I couldn't resist the experiment demonstrating the power of different narrators. The story starts out slowly, at one point I thought,'If Simon Vance can't make this book hold my attention no one can." About 1/4 of the way into the book I realized I really was hooked. I was trying to solve David Liss' involved plot! Our hero is still a rogue even while showing great compassion for his friends. I am not sure this book is worth the challenge but I am glad I listened.

Simon Vance made this work

Not horrible, not great.

Formulaic, beautiful spy, foppish friend, father figure, tough everyday righteous guy... You get the picture.

I had problems with the too numerous seemingly unneeded twists and turns, surprise for the sake of surprise if that makes any sense.

I was entertained if not engaged, Vance made that possible. His narration was outstanding!

Worth your time and money

While this wasn't my favorite book of all time, it definitely was a good read. I love a complicated plot and descriptions and while the plot was quite complicated, I thought too many of the plot twists were underdeveloped and just thrown in an attempt to appear more sophisticated. I really didn't care what happened to the main character by the end of the book. I cared more about his family and associates. The romance was completely unbelievable and a distraction from the story. There are so few good books out there, though that this one comes close enough to warrant the time and expense.

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Title: A Murder on the Appian Way

Subtitle: A Mystery of Ancient Rome

Author: Steven Saylor

Narrator: Scott Harrison

Format: Unabridged

Length: 16 hrs and 40 mins

Language: English

Release date: 05-07-09

Publisher: Blackstone Audio, Inc.

Ratings: 4 of 5 out of 75 votes

Genres: Mysteries & Thrillers, Historical

Publisher's Summary:

As accusations and rumors fly, Gordianus the Finder, whose famed investigative skills and integrity make him sought after by all sides in the escalating conflict, is charged by Pompey the Great with discovering what really happened. Who is really responsible for Clodius' death? And should his murderer be despised as a villain or hailed as a savior of the Republic?

Critic Reviews:

"In Steven Saylor's lively imagination, Rome - both glorious and grimy - is revived." (

Seattle Times)"The plotting is deft and the action - both physical and intellectual - is nonstop." (Amazon.com)

Members Reviews:

Great book, bad reader

I love Steven Saylor's books, I have read them all. So I was delighted to see this audio book in the Audible collection.

Unfortunately, I didn't check out the reader before purchasing the audiobook. The thought didn't even cross my mind as I am so use to having good readers on Audible.

The reader has a boring voice completely lacking any depth. He is unable to create different characters so I am constantly in doubt as to who is talking. Finally, his delivery is mechanical without any of the suspense or mystery that a good reader can offer.

My advice is to check out the audio sample for yourself. As for myself, I will stick with the actual books until a new reader comes through.

the WORST cold read EVER!!!!

I am a major Steven Saylor fan. Love the work. You can not imagine my disappointment upon hearing the DRY, Cold read by Scott Harrison. He pauses between every sentance as if figuring out the next words. Fraught with misspronounced words, and half assed characterizations, I just could NOT listen any more. I WANT MY MONEY BACK!!!!!

An older actor with a little gravitas is needed.

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

Actually, it was for me.

What was one of the most memorable moments of A Murder on the Appian Way?

The beginning.

How did the narrator detract from the book?

He sounded like a San Francisco bistro waiter. But seriously, Novels set in Rome are inherently alien. I think British actors are best at this as they impart enough separateness while being understandable. We are all now used to hearing Romans portrayed as British via I Claudius, etc. that it is oddly more natural.

If you could play editor, what scene or scenes would you have cut from A Murder on the Appian Way?

None that I can remember.

Painful to listen to.

Is there anything you would change about this book?

The narrator- I've read cookbooks he could read.

How did the narrator detract from the book?

Its was painful. His narrating sucked. "See Jane. See Jane run. Run Jane run. " That is how this entire book feels.

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

No

Any additional comments?

Very disappointed. This is the only Steven Saylor book I have listened to but it was so difficult to make it through because of the narrating I don't think I will get another.

Great Story - Terrible Narrator

I would have given this a 5 but for the narrator, Scott Harrison. He simply is one of the worst readers I have ever encountered. He not only tends to read with little expression, but he often mispronounces words which is very annoying. The fascinating story is a great look at Rome on the eve of the coming of Julius Caesar.

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Title: Nemesis

Subtitle: The Final Case of Eliot Ness

Author: William Bernhardt

Narrator: Mark Deakins

Format: Unabridged

Length: 9 hrs and 56 mins

Language: English

Release date: 01-13-09

Publisher: Random House Audio

Ratings: 3.5 of 5 out of 18 votes

Genres: Mysteries & Thrillers, Historical

Publisher's Summary:

In Chicago, Eliot Ness had created "the Untouchables" - the fabled team of federal agents who were beyond corruption and who finally put Al Capone behind bars. The headline-grabbing Ness has now been moved to Cleveland, where a new mayor desperately needs some positive publicity. The heroic, squeaky-clean Fed is the perfect man to become the city's director of public safety, but by the time Ness starts his new job, a killer has started a career of his own. And this man is as obsessed with blood and mayhem as Eliot Ness is obsessed with justice.

Though it's not his turf, Ness is forced to cross bureaucratic boundaries and take over the case, working with a dogged, street-smart detective and making enemies every step of the way. The more energy Ness pours into the investigation, the more it takes over his life, his marriage, even his untouchable reputation. Because in Cleveland, there is only one true untouchable: a killer who has the perfect hiding place and the perfect plan for destroying Eliot Ness.

Members Reviews:

An opportunity missed

Oh, dear, what comes first? A narrator who can't pronounce Cuyahoga or an author who has characters looking for the missing Amelia Earhart a year before the final takeoff or being treated according to Alcoholics Anonymous principles roughly 30 years before AA was formed? This is a good story but the total treatment seems like a movie of the week. The good guys are good, the bad guys are bad, all according to stereotypes--and Eliot Ness is conflicted. Gee! Sorry I spent money on this one.

That voice, that voice

This book has an interesting concept bringing real events, Elliott Ness and serial murder together in one read. This might even be a good book. But who can tell given how awful the reader is. Can't stand the emotionless voice that sounds flat and bored. Would love to hear this book with a different narrator at the helm.

A Good Read

An interesting departure for Bernhardt's (fellow Okie) normal stories - but good. Elliot Ness does not seem to be the "bigger than life" character as he is often represented in this story but entertaining none the less. Definitely recommended for Bernhardt's fans or Elliot Ness fans.

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Title: She Walks These Hills

Author: Sharyn McCrumb

Narrator: Sally Darling

Format: Unabridged

Length: 12 hrs and 41 mins

Language: English

Release date: 11-19-08

Publisher: Recorded Books

Ratings: 4.5 of 5 out of 90 votes

Genres: Mysteries & Thrillers, Historical

Publisher's Summary:

A murdered 18th-century pioneer woman and a present-day escaped convict haunt the same Appalachian wilderness in McCrumb's multilayered mystery.

©1994 Sharyn McCrumb; (P)1995 Recorded Books, LLC

Members Reviews:

excellent story teller

I am from East Tennessee and having discovered McCrumb feels like a homecoming. My only argument is the seeming concensus (even by characters not familiar with the aging induced by the prison system) that a man of the genetic stock in those mountains in his 60's is ancient. Then I stop to think that the generation I associate with the toughness of these hill people has, indeed, passed. My grandmother could have walked you through those mountains in her 60's - do not doubt it. But, those were heartier people who survived many things that would kill modern folks.

I read the story about Mary the elephant years ago while a student at UT Knoxville and could not listen to that part. At the time I read it, it felt like my soul had been savaged by the savegry that cannot die; it abides in the cruel ignorance of the human spirit, and it is timeless.

I adore Sally Darling's voice. Her voice does not reflect the East Tennessee accent, but I am, quite frankly, glad of that. My East Tennessee accent is rather flat and twangy. Darling's singsong lower Southern accent is beautiful.

McCrumb is a masterful story weaver.

An old murder meets the new face of Appalachia.

For those of us who've had to leave the mountains it carries the poignant loss of the land that we love. For others it explains that loss and relates an excellent story. The differences in social class are explored. As are the difficulties of the teen years. Both for those living the normal teen experience as well as those who stepped into adult roles too soon. I did have an issue with the reader. The cultured upper class accent didn't fit well in mouths of poor mountain people. Even with that it was an excellent listening experience.

Beloved Appalachia

I love the mix of Appalachian folklore and fiction in this book though I would prefer an Appalachain dialect from the reader.

History and mystery combine

Sharyn McCrumb is a gifted author. Her careful research and thoughtful introspective look at morality make her books haunting.

Very Good

I learned much and this book held my attention. It was also nice that a lot of it took place outside.

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Title: Dangerous Days

Author: Mary Roberts Rinehart

Narrator: Lynda Evans

Format: Unabridged

Length: 12 hrs and 59 mins

Language: English

Release date: 10-31-08

Publisher: Books in Motion

Ratings: 3 of 5 out of 6 votes

Genres: Mysteries & Thrillers, Historical

Publisher's Summary:

The darkening storm of the first World War threatens to tear apart the lives of a group of friends. At the eye of the storm is Clayton Spencer, an ambitious businessman, who must risk everything to be with the woman he loves.

©1919 Mary Roberts Rinehart; (P)2001 Books in Motion

Members Reviews:

Don't they have any editors?

This has to be Mary Roberts Rinehart's worst book, propaganda to make "slacker women" feel bad about themselves. Added to that, we have such glaring reading errors as "big, booming bass (rhymes with class) voice and fastiduous instead of fastidious. Ms. Evans is to be excused. She is an actress, but aren't there any editors who actually listened to the thing and could have corrected the boo-boo's.

Is it possible that they thought that only the errors made this reading interesting?

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Title: Seven Dials

Subtitle: A Charlotte and Thomas Pitt Novel

Author: Anne Perry

Narrator: Michael Page

Format: Unabridged

Length: 11 hrs and 34 mins

Language: English

Release date: 08-21-08

Publisher: Brilliance Audio

Ratings: 4.5 of 5 out of 125 votes

Genres: Mysteries & Thrillers, Historical

Publisher's Summary:

In the dead man's less-than-stellar reputation, Pitt finds hope. But in ancient Alexandria, where the victim was once an army officer, hope grows dim. For there, Pitt receives intimations of deadly entanglements stretching from Egyptian cotton fields to Manchester cotton mills, from the noxious London slum known as Seven Dials to the madhouse called Bedlam.

Meanwhile, in a packed courtroom at the Old Bailey, time is ticking away for Ayesha and Saville. With Pitt and his clients racing against the hangman, the trial reaches its pulse-pumping climax.

Members Reviews:

But what about -- ?

*** SPOILER AHEAD! ***

Love this series SO much, and the complexity of this novel's plot is sheer delight. But there's one little problem -- where are Daniel and Jemimah when a suspect is carrying on at high decibels

in the middle of the night? Not at Emily's house, or Great-aunt Vespasia's or Char!otte's mother's.

Maybe each is huddled up in bed shuddering, or turning over and assuming Papa had brought home work from the office?

Otherwise, an excellent book!

Good -- as usual

But did not care for the abrupt ending. I would have preferred a chapters or two closing but that -- given the series nature of the Pitt stories detract overmuch.

Love This Series; This One Book, Not So Much

This is a wonderful, fascinating series by Anne Perry. The earlier books narrated by the incomparable Davina Porter are an absolute treat to listen to. Michael Page does ok, but does suffer by comparison. The intrigue of most of these stories comes from the dramas that exist w/in upper class English society in the late 1800's. For some reason this book deviated from that sure fire formula and left me disappointed. However Charlotte and Thomas can become like old friends if you read/listen to these books in sequence -- and it's really hard to come down too hard on old friends. If you're interested in this book, your best bet is to start at the beginning of this series and get to know these interesting and complex characters as they grow and change.

Love This Series; This One Book, Not So Much

This is a wonderful, fascinating series by Anne Perry. The earlier books narrated by the incomparable Davina Porter are an absolute treat to listen to. Michael Page does ok, but does suffer by comparison. The intrigue of most of these stories comes from the dramas that exist w/in upper class English society in the late 1800's. For some reason this book deviated from that sure fire formula and left me disappointed. However Charlotte and Thomas can become like old friends if you read/listen to these books in sequence -- and it's really hard to come down too hard on old friends. If you're interested in this book, your best bet is to start at the beginning of this series and get to know these interesting and complex characters as they grow and change.

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Title: A Flag of Truce

Author: David Donachie

Narrator: Peter Wickham

Format: Unabridged

Length: 10 hrs and 2 mins

Language: English

Release date: 06-04-08

Publisher: ISIS Audio Books

Ratings: 4.5 of 5 out of 60 votes

Genres: Mysteries & Thrillers, Historical

Publisher's Summary:

With the fierce Siege of Toulon escalating in violence and the massing forces of the revolutionary army preparing to attack, Pearce is entrusted with the task of escorting 5,000 radical French sailors to a port on the Atlantic coast where they are to be set free. But when the assignment goes awry, it is up to Pearce and his trio of friends, the Pelicans, to prevent judicial murder...

Critic Reviews:

"High adventure and detection; cunningly spliced battle scenes which reek of blood and brine." (Literary Review)

Members Reviews:

A Rollicking Tale

I am now at book four in the John Pearce series and I am happy I discovered David Donachie.

The year is 1793 and John Pearce and friends have just returned from a successful mission in Corsica. The siege of Toulon is escalating in violence and the Revolutionary Army is preparing to attack. Pearce has been assigned to escort five thousand radical French sailors to a port on the Atlantic coast, where there are to be set free. As you can predict, the assignment goes awry.

The book is well written and well researched. Donachie brilliantly combines a gripping adventure with intricate historical detail of the French Revolution, in this case the Siege of Toulon, to explosive effect.

If you enjoy a good Royal Navy story set during the Napoleonic Wars this is a book for you. Peter Wickham narrated the book.

Cant wait to listen to the follow on

Peter's voices made the book. A story of how hard the Navy could be. Brilliant writing

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Title: The One from the Other

Author: Philip Kerr

Narrator: Jeff Harding

Format: Unabridged

Length: 12 hrs and 51 mins

Language: English

Release date: 02-20-08

Publisher: ISIS Audio Books

Ratings: 4.5 of 5 out of 14 votes

Genres: Mysteries & Thrillers, Historical

Publisher's Summary:

Then a woman seeks him out. Her husband has disappeared. She's not looking to get him back - he's a wanted man who ran one of the most vicious concentration camps in Poland. She just wants confirmation that he's dead. It's a simple enough job. But in post-war Germany, nothing is simple, and Bernie soon finds himself on the run, facing enemies on every side.

Critic Reviews:

"A brilliant transfer of a Chandler novel to postwar Germany." (Guardian)

"A superb crime novel...one of the most gripping and accomplished detective novels published so far this year." (Sunday Times)

"One of the great achievements of contemporary crime fiction....pure Chandler. Powerful and impressive." (Observer)

Members Reviews:

An excellent book

Philip Kerr writes fine thrillers, and this is one of his best.

The genre is what you might term a 'noir thriller' typified best perhaps by Raymond Chandler, but what gives the book its spice and bite is that the story is set in post-war central Europe. The formula works really well, and the author skillfully weaves into the plot the thread of moral ambivalence that must have characterised the times in that part of the world. The characters are well drawn, and Philip Kerr works in very plausible references to real life villains such as Eichmann. The central character, Bernie Gunther, is not painted as a perfect human being, which I think greatly adds to the story, which is meticulously plotted, written with great pace and verve, and put in a fascinating and interesting historical context.

Narration by Jeff Harding is well judged and paced and greatly enhances the listening pleasure.

Incidentally, this is the fourth book in a sequence (but can be easily read on its own).

Strongly recommended.

Post war shadowy nightmare.

Bernie Gunther is no man's fool - he knows there are evils that haunt post war Germany ... he was after all in the SS even though he was transferred to the Russian front as he wouldn't be complicit with mass murderers. He's a good ex-SS man and he knows that beneath the surface of his conquered nation there lies living proof of it's ghastly past. Philip Kerr has the magic of Jo Nesbo to be able to tell a story and suddenly surprise the reader by taking the plot off at a tangent. Just when you sigh and relax feeling Bernie Gunter has resolved a problem the writer takes us off in another direction and accelerates leaving us holding onto our hero's coattail. An added bonus is the no nonsense voice of Jeff Harding who brings life and a bucketful of hard bitten gravel to the character.

Brilliant

A great series and this is a particularly good one. An exciting, intricate and intriguing mystery, well told by Jeff Harding.

One of the best in an excellent series

What did you like most about The One from the Other?

As usual the historical issues woven into the story line are fascinating and informative; shockingly so, especially complicity of the CIA post war and the Catholic Church. The horrors of the camps in Poland/Ukraine are well known but probably not in such detail to most readers

What did you like best about this story?

There was genuine excitement

Which character as performed by Jeff Harding was your favourite?

No special favourite character as he gets into the skin of most very well.

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Title: The Meaning of Night

Subtitle: A Confession

Author: Michael Cox

Narrator: David Timson

Format: Unabridged

Length: 22 hrs and 9 mins

Language: English

Release date: 09-14-06

Publisher: Recorded Books

Ratings: 3.5 of 5 out of 296 votes

Genres: Mysteries & Thrillers, Historical

Publisher's Summary:

Glyver's path to reclaim his prize leads him from the depths of Victorian London, with its foggy streets, brothels, and opium dens, to Evenwood, one of England's most beautiful and enchanting country houses, and finally to a consuming love for the beautiful but enigmatic Emily Carteret. His is a story of betrayal and treachery, of death and delusion, of ruthless obsession and ambition. And at every turn, driving Glyver irresistibly onward, is his deadly rival: the poet-criminal Phoebus Rainsford Daunt.

The Meaning of Night is an enthralling novel that will captivate listeners right up to its final thrilling revelation. Thirty years in the making, this debut from Michael Cox has earned starred reviews from Booklist, Kirkus Reviews, and Publishers Weekly.

Critic Reviews:

"A masterful first novel and a must." (Booklist)

"[A] richly imagined thriller....Its exemplary blend of intrigue, history, and romance mark a stand-out literary debut." (Publishers Weekly)

"A bibliophilic, cozy, murderous confection out of foggy old England and a learned and remarkably entertaining treat." (Kirkus Reviews)

Members Reviews:

Almost but not quite....

It is true, this story is compelling and richly blessed with suspence. As a huge fan of Wilkie Collins, I loved this authors reach for Collins' sublime.. although it fell just short of its mark. In places it was tedious and several characters were abstract and distracting. The plot was wonderful, though a little predictable, and kept my attention enough that I found myself lurred into the main characters revenge. I was even coming up with ideas of my own!

Overall, I enjoyed this book and would recommend it to fans of Dickens and Collins or anyone who likes a good, deep, complex plot. Cox did a bang-up job and I look forward to listening to other books by him.

Prosaic and compelling

This first novel is indeed a feat of fiction, skillfully written and plotted. Although you can anticipate the subterfuge to come towards the end, where the story does get a bit melodramatic, the book succeeds in providing a solid story. It is quite long, but the characterizations are well done and it does have its clever twists and turns. The narration is good, although the reader's improvisation of female characters, especially Emily, is rather grating. All in all, a good listen.

Boring and predictable but great narrator

I loved the narrator, which is what kept me listening to this book even though I was pretty bored through most of it. The main character is narcissistic, slightly paranoid, grandiose and long-winded. He goes on and on about his "enemy" in a way that left me imaging an angry trollish man manically drumming his fingers together and laughing a melodramatic evil laugh.

The plot was also rather predictable and I figured out the twist as it were several hours before it happened. The last 4-5 hours were pretty enjoyable, which is why I gave the book 3 stars rather than something lower. This middle was tedious. Not one of my favorites. The language was melodious and the narrator was great.

Dickensian with a dark twist

If you like Dickens and mystery and long books and great narration, you will love this book. Obviously I like all of the above and thus liked this Cox offering very much. Highly recommended.

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Title: The Book of Fate

Author: Brad Meltzer

Narrator: Scott Brick

Format: Abridged

Length: 7 hrs and 39 mins

Language: English

Release date: 08-25-06

Publisher: Hachette Audio

Ratings: 3.5 of 5 out of 49 votes

Genres: Mysteries & Thrillers, Historical

Publisher's Summary:

Eight years later, Boyle is spotted, alive and well, in Malaysia. In that moment, Wes has the chance to undo the worst day of his life. Trying to figure out what really happened takes Wes back to a decade-old presidential crossword puzzle, mysterious facts buried in Masonic history, and a 200-year-old code invented by Thomas Jefferson.

But what Wes doesn't realize is that The Book of Fate holds everyone's secrets. Especially the ones worth dying for. The Book of Fate. What does it say about you?

Critic Reviews:

"Meltzer's many fans will enjoy this substantial meal of a book." (Publishers Weekly)

"Skillfully written...the plot fluidly integrates historical fact and fiction....Fans of thrillers that reach far back into history will be, well, thrilled." (Booklist)

Members Reviews:

Houston

A decent story, very similar to Dan Brown writings, from what I hear it is on the same basis as Dan's new novel DC part II (Solomons Key) or whatever the title to be. Predictable but enticing.

Just a so so story

Nothing about the story line interested me. The story seemed to go nowhere.

pretty good

overall it was pretty good, but I think it was about hillary and her crocked ways.

Far Fetched

I am glad I downloaded the abridged version. The premise was far fetched that so many different federal agencies could conspire together to coverup murders and corruption and keep it quiet for years. The center of the implausible conspiracy begins at a highly publicized event, but no one seems to notice. The Free Mason's have a passing cameo appearance. I was glad when it was over. I enjoyed some of his earlier work.