Some big names are back with gripping new crime audiobooks, including Michael Connelly, Walter Mosley, and Karin Slaughter. Their latest endeavors get expert narrations that ramp up the tension and make even the twistiest plots a cinch to follow. Plus, a new installment of a favorite cozy series, and an audio original that makes full use of the audio format.
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THE PROVING GROUND: A Lincoln Lawyer Novel
by Michael Connelly | Read by Peter Giles
AudioFile Earphones Award
[Hachette Audio | 10.75 hrs.]
Michael Connelly proves that the criminal defense attorney Mickey Haller, aka the Lincoln Lawyer, has successfully jumped to the civil side with this riveting courtroom drama. Connelly’s plot explores the potential dangers AI presents for vulnerable young people while vividly situating events in wildfire-scorched Los Angeles. Connelly’s genius for real-life drama and the creation of compelling characters, coupled with narrator Peter Giles’s talent for ratcheting up tension and delivering emotion, makes for a totally engaging addition to the series.
GRAY DAWN: Easy Rawlins, Book 17
by Walter Mosley | Read by Michael Boatman, Walter Mosley [Note]
AudioFile Earphones Award
[Hachette Audio | 9.5 hrs.]
It’s 1970s Los Angeles, and detective Easy Rawlins’s life is slow and laid-back, but he feels an underlying restlessness. Narrator Michael Boatman deftly portrays this ennui but soon shifts into hero mode. A missing person case involving a woman with a troubled past falls into his hands, and a tense and twisting plot unfolds. Boatman shifts from one colorful character to the next with aplomb as secrets and identities are revealed.
MURDER ON THE MARLOW BELLE: Marlow Murder Club, Book 4
by Robert Thorogood | Read by Nicolette McKenzie
AudioFile Earphones Award
[Recorded Books | 9.25 hrs.]
When the body of Oliver Beresford washes ashore with two bullet holes in it, the three indomitable belles of Marlowe are on the case. Narrator Nicolette McKenzie’s sparkling performance amplifies the charm of this cozy mystery. Her distinctive portrayals capture the warmth and wit of the trio: Judith, the eloquent and plucky 79-year-old leader; Suzie, the incorrigible, spirited dog walker; and Becks, the vicar’s wife, whose empathy and diplomacy ground the group.
WE ARE ALL GUILTY HERE: North Falls, Book 1
by Karin Slaughter | Read by Kathleen Early
[Harper Audio | 16.5 hrs.]
Narrator Kathleen Early delivers a consummate performance of this complex crime novel, skillfully voicing every character—ranging from a sulky teen to a swaggering drunk—with distinction. The mystery begins with the disappearance of two teenagers during a July 4th celebration. Early’s clarity and control keep the narrative seamless, even as surprises abound. Overall, a thorny police procedural with soap-opera-quality relationships is delivered masterfully.
THE END OF THE SKI SEASON
by Anna Snoekstra | Read by Anna Skellern, Billy Mcpherson, Ella James, Erik Thomson, Jay Laga’Aia, Senuri Chandrani, Socratis Otto
[Penguin Audio | 4.75 hrs.]
A full cast delivers a gripping listening experience in this fast-paced audio exclusive. Australian journalist Chrissy, a new mom, stumbles upon a photograph linked to a decades-old cold case. Sound effects like the beeping of recording equipment, falling rain, and blowing snow enhance the drama and atmosphere. Main narrator Anna Skellern shines as she captures Chrissy’s balancing act of caring for her infant while relentlessly pursuing the case. A versatile supporting cast keeps listeners guessing as they skillfully move the story forward.
AudioFile Magazine—About: AudioFile is the place to discover more about audiobooks. Every day, its reviews and recommendations tell you which audiobooks are worth your listening time. AudioFile reviews about 50 audiobooks a week, features narrator profiles, and awards exceptional performances with AudioFile’s Earphones Awards. AudioFile publishes in print, newsletters, and a blog, and podcasts daily recommendations on Behind the Mic with AudioFile Magazine.
