New outings from Stephen King, Laurie R. King, and Craig Johnson—all rendered expertly as audiobooks—mean that series fans have lots to look forward to. Plus, two fresh cozies with appealing plots, charming sleuths, and pitch-perfect narration are ideal for shoulder-season listening.
NEVER FLINCH: Holly Gibney, Book 4
by Stephen King | Read by Jessie Mueller, Stephen King [Afterword]
AudioFile Earphones Award
[Simon & Schuster Audio | 14.75 hrs.]
Jessie Mueller provides a rich, satisfying performance that should please fans of King’s audiobooks, particularly his most recent works. By now, King has fully embraced the detective genre. Private investigator Holly Gibney is back—with her dizzying intellect, ability to think through tough cases, and relatable quirks. Mueller fully embodies the many diverse voices that make up Gibney’s world of the Finders Keepers detective agency, including characters who break into song.
KNAVE OF DIAMONDS: Mary Russell and Sherlock Holmes, Book 19
by Laurie R. King | Read by Amy Scanlon, Steven Crossley, Jefferson Mays
AudioFile Earphones Award
[Recorded Books | 9.5 hrs.]
Mary Russell’s favorite uncle, Jake, turns up at her door after many years of absence. Mary finds herself caught between loyalties to her world-famous husband, Sherlock Holmes, and her ne’er-do-well uncle. Top–notch performances in alternate sections by Amy Scanlon, Steven Crossley and Jefferson Mays make King’s latest Russell/Holmes outing sound like a full-cast audiobook. An unsolved case surrounding the theft of the Irish Crown Jewels takes center stage in this entertaining mystery.
RETURN TO SENDER: Walt Longmire, Book 21
by Craig Johnson | Read by George Guidall
AudioFile Earphones Award
[Recorded Books | 9 hrs.]
Golden Voice George Guidall masterfully draws listeners into Sheriff Walt Longmire’s search for a missing woman in the dramatic landscape of Wyoming’s Red Desert. Guidall’s ability to modulate his voice to seamlessly differentiate male and female characters enhances the twists and turns of the story. Craig Johnson’s vivid descriptions are matched by Guidall’s pitch-perfect pacing and tone, both of which transport listeners to remarkable corners of America they may never visit. A wonderful addition to the long-running series.
A MURDER FOR MISS HORTENSE
by Mel Pennant | Read by Debra Michaels
AudioFile Earphones Award
[Random House Audio | 11.75 hrs.]
Debra Michaels’s performance takes full advantage of the descriptive scenes and energetic dialogue in this first novel from playwright Mel Pennant. Thirty years ago, Miss Hortense, who immigrated to the UK from Jamaica in 1960, was the backbone of her suburban Birmingham neighborhood. When there’s a murder in the community, Miss Hortense must use her skills to save the day. Michaels’s facility with Caribbean accents—along with her cadence, humor, and ability to capture the wide-ranging personalities herein—makes this a thoughtful cozy.
MURDER TAKES A VACATION
by Laura Lippman | Read by Kimberly Farr
[Harper Audio | 10 hrs.]
Kimberly Farr delivers a pitch-perfect performance in this cozy mystery featuring widowed Mrs. Muriel Blossom. Just when she needs a fresh start, Muriel finds a winning lottery ticket and sets off for a Seine River cruise. On her way to Paris she meets the gentlemanly Allan. When she discovers that Allan has died, Muriel is unwittingly pulled into the investigation. Farr masterfully captures Muriel’s humility and sweet naïveté, enhancing this lighthearted, twisty mystery with charm and warmth.
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