Audio Book Reviews: 10/26/2009

After a honeymoon that includes a trip to Paris to see an exhibit of self-mutilating art, Dexter—a blood-spatter expert for the Miami PD and a serial killer who hunts killers who have evaded justice—teams up with his sister, a Miami PD sergeant, to search for a killer with a taste for gruesome postmortem artistic displays. Nick Landrum delivers a solid reading that evokes the exterior plainness of Dexter while also revealing his sinister inner self. He makes the paradox of Dexter's personality believable, conveying the character's quotidian normalcy and the brooding and deliberate murderous instinct simmering below the surface. Distinct and consistent character voices keep the production enjoyable. A Doubleday hardcover (Reviews, June 29). (Sept.)

This dark study of pride is a pivotal—if unappreciated—work in Dickens's oeuvre. Dickens focuses on the Dombey family, eschewing his idiosyncratic panoramic scope and ensemble casts. David Timson is a dream casting; he endows each character with depth, personality and pathos, again displaying why he is a perennial favorite in audio narration. This abridgment offers about one-third of the full text, which will serve the casual listener well without burdening their wallet or commandeering the listening schedule. (Sept.)

Science fiction author Goodkind takes a new approach to the modern-day thriller in this fantastic tale featuring Alex, a down-and-out artist set to inherit a fortune on his 27th birthday. The catch is that Alex is set to inherit his mother's insanity as well, which overcame her when she reached the same age. Mark Deakins proves a master storyteller; his strong performance shines with excellent stage presence from start to finish. Deakins speaks in a strong, commanding tone and is a virtuoso at accents and dialects—and Goodkind gives him plenty of each to play with. A Putnam hardcover (Reviews, June 22). (Sept.)

Law enforcement categorizes killers on a scale of one to 25, with 25 being the sadistic psychopath. However, one brutal serial killer, code-named “Sqweegel,” has earned his own special designation of Level 26. Only one man—federal agent Steve Dark—has ever gotten close to catching him, but the effort cost Dark the lives of his foster family and drove him into self-imposed retirement. Now the agency wants him back on the case and, it would seem, so does Sqweegel. John Glover has a wonderful time narrating Zuiker's debut thriller; his committed delivery runs the gambit from serious to lighthearted, maniacal to deadly serious. Even if the story leans toward the cliché and the breaks directing listeners to webisodes are intrusive and irritating, the delivery is engrossing. It should be noted that some sections of the book are disturbing, and Glover's performance only makes them doubly so. Not for the fainthearted. A Dutton hardcover. (Sept.)

Bagshawe masterfully channels Sheldon in this sequel to his Master of the Game. A generation has passed and Kate Maxwell's grandchildren are ready to take control of the family business. With such ruthless protagonists, each more conniving and underhanded than the last, Bagshawe creates a suspenseful atmosphere in which anything can happen. Such a novel is a narrator's playground, and the gifted Karen Ziemba delivers. She portrays each character in a fresh and original light, while maintaining Bagshawe's slightly soap opera feel. Upbeat and intense, Ziemba invites listeners to come and play, and it's never been more fun. A Morrow hardcover (Reviews, June 29). (Sept.)

As the 12th novel starring Dr. Temperance Brennan opens, the forensic anthropologist awakens to find herself entombed and tied up. While struggling to free herself, she recalls her most recent case, concerning a potential serial killer of elderly women, and her gradual awareness that an unknown enemy is trying to undermine her professionally and personally. Linda Emond ably embodies the brilliant but socially awkward Temperance. She makes a subtle but effective effort to indicate other voices and produces a convincing French accent when necessary (much of the action takes place in Montreal). Emond also ensures that the pace doesn't flag when Reichs takes quick timeouts from the narrative for a human anatomy lesson. A Scribner hardcover (Reviews, June 15). (Aug.)

Edward Hardwicke, who played Dr. Watson to the late Jeremy Brett's Sherlock Holmes in the celebrated television series, is in top form for this second installment of Conan Doyle's classic mystery stories. Hardwicke's narration is perfect as he again brings to life the lovable Watson and guides the listener through some of Holmes's most exciting and intriguing cases: the adventures of the Sussex Vampire, Creeping Man, Speckled Band, Crooked Man, Greek Interpreter and Naval Treaty. As the great detective gathering clues, utilizing his famed methods and unraveling each mystery, Hardwicke provides a superlative rendering of these treasured stories, which might leave listeners longing to hear Brett's Holmes reply to Hardwicke's Watson, and creates an audio book that will be adored by Holmes fans and provide newcomers with a compelling introduction to the gentlemen at 221B Baker St. (Aug.)

In Edgar Award–nominated Robinson's 1991 book, the first in a series featuring British inspector Alan Banks, readers meet Banks as he moves to Yorkshire seeking peace of mind. His retirement is short-lived as a contemporary Jack the Ripper begins prowling the countryside. Mark Honan delivers a powerful and affecting performance that will make Banks a favorite for years to come. Honan's stage presence and pitch-perfect dialect compose a stirring atmosphere filled with all sorts of odd occurrences and evil events. A truly compelling listen. An Avon paperback. (Aug.)

William Dufris handles this book as it was intended—as a sendup of several genres. He brings to life Tinti's family of orphans, grave robbers, scam artists, drunks and assorted freaks, narrating as though telling terrifying tales to Boy Scouts around a campfire. His children are squeaky-voiced, his adults harsh and raspy. He moves easily through successions of melodramatic scenes alternately ghoulish, maudlin, violent, gothic and hokey. Adults who love high camp and young adults who savor tales of blood and gore will eat it up. A Dial hardcover. (Aug.)

Joe Barrett captures the humor and sorrow of Irving's classic novel about faith, friendship and fate. We follow the adventures of diminutive Owen Meany and his best friend Johnny Wheelwright as they grapple with life, death and devotion and come of age in the small town of Gravesend, N.H. Barrett deftly portrays a host of strange and wonderful characters as Owen commandeers the local Christmas pageant, battles with an autocratic headmaster and fulfills what he believes to be his destiny. Faced with the unenviable task of capturing the singular voice of the titular character (in the novel, Owen's dialogue is capitalized to represent his strident, squeaking speech), Barrett produces a workmanlike rendition of Owen that, while not perfect, grows on listeners as the story unfolds. True to the spirit of the text, Barrett's masterful rendition is a delight. A Morrow hardcover. (Aug.)

Martin Jarvis again lends his talents to the works of Wodehouse, this time delivering an outstanding rendition of the misadventures of Bertie Wooster and his indispensable valet, Jeeves. We follow Bertie from one madcap exploit to the next, as he and Jeeves attempt to navigate a wacky world replete with love triangles, meddling aunts and irate chefs, and populated by the likes of Gussie Fink-Nottle, the renowned newt fancier; the gluttonous Tuppy Glossop; and the loopy Madeline Bassett. When a controversial addition to the young master's wardrobe begins to undermine Bertie's relationship with Jeeves, will Bertie be able to go it alone and extricate himself from imbroglio after imbroglio? Jarvis shines; his portrayal of Bertie, Jeeves and the entire bizarre cast is meticulous. (Aug.)

A talented ensemble cast brings to life Stoppard's classic play featuring the loves and loves lost of playwright Henry; his wife, Charlotte; an actor named Max; and his activist wife, Annie. Featuring a play within a play, this production is superbly performed if slightly confusing in audiobook format—it's often difficult to keep track of who is speaking and to keep track of the endlessly reconfiguring relationships. Henry searches for meaning both in art and romantic relationships as he attempts to write a play about his love for Annie and begrudgingly ghostwrites a play for Brodie, an incarcerated soldier and talentless, aspiring playwright. Templeman shines as Henry, perfectly capturing his wit, bravado and pathos. With terrific performances from the supporting cast, this audiobook will delight Stoppard fans and theater lovers. (Aug.)

This delightful sequel to Rigler's Confessions of a Jane Austen Addict has 19th-century Jane Mansfield switching bodies and milieus with contemporary L.A. girl Courtney Stone. As Jane grasps the idea that she's a different person in an unimaginable world, and grapples with the radically liberal social mores, dress and language, she leans on Jane Austen's novels as touchstones to reality. Kate Reading performs the first-person narration with a cultured tones and accent befitting an upper-class Regency-era young lady. Her skill as a versatile voice performer becomes evident as dialogue introduces modern American characters, and she skillfully modulates her accent, dialect and tones to accommodate them. The romantically suspenseful story and the entertaining vocal interpretation will keep romance listeners enthralled and amused. A Dutton hardcover. (Aug.)

Sandra Burr gives a tour de force performance of Hoffman's novel that tells the tale of missing children, murdered mothers and migrating sea turtles. Every May the sea turtles confuse the lights of Verity, Fla., for the moon and invade as quickly as they can. But the residents act up as well, and a divorced mother and a cop must solve the puzzle. Burr is a true professional who knows her limits and chooses to push them at every turn yet never oversteps her boundaries. With chameleon changes in tone and pitch, Burr can fill the shoes of any character that comes her way. Hoffman's tale is perfectly suited to Burr's talents, and listeners will be enthralled from start to finish. A Putnam hardcover. (Aug.)

Two of Jance's most acclaimed characters, Arizona sheriff Joanna Brady and Seattle homicide investigator J. P. Beaumont, are brought together for this intriguing mystery. Beaumont is dealing with his sixth murder victim, the latest in a series of women wrapped in tarps and set on fire. Brady is working on a murder of her own: an ATV park caretaker who was run over several times and left to die. When one of Beaumont's victims ties back to a member of Brady's department, the two law officers are brought together to solve the case and stop the killings. Both Hillary Huber and Erik Davies give fine performances. Davies, in his first-person narration, brings a pleasant gentleness and humor to Beaumont. Hillary Huber gives a more no-nonsense delivery to her Brady and does a deft job differentiating between various characters. A Morrow hardcover (Reviews, June 15). (July)

More the gourmand than the gourmet, former New York Times food critic Bruni takes us through his love/hate relationship with food and catalogues everyone who ever fed him and what they served, every diet he went on and his fraught—even dangerous—relationship with food in this excellent memoir. Bruni is a talented reader with an intelligent voice, a perfect pace, impish humor and a contagious passion for his topic. Dieters may crumble under the weight of so many lavish descriptions of luscious treats, but Bruni's frank depiction of his eating disorders and his charismatic delivery make for memorable listening. A Penguin Press hardcover (Reviews, July 6). (Sept.)

In the wake of Bernie Madoff's $65 billion Ponzi scheme comes this book that helps listeners invest safely and identify financial scams big and small. As straightforward as it sounds, the book is surprisingly entertaining, featuring an allegory of a cautious investor, stories about fraudsters throughout history and the five rules to evade scams. Scott Thomsen delivers a vivid reading and bypasses the pitfalls of dryness and one-dimensionality that plague so many narrators of financial and business audio books. The material allows Thomsen to loosen his collar and convey the information (and help the medicine go down) with personality and panache. A Wiley hardcover (Reviews, Sept. 7) (Sept.)

If Cross does drink for a reason, it would be helpful to know which sketches and essays he wrote under what conditions. Undoubtedly, this audiobook has some hilarious pieces that will leave listeners in stitches, but there are some that fall flat or simply drag on. His rants are a mixture of observations, self-revelations and hyperbolic suggestions about the way the world should be. With his comedic background, Cross does well with delivery and emphasis, never hesitating or faltering with the risks he takes. His most entertaining antics deviate from the unabridged text when Cross (rather delightfully) mocks or challenges the conventions of an audiobook, quixotically changing his mind about reading a list and enlisting a band to perform using the list as lyrics. A Grand Central hardcover (Reviews, July 20). (Sept.)

Mother and daughter reconnect in this warm travelogue of a journey through Greece, Turkey and France. Both women are at crucial junctures in their lives (and both rely heavily on a tired Demeter-Persephone analogy for their relationship): Taylor, 22, is entering adulthood after recently graduating from college, and novelist Kidd is turning 50 and hitting menopause. Kidd mispronounces a number of words; Taylor reads with emotion, but her voice rises into an inappropriate question mark at the end of statements. Both have pleasant Southern accents with slightly gravely notes in their voices. Some listeners might enjoy the immediacy of hearing the authors read; most, however, will prefer the printed version. A Viking hardcover (Reviews, June 22) (Sept.)

Piper—a pastor, poet and parent—offers a biblical interpretation of and scriptural model for marriage. Piper has honed his distinctive voice—apparent even in his books—over 30 years of public speaking, teaching and preaching, but it's one most narrators ignore or find too challenging to interpret and integrate in their rendition; Grover Gardner makes an admirable effort, but listeners might find his tone incongruent with Piper's. Even if his reading lends a slightly removed and abstract feel to the work, Gardner manages to convey the author's remarkably insightful revelations of the mystery of God's marriage paradigm. A Crossways hardcover. (Aug.)

Pulitzer Prize–winning author Burns's latest is a jeremiad against the influence and unelected power of the Supreme Court. Burns ably guides reader through a brief history of the court, concentrating on its instances of overreaching the bounds of its authority, condemning the unconstitutionality of judicial review and closing with a series of suggestions for reform that include more rigorous presidential oversight of Supreme Court rulings. Norman Dietz is as polished and assured as ever; he reads ably and clearly, eliding Burns's exasperation and laying out the facts with a minimum of inflection and understated authority. A Penguin Press hardcover (Reviews, Apr. 27). (Aug.)

Peters, a journalist who has covered Pakistan and Afghanistan for more than 10 years, reveals that the Taliban raise hundreds of millions of dollars annually—and finance terrorist cells—by cultivating and exporting poppy to make narcotics. It's an important work of investigative journalism, but the book occasionally gets bogged down in details. Laural Merlington's monotonous narration only enhances the dryness: while the book certainly deserves a certain gravity of voice, Merlington's approach is so somber as to be tedious. Moreover, such a fact-heavy book does not lend itself well to the audio format; listeners can't easily digest the complexities nor can they quickly return to retrieve key information later. In this instance, the book's print version is preferable for marking significant details and also skimming the less compelling parts. A St. Martin's hardcover (Reviews, Feb. 16). (Aug.)

Tiber, who helped organize the iconic music festival, recounts the events that led up to Woodstock in this entertaining true story. He recreates the events in dramatic detail, offering readers a new take on a legendary event as well as sharing his own coming-of-age story, his grapples with his homosexuality and run-ins with some of the most celebrated musicians and visual artists of the day. Jim Frangione is the perfect choice for the material: his dramatic flair brings a subtle theatricality to the story. He is able to transcend time and space and transport both himself and his audience back to the 1960s. A Square One hardcover. (Aug.)

In this bestselling financial guide, Weiss, editor of the Safe Money Report Web site and “Safe Money” newsletter, offers valuable advice to those looking to increase their savings and invest their money safely during the economic downturn. The material is helpful and well presented, but ill-served by Oliver Wyman's narration. Wyman does little to keep the listener from feeling lectured to and, in turn, downright bored; he sounds like an uninspired college economics professor preaching to a class of uninterested pupils. A Wiley hardcover. (Aug.)

Best known as the author of the esteemed guide On Writing Well, Zinsser devotes his new book to recollections of his charmed life as a writer and teacher. He reflects on his years with the Herald Tribune, as a freelance writer living with his family in the Hamptons, and teaching at Yale University. Famous for prescribing clear, uncluttered writing, Zinsser practices what he preaches, and his reading is similarly limpid. Looking back at his personal and professional achievements, Zinsser cannot mask his self-satisfaction—but rather than coming across as narcissistic, his pride proves markedly charming. A Collins hardcover (Reviews, June 15). (Aug.)