Tantor’s Quick Kennedy Turnaround
Robert F. Kennedy Jr. has long stated his fervent defense of his cousin Michael Skakel, who in 2002 was convicted of killing 15-year-old Martha Moxley in Connecticut in 1975. Kennedy believes Skakel is innocent and, in Framed, offers his theory of how his cousin was set up. Characterized as an exposé by Skyhorse, the book has largely been under wraps leading up to its July 12 lay-down. Tantor recently acquired audio rights to the title and had actor and prolific narrator Peter Berkrot in to record. Berkrot shared with Tantor this reflection on the experience: “I breathlessly read the account in preparation for the narration, astonished by the events and conclusions. As a lifelong Democrat, I am honored to be allowed to be the voice of Mr. Kennedy. This book will undoubtedly shed light on this case and the entire criminal justice system.” The audiobook will be released simultaneously with the print book.
History, Food, and ‘Picasso’ on Menu for Random
During her recent studio sessions for Random House Audio, actress Mozhan Marnò (House of Cards, The Blacklist) gave voice to Camille Aubray’s historical novel about a little-known encounter between a young chef and Pablo Picasso in the South of France in 1936. In Cooking for Picasso, the author imagines how that encounter played out in the ensuing decades of the chef’s life in a tale that blends fictional and real characters and showcases the beauty of the French Riviera. Cooking for Picasso goes on sale August 9.
‘Serial’ Drama Continues in Macmillan Audio’s ‘Adnan’s Story’
In 2015, listeners were captivated by the first season of podcast-phenomenon Serial, which explored the story of Adnan Syed, who was convicted in 2000 of the murder of his former girlfriend in 1999. Syed’s friend and advocate Rabia Chaudry—convinced of his innocence—was the one who first brought his case to the attention of Sarah Koenig, the host and co-creator of Serial. Now Chaudry has written and narrated a book, Adnan’s Story, that contains her reflections on the Syed saga as well as previously unreleased letters from Syed, and that offers a re-examination of the original investigation, new evidence, and an update on the case. On July 5, Koenig posted her response to the news of Syed’s new trial on the Serial website: “Last week, when I saw the news that Judge Martin P. Welch granted Adnan a new trial, I happened to be on Skype with our executive producer Julie Snyder, and both of us did exactly the same involuntary thing of sucking in our breath and then putting our hands over our mouths. We weren’t so much shocked because of the legal arguments, but because it was such a longshot, this outcome.” Adnan’s Story will publish August 9 from Macmillan Audio.
S&S’s ‘Skeleton Crew’ Reboot Includes Stellar Cast
Dylan Baker, Paul Giamatti, and Michael C. Hall are on the roster of top-notch narrators who have newly recorded selections from Stephen King’s 1985 short story collection, Skeleton Crew, released as an audiobook on July 5 by Simon & Schuster Audio. The collection contains 22 works, including popular tales such as “The Mist” and “The Monkey.” Four of the stories were previously recorded for a 1987 audio release read by Matthew Broderick, Dana Ivey, Frances Sternhagen, and King, and those recordings are in the new edition as well. Other actors who recently stepped up to the mike to record the remaining stories for the new release include Kyle Bertran, Norbert Leo Butz, David Morse, Will Patton, Robert Petkoff, and Lois Smith. A new paperback edition of the book will arrive from Scribner in January.
Comedy and Candor from Klein and Hachette
Jessi Klein, comedian and head writer for Comedy Central’s Inside Amy Schumer, has recorded the Hachette Audio version of her book, You’ll Grow Out of It, pubbing July 12. Klein’s humorous personal essays focus on relatable episodes and anecdotes from her life but also offer insights on issues such as society’s standards of femininity. Klein begins a national tour in support of the title on July 12 with Chicago, New York City, Portland, San Francisco, and Seattle among the stops.
