Audio Book Reviews: Week of 3/30/09

When two dead bodies show up in the Swedish town of Ystad, the aging and disheartened police detective Kurt Wallander begins to investigate the murders as the press attacks his reputation. Mankell delivers a solid mystery with excellent buildup and dynamic characters, and Dick Hill's delivery keeps the tension taut through the story. Hill's gruff voice perfectly brings the downtrodden Wallander to life, but other characters' voices are sometimes unconvincing. Hill uses the same tone and pitch for all characters, rendering men and women confusingly interchangeable. The liberal use of audible sighs, snorts and chortles pull listeners deep into the narrative, and Hill should also be commended for his smooth reading of Swedish names and places. A Vintage paperback. (Apr.)

John Lee brings a strong sense of character and place to Cain's sequel to his acclaimed 2008 thriller, The Accident Man. In this installment, assassin Samuel Carver is in a sanitarium, having suffered life-threatening injuries while saving his girlfriend, former Russian agent Alix Petrova, from her former handlers. Nearly catatonic and amnesiac, Carver uses his considerable deadly talents in his quest to find Alix, who has gone missing. Along the way they become entangled with Soviet mobsters, a billionaire Texan zealot, nuclear weapons and possibly Armageddon itself. Lee's dignified English accent fits this international thriller perfectly. His narration is confident and assured and hits all the right notes, whether presenting a car chase, a pitched gun battle or a tender love scene. Moving swiftly between multiple characters and locales, Lee keeps the listener immersed and enthralled in a dizzying world of action and danger. A Viking hardcover (Reviews, Jan. 5). (Mar.)

Veteran actor Roger Allam brings an impressive range and energy to Archer's historical novel. The tale finds its inspiration in the real-life mystery surrounding adventurer George Mallory, who may—or may not—have reached the summit of Mount Everest in 1924 before perishing in the ice and snow. Allam's remarkable accents are the highlight of the audio book, especially in his brief but highly memorable turn as a colorful American agent who organizes a rather exploitative and ethically dubious publicity tour for Mallory. Allam also shines in his portrayal of Mallory's devoted wife, Ruth, who chooses to mask her doubts and fears in order to support her husband's lifelong dream of climbing to the highest point on the planet. Admittedly, Archer's text offers a hero who would rather explore mountains than the depths of moral or psychological complexity, but Allam's performance renders the listening experience entertaining. A St. Martin's hardcover (Reviews, Jan. 5). (Mar.)

Scott Brick brings the perfect tone to Epperson's noir tale of mobsters, molls and murder in 1930s Los Angeles. “Two Gun” Danny Layton is literally a man without a past: an amnesic and reluctant gangster, he can't figure out how he came to work for psychotic crime boss Bud “The Kind One” Seitz—or how he fell in love with Bud's girl, Darla. Brick brings a subdued sense of melancholy to his portrayal of Layton, capturing the amnesiac's conflict between what he thinks he knows and what he feels. Weaving world-weariness into each character's voice, he brilliantly recreates the shadowy glamour of Depression-era Los Angeles. A Five Star hardcover (Reviews, Oct. 1). (Feb.)

Carrington MacDuffie brings Baker's sprawling debut title to life with a thorough attention to detail and excellent ability to convey the rustic local color of rural upstate New York without falling into stock caricatures. Protagonist Truly Plaice—whose size and stature isolate her from daily social life in the provincial community—never loses her grit and determination in spite of all the heartache she endures. MacDuffie's talent shines in her portrayal of Truly's childhood friend Amelia Dyerson, whose mute interactions with the outside world belie her scrappy survival skills and emotional depth. MacDuffie also brings skill and insight to the male figures, particularly Truly's menacing brother-in-law, Doctor “Bob-Bob” Morgan. The transitions make for a sometimes challenging listening experience, but MacDuffie does justice to the ambitious project. A Grand Central hardcover (Reviews, Sept. 8). (Feb.)

Rising and falling in steady rhythm, soothing even when the story unsettles and surprises, Grover Gardner's voice is a fine instrument. He delivers a stellar rendition of Boyle's reimagining of Frank Lloyd Wright's tortured relationships with his wives and lovers—and his obsession with Taliesin, his home in Wisconsin, which suffered no less than the architect or his women. Gardner, a regular prize-winner who's done more than 650 audiobooks, is familiar to audio listeners, but he strikes new notes, hurdling over difficult names and nimbly skipping from character to character. Readers will be entirely immersed in the hothouse world of the architect and his women. A Viking hardcover (Reviews, Nov. 17). (Feb.)

Celebrated British narrator and actor Ralph Cosham brings this wonderful murder mystery to life and draws in listeners with his charisma. Penny's taut, darkly comedic tale features the Finney family, which has gathered for the installation of a statue of their long-dead patriarch. When the statue falls and kills one of his daughters, Insp. Armand Gamache (Cosham at his very best) must unravel the plot before it's too late. Cosham's characters are refreshingly original and never overplayed, and the Old World quality of his voice invokes radio murder mysteries from decades past, creating an endlessly entertaining listening experience. A Minotaur hardcover (Reviews, Nov. 10). (Feb.)

Berry's debut novel stars Charles Unwin, a clerk for the famous detective Travis Sivart, whose own promotion to detective is followed by a series of bewildering events. Sivart goes missing, the supervisor of the detectives turns up dead and Unwin is left to solve the many mysteries. Pete Larkin is perfectly suited for this whimsical, Kafkaesque noir; his smooth and sympathetic narration makes the bizarre twists perfectly logical and sensible. He also provides homage to the hard-boiled staples: the seasoned detective, the naïve but clever clerk, the eager assistant, the brutish thugs, the sinister mastermind and the femme fatale. The strength of the story and the talent of the reader mesh beautifully. A Penguin Press hardcover (Reviews, Dec. 8). (Feb.)

From the vault of horror master King comes a terrifying tale of Desperation, Nev., a place ruled by a maniacal man in uniform and haunted by deadly secrets. In true King fashion, the story features a small cast of likable yet deeply flawed protagonists that may or may not make it to the final page in one piece. Narrator Kathy Bates, who won the Best Actress Oscar for her performance in the film adaptation of King's Misery, takes the reins and holds listeners rapt from start to finish. Bates has the inherent ability to make anything, no matter how over the top, sound realistic and immediate. A Signet paperback. (Feb.)

Hunted throughout the galaxy by the Honored Matres, the Bene Gesserit clan fends off its attackers while attempting to morph a green world into the sand planet needed to harvest the sought-after spice. Thus begins the complicated finale in the Dune series. Longtime readers will fall right into step with the continuing saga while newcomers will be overwhelmed, particularly in this production: the complex names of technology, characters and groups challenges getting oriented. But the talented cast—Euan Morton, Katherine Kellgren, Scott Brick and Simon Vance—do yeoman's labor. Each reads from a different point of view, a move that could easily be confusing but for the superb direction. A Putnam hardcover. (Feb.)

When two people are found dead in the Alaskan town of Niniltna, part-time private investigator Kate Shugak is called in to solve the case. A new mining company might be involved—but with so many people turning up dead, Shugak finds herself scrabbling for leads. Featuring highly original and well-drawn characters, the novel is yet another triumph for author Stabenow and an excellent platform for narrator Marguerite Gavin to showcase her talent. Her emotionally charged and intimate reading moves seamlessly from suspenseful scenes to Kate's domestic drama with her foster son and state trooper boyfriend. Through every plot twist, Gavin keeps listeners tightly hooked and empathetic toward to the characters. A Minotaur hardcover (Reviews, Dec. 1). (Feb.)

Huston's darkly comic slice of Southern California noir is filled with distinctive characters that leap from the page and, thanks to Paul Michael Garcia's remarkable versatility, speak in equally arresting voices. Chief among them is Web Goodhue, the novel's narrator, a slacker forced by circumstance into temp work with a crew that mops up messy postmortem residue. Just as Huston makes the outwardly obnoxious and brutally snarky protagonist sympathetic, Garcia layers self-doubt, sensitivity and intelligence beneath the arrogance and an overriding humanity that Web attempts to mask with his misanthropic (often very funny) remarks. The other characters are equally well matched vocally: Web's father speaks with the boozy rasp of a self-loathing alcoholic; Po Sin, the massive boss of the Clean Team, has a deep and rumbling delivery; and femme fatale Solidad tries to hide her naïveté behind hard-boiled banter. Throw in a gallery of motor mouth crazies, flat-voiced killers and Web's amazingly tolerant best friend Chev, and you have a thrilling and smartly enacted audio package. A Ballantine hardcover (Reviews, Nov. 10). (Jan.)

Former Gunnery Sergeant Coughlin teams up with Davis to offer yet another wartime novel that thrills with its realistic depictions of combat. Sgt. Kyle Swanson has returned to duty, emerging from undercover to stop a terrorist group that possess a weapon so deadly it threatens the entire planet. Scott Sowers steps into Swanson's boots and delivers a gritty and intense reading. More than merely doing justice to the earnest narrative, Sowers fully inhabits his role, and his performance is riveting. A St. Martin's hardcover (Reviews, Jan. 12). (Mar.)

John Dossett's crisp and polished delivery is a natural fit for Johnson's no-nonsense style of motivational storytelling. Dossett chooses to understate the pathos, projecting a tone of wistful contemplation instead of heavy drama. Both the story and the narrative within the story surround dialogue between a weary day-to-day corporate warrior and a seasoned sage who offers a broader perspective on our familiar notions of success, achievement and happiness. In light of the current economic climate, listeners will find the messages timely, even if the paradigm shifts may not seem especially original. As an added bonus, the audio book includes an interview with the author sharing how he strives to keep the public focused on his message instead of elevating him into a celebrity business guru. A Simon and Schuster hardcover. (Mar.)

“How is it that you receive dozens of personal e-mails and texts every day but have nothing do come Saturday night?” Author and narrator Martinet gets to the bottom of the paradox that while the world is more connected than ever, many people are still isolated. The book presents practical suggestions for brushing up social skills, becoming more confident and seeking out fulfilling friendships. Martinet's ability to read with warmth and authority makes listeners feel they are receiving good advice from a trusted and wise confidante. Her delivery conveys care and concern, and she is excellent at addressing her audience's concerns and alleviating anxieties. This is one listening experience that may just change your life. A Stewart, Tabori & Chang hardcover. (Mar.)

Zen monk Nanh offers his insights into love as private emotion and public force in his thought-provoking guide to Buddhism's four key aspects of love. Narrator James Gimian, a Buddhist himself, relates Hanh's ideas with admirable clarity. However, listeners may find themselves struggling to get through the entire recording as Gimian's delivery is fairly monotonous. For those able to focus on the message rather than the medium, there is much to be gained by repeated listening. A Shambhala hardcover. (Mar.)

Fisher's larger-than-life personality shines through as she performs her raucous memoir with all the panache of the standup routine that inspired the book. Her comedic talents are on full display—particularly in her diagram of Hollywood inbreeding that ends with the ironic punch line that Fisher's teenage daughter is now flirting with the grandson of Elizabeth Taylor, who broke up Fisher's parents' marriage in the 1950s. As Fisher romps through her own affairs and marriages, and her bouts with alcoholism and drug abuse, she manages to see the funny side in all of it, even bipolar disorder (she calls her manic side Roy and her depressed alter ego Pam, after “piss and moan”). She does a fantastic impersonation of her mother, Debbie Reynolds, and an uproarious sendup of George Lucas, who wouldn't let her wear a bra in Star Wars because he was adamant that there was no underwear in space. A Simon & Schuster hardcover (Reviews, Nov. 3). (Feb.)

Bestselling author and television host Smiley picks up where he left off in his previous book to offer a critical look at the problems facing America and to grade the government (and society at large) on its efforts to substantively confront them. Ever the consummate professional, Smiley delivers his message of hope and promise with a commanding tone that demands his audience's attention. His candid and polished reading gives his political messages an arresting personal touch. An Atria paperback. (Feb.)

Journalist and broadcaster Ifill offers a stellar analysis of the black political structure and its future in American politics. President Obama is featured but does not dominate the text; Ifill focuses more intently on such figures as Rev. Jesse Jackson and Newark, N.J., mayor Cory Booker, as well as Gov. Deval Patrick of Massachusetts. As a reader, Ifill is professional, authoritative but never stuffy, impassioned but never biased. Listeners will be rewarded by a well-researched, well-narrated take on the implications of President Obama's election on the strongholds of African-American political power. A Doubleday hardcover (PW Daily, Jan. 16). (Feb.)

Former New York Times journalist Beauchamp offers a fascinating inside look at the reign of moviemaking king Joseph P. Kennedy, who held sway over the industry from 1926 to 1930. Kennedy was responsible for creating some of the most renowned movies; he plucked iconic stars from obscurity and transformed the business forever. Pam Ward delivers a solid performance, presenting Beauchamp's findings with a straightforward, journalistic tone. Neither over the top nor monotonous, Ward relates the material with an ear for old Hollywood-speak without sounding forced or mechanical. The result is an entertaining and incredibly informative listening experience. A Knopf hardcover (Reviews, Dec. 1). (Feb.)

Blair Hardman brings competent and generally pleasant—if not particularly animated or memorable—delivery to this practical collection of tips and tricks. The content itself—divided into 50 minichapters—proves ready-made for the audiobook format. Listeners with short commutes can sample a tidbit or two on each leg of their journey and not find the listening disjointing, though the concluding sections devoted to the nuances of cross-cultural persuasive communication may not be quite as easily digested as the more general findings and insights. Fans of Freakonomics and The Tipping Point form a built-in audience for whom the relevance of the material will likely trump any concerns about the dry presentation. A Free Press hardcover (Reviews, Apr. 14). (Feb.)

Originally a bestseller, this classic by the late Studs Terkel addresses the challenges of aging and offers a variety of remarkable firsthand accounts by individuals at the end of their lives. Allen Hamilton and Shirley Venard share reading duties, with each offering their own take on these stories that are alternately humorous, uplifting, heartbreaking and motivational. Hamilton is a true standout: his steady voice is indifferent to time constraints as he devotes himself fully to each story, conveying Terkel's awe at how far society has come and how much further we must go. A New Press hardcover. (Jan.)

Buckley worked on this book—commemorating his 30-relationship with Ronald Reagan—up to his final days. He struggles to paint a picture of a more private Reagan, but the book sheds little fresh insight; instead, it is a scattershot compilation of Buckley's reminiscences and reprinted correspondence between the author and Ronald and Nancy Reagan. Malcolm Hillgartner performs a good balancing act, shifting from the essays to the letters with subtle changes that clearly indicate whose letter is being read. His most impressive feat is creating a clear yet subdued voice within the reading to indicate when footnotes or asides for clarification are being made. A Basic Books hardcover. (Jan.)

In narrating Vincent's infiltration (and exposé) of three mental health institutions, Tavia Gilbert, the very versatile performer of both children's and adult audios, strikes all the right notes. She neutrally notes the author's observations of the various environs and delivers an outraged denunciation of the subhuman living conditions and sympathy for the hapless inmates, who, unlike Vincent, rarely if ever escape the system. Gilbert's tone is firm and brisk; a perfect vessel for the depressing litany of indignities to which the mentally ill are subjected. The skillful narration will help even the queasy wend their way to the end of this important work. A Viking hardcover (Reviews, Sept. 29). (Jan.)