Audiobook Reviews, October 15, 2010
Oct 15, 2010audio
FICTION
Bradbury, Ray. Something Wicked This Way Comes. 7 CDs. library ed. unabridged. 8½ hrs. Tantor Audio. 2010. ISBN 9781400148257. $71.99; 7 CDs. retail ed.; 1 MP3-CD. retail ed.; digital download. F
On a chilly October night, Jim Nightshade and Will Halloway smell cotton candy and hear the eerie tones of a carousel calliope. A carnival has rolled into town, a type of which these 13-year-olds have never seen before: a terrifying maze of mirrors leaves the boys’ teacher sputtering in fear, a strangely illustrated man offers Jim a free ride on the carousel, and people start to go missing. Bradbury’s (www.raybradbury.com) classic 1962 novel is here masterfully read by voice artist Kevin Foley, whose deep tones are well suited to the story’s dark characters. Perfect around a campfire or with Halloween in mind; recommended for horror fans, lovers of Stephen King, and fans of Cornelia Funke’s The Thief Lord (for its similar themes). [Tantor Audio recently began releasing new recordings of Bradbury classics (see Audio NewsBriefs, LJ 8/10).—Ed.]—Lisa Anderson, Metropolitan Community Coll. Lib., Omaha
Cabot, Meg. Insatiable. 14 CDs. library ed. unabridged. 16¾ hrs. Recorded Bks. 2010. ISBN 9780061988516. $52.75; 14 CDs. retail ed. HarperAudio; Playaway digital; digital download. F
A vampire war is raging in New York City, with dead bodies piling up on both sides, and Meena Harper lands right in the middle of it. The coupling of breezy storytelling and vamp soap drama in No. 1 New York Times best-selling author Cabot’s (www.megcabot.com) new series starter will appeal to younger readers/listeners, but the story has little real substance. Self-centered, shallow main characters and turgid dialog are, however, mitigated by amusing situations. Actress Emily Bauer’s (www.emilybauer.com) girlish, dramatic vocals heighten the maudlin, romantic feel of the novel. A good match for YA listeners and fans of Stephenie Meyer’s “Twilight” novels. [The Morrow hc was recommended for “Cabot’s fans, chick-lit followers, and crossover readers from the paranormal romance and urban fantasy genres,” LJ 6/15/10.—Ed.]—Terry Ann Lawler, Phoenix P.L.
Cussler, Clive & Justin Scott. The Spy. 10 CDs. library ed. unabridged. 12¾ hrs. Books on Tape. 2010. ISBN 9780307734890. $39.95; 10 CDs. retail ed. Penguin Audio; 5 CDs. retail ed. abridged. 6 hrs.; digital download. F
Teddy Roosevelt has high hopes of establishing U.S. naval supremacy with the dispatch of the “Great White Fleet,” a flotilla of warships. Enter Det. Isaac Bell, who finds himself up against an international cast of villains bent on destroying the fleet at any cost. This is Cussler (www.cusslerbooks.com) and Scott’s third Bell novel, following The Wrecker, whose Books on Tape/Penguin Audio edition also received a starred review (LJ 3/1/10). Scott Brick (see Behind the Mike, LJ 10/15/09) brings the story to life with his outstanding vocalizations and proves, once again, that a team of great writers and a great narrator can’t be beat. Highly recommended.—Joseph L. Carlson, Vandenberg Air Force Base Lib., Lompoc, CA
First Thrills. ed. by Lee Child. 10 CDs. library ed. unabridged. 12 hrs. Brilliance Audio. 2010. ISBN 9781441864475. $99.97; 10 CDs. retail ed.; 1 MP3-CD. library/retail eds.; Playaway digital; digital download. F
These 25 original, never-before-published short stories were compiled by Child (www.leechild.com) and crafted by thriller writers including Alex Kava, John Lescroart, Heather Graham, Stephen Coonts, and Rebecca Cantrell—all of them members of the relatively fledgling International Thriller Writers of America. Child’s introduction and the afterword, by Steve Berry (www.steveberry.org), are essentially overdrawn infomercials for the organization, but the stories in between are clever and compelling—not thrillers of the keep-you-on-the-edge-of-your-seat variety, as the title implies, but enjoyable mysteries nonetheless. A baker’s dozen of seasoned narrators engagingly performs the stories, and it’s a boon for listeners to have such diversity in one collection. Recommended.—Nicole A. Cooke, Montclair State Univ. Lib., NJ
Koryta, Michael. So Cold the River. 12 CDs. library ed. unabridged. 13½ hrs. Hachette Audio from AudioGO (formerly BBCAA). 2010. ISBN 9781607888833. $99.99; digital download. F
Edgar Award nominee Koryta breaks from his Lincoln Perry PI series with this work of dark, supernatural horror that demonstrates the quality writing style and well-developed characters for which he is known. Down-and-out filmmaker Eric Shaw agrees to produce a biopic of an elderly billionaire from West Baden Springs, IN. While there, a bottle of “Pluto” water enhances Shaw’s psychic abilities as he becomes increasingly caught up in the mystery surrounding his subject’s family, in West Baden history, and in the water’s source and powers. Actor/Audie Award nominee Robert Petkoff (robertpetkoff.com) renders Eric’s visions and descendant Josiah Campbell’s ruthless pursuit of fortune with veridical insight. Highly recommended for all audiences. [“Fans of horror and supernatural suspense will enjoy Koryta’s...darkest work yet,” read the review of the Little, Brown hc, LJ 5/1/10; the Back Bay Bks. pb will publish in January 2011.—Ed.]—Sandy Glover, Camas P.L., WA
La Plante, Lynda. Silent Scream. 10 CDs. library ed. unabridged. 12¾ hrs. AudioGO (formerly BBCAA). 2010. ISBN 9780792772811. $110.95; digital download. F
Edgar Award winner La Plante’s fifth Anna Travis police procedural, following Deadly Intent (2009), is the first title of the series to be available on audio. When a twentysomething movie star is stabbed in her London flat, savvy investigator Travis is assigned to the case. Listeners shadow Travis as she interrogates, ruminates, and elucidates while juggling work and personal relationships spilling over from her previous four adventures. Not quite a page-turner, this cerebral narrative is nonetheless gripping enough to hook listeners from the start. Voice actress Kim Hicks’s performance is seamless; she adds much nuance through her inflection and pacing. Mystery and police procedural fans will want this. [The Touchstone: S. & S. hc was described as a “well thought out” and “fascinating” mystery of interest to Val McDermid fans, LJ 7/10.—Ed.]—Judith Robinson, Dept. of Lib. & Information Studies, Univ. at Buffalo
O’Flynn, Catherine. The News Where You Are. 6 CDs. library ed. unabridged. 7 hrs. Blackstone Audio. 2010. ISBN 9781441748201. $38; 6 CDs. retail ed.; 1 MP3-CD. library/retail eds.; Playaway digital; digital download. F
In O’Flynn’s novel following the New York Times best seller/Costa First Novel Award winner What Was Lost (2007), midcareer regional news anchor Frank Allcroft is grappling with his longtime mentor’s recent death from an unsolved hit-and-run, his mother’s embrace of depression in a retirement home, and his architect father’s legacy being razed piece by piece. The dominant themes of secrets and loss might have made for an immensely sad tale were it not for O’Flynn’s adept use of humor, particularly in her depiction of Frank’s daughter, Mo, and her child’s-eye view of such worldly topics as aging, demolition, and moving on. Versatile British narrator John Lee captures the novel’s varied spirits well. More a character study than a mystery, this title is appropriate for the larger fiction collections of libraries seeking shorter novels for their clientele. [“Sometimes humorous and always compassionate,” read the review of the Holt pb original, LJ 6/15/10.—Ed.]—Joyce Kessel, Villa Maria Coll., Buffalo
Parkhurst, Carolyn. The Nobodies Album. 9 CDs. library ed. unabridged. 11½ hrs. Books on Tape. 2010. ISBN 9780307714732. $100; 9 CDs. retail ed. Random Audio; digital download. F
Parkhurst’s (www.carolynparkhurst.com) third novel, following Lost and Found (2006), is a literary murder mystery about a best-selling author whose latest endeavor re-imagines all the final chapters of her previous books. As she delivers this new creation to her editor, she learns her estranged son has been arrested on suspicion of murder. The story alternates between her reunion with her son and both her original and revised story endings. Actress Kimberly Farr skillfully renders the protagonists and provides enough variation in the other numerous characters to give narrative clarity. Although the murder mystery aspect is only a small component of this tale, there is enough here to appeal to mystery lovers. Appreciators of experimental fiction, however, are most likely to enjoy. [“Like an indie band with crossover potential, Parkhurst’s Album delivers the goods,” read the review of the Doubleday hc, LJ Xpress Reviews, 6/10/10.—Ed.]—J. Sara Paulk, Wythe-Grayson Regional Lib., Independence, VA
Pronzini, Bill. Betrayers. 6 CDs. library ed. unabridged. 7 hrs. AudioGO (formerly BBCAA). 2010. ISBN 9780792752974. $64.95; digital download. F
Three-time Shamus Award winner Pronzini’s latest installment in his long-running “Nameless Detective” series, begun in 1971, follows Schemers (2009), also read by veteran actor/narrator Nick Sullivan and available from AudioGO. This time the focus is on betrayals as Tamara investigates an old lover who jilted her, Nameless tries to find out who is harassing an elderly woman and track down the source of the cocaine found in his adopted daughter’s room, and Runyon is hot on the trail of a bail jumper. Sullivan delivers a polished, unobtrusive performance and transitions smoothly among the characters. Recommended primarily for series fans. [See Prebub Mystery, LJ 3/1/10.—Ed.]—Mary Knapp, Madison, P.L., WI
Sjöwall, Maj & Per Wahlöö. Cop Killer. 7 CDs. library ed. unabridged. 8 hrs. Blackstone Audio. 2010. ISBN 9781433263156. $38; 1 MP3 CD. library ed.; Playaway digital; digital download. F
Sjöwall and her common-law husband, the late Wahlöö, together cowrote a series of ten police procedurals set in Sweden and featuring National Homicide Squad chief Martin Beck. This ninth entry, originally published in 1974, follows Beck and his assistant, Lennart Kollberg, as they investigate two cases: that of a murdered woman and the shooting death of a police officer. The lead suspect in the latter case is Folke Bengtsson, a convicted murderer who appeared in the series opener, Roseanna (1965). Beck, however, harbors doubts about his guilt. Throughout this low-key narrative, we see political infighting among the members of the Swedish police force and Beck and Kollberg’s dissatisfaction with the status quo. Veteran voice artist Tom Weiner does his usual excellent job narrating this series, the entirety of which is available from Blackstone Audio. Highly recommended.—Stephen L. Hupp, West Virginia Univ. Parkersburg Lib.
Tobey, Danny. The Faculty Club. 7 CDs. library ed. unabridged. 8½ hrs. Recorded Bks. 2010. ISBN 9781449822354. $77.75; 7 CDs. retail ed. S. & S. Audio; Playaway digital; digital download. F
The elite perpetuate their control of Western civilization by way of occult rites practiced in the steam tunnels below the buildings of our most prestigious law school. The V&D Club invites three new members each year; those not invited gain knowledge of V&D at great personal risk. Tobey’s first novel is a fun thriller with lots of promise: his characterization and his musings—on science, good vs. evil, relationships, political power, and social influence—are fascinating. That said, the book would have benefitted from more believability and coherency. Emmy Award nominee/narrator Rich Orlow’s lively, nuanced performance recommends this audio edition for adult audiences.—Cliff Glaviano, formerly with Bowling Green State Univ. Libs., OH
Tolstoy, Leo. The Kreutzer Sonata. 3 CDs. retail ed. unabridged. 4 hrs. Naxos AudioBooks. 2010. ISBN 9781843793564. $22.95; digital download. CLASSIC LIT
Not as well known as Tolstoy’s monumental novels War and Peace and Anna Karenina, this 1889 novella brilliantly describes the disintegration of a marriage. Drawn together by physical attraction alone, Pozdnyshev and his new wife begin arguing from the outset and grow increasingly angry, cold, and disdainful, until their marriage finally ends in an act of murder. Actor Jonathan Oliver’s (The Cossacks) subtle renderings of incidental dialects are exceptional. Highly recommended for anyone interested in classic fiction and for those seeking a comparatively short and approachable introduction to classic Russian fiction. [This year marks the 100th anniversary of Tolstoy’s death.—Ed.]—I. Pour-El, Des Moines Area Community Coll., Boone, IA
NONFICTION
Gordon, Lyndall. Lives Like Loaded Guns. 13 CDs. library ed. unabridged. 16 hrs. Tantor Audio. 2010. ISBN 9781400147762. $95.99; 13 CDs. retail ed.; 2 MP3-CDs. retail ed.; digital download. BIOG
Acclaimed biographer Gordon’s (www.lyndallgordon.net) last title was the New York Times Notable Book Vindication: A Life of Mary Wollstonecraft (2005). Here, she draws on letters, diaries, and legal documents to reveal two previously unexplored impacts on the life of poet Emily Dickinson: one involving her brother’s scandalous affair with a married woman; the other, her own epilepsy. This audio production opens with a recitation of characters—a useful reference tool in print, though not so much in this format. Indeed, it is occasionally difficult to differentiate among the myriad characters, all voiced by veteran narrator Wanda McCaddon, who struggles to add drama to the small bits of assembled quotes. While the print edition contains significant bibliographic citations and photos, the audiobook does not. Of interest as an audio only to Dickinson enthusiasts. [The Viking hc received a starred review, LJ 7/10.—Ed.]—Johannah Genett, Hennepin Cty. Libs., Minneapolis
Roach, Mary. Packing for Mars. 9 CDs. library ed. unabridged. 10½ hrs. Brilliance Audio. 2010. ISBN 9780393068474. $99.97; 9 CDs. retail ed.; 1 MP3-CD. library/retail eds.; Playaway digital; digital download. SCI
With wry humor and an often repellent degree of detail, New York Times best-selling author Roach (www.maryroach.net)—whose previous title, Bonk (2008), is also read by Sandra Burr and available from Brilliance Audio—here discusses the physical challenges astronauts face during space flight, i.e., the zero-gravity realities of disposing of bodily waste, bathing, eating, having sex, and getting sick, along with all of their malodorous consequences. She also tracks NASA engineers’ attempts to find solutions to these dilemmas in order to improve astronauts’ physical and psychological experiences. Burr narrates in a matter-of-fact tone that well matches Roach’s scientific approach. Recommended for adult audiences interested in the curiosities of space flight; not for the queasy. [The New York Times best-selling Norton hc received a starred review, LJ 7/10.—Ed.]—Ilka Gordon, Siegal Coll. of Judaic Studies Lib., Cleveland
Scheff, Leonard & Susan Edmiston. The Cow in the Parking Lot. 4 CDs. retail ed. unabridged. 4¾ hrs. HighBridge Audio. 2010. ISBN 9781615731145. $19.95; digital download. SELF-HELP
Many believe that anger protects us, gives us control of a situation, and offers us an edge. But Cow submits that anger is damaging—to our health, our relationships, and our society. Zen Buddhists Scheff and Edmiston talk openly about the dirty little emotion, suggesting effortless small starts and modest changes to help us overcome our conditioning and live without anger. Using Zen parables coupled with rational, straightforward advice and exercises, the authors bestow instruments for success. With first-rate narration by Bill Mendieta, Cow is not only a rational look at an irrational emotion but also a good introduction to Buddhist principles. Recommended for fans of Anh Huong Nguyen’s Walking Meditation.—Terry Ann Lawler, Phoenix P.L.
Wittman, Robert K. with John Shiffman. Priceless. 8 CDs. library ed. unabridged. 9½ hrs. Books on Tape. 2010. ISBN 9780307735874. $45; digital download. Random Audio. AUTOBIOG
Together with Pulitzer Prize–nominated investigative reporter Shiffman, retired FBI agent Wittman (founder, Art Crimes Team) details the adventures of his 20-year career as an art detective. Actor/narrator Mark Deakins brings a tense realism to this fast-paced account that jumps from Rio to PBS’s Antiques Roadshow and details how Wittman rescued everything from paintings by Pissarro and Rockwell to Peruvian archaeological objects and Civil War Americana. Wittman’s disgust comes through in Deakins’s recounting of his greatest potential case, bungled owing to FBI bureaucratic posturing and the whims of foreign governments. Recommended for those who enjoy memoir, art lore, suspense, and true crime.—David Faucheux, Louisiana Audio Information & Reading Svc., Lafayette
Wooten, Victor. The Music Lesson. 7 CDs. library ed. unabridged. 7½ hrs. Tantor Audio. 2010. ISBN 9781400148172. $71.99; 7 CDs. retail ed.; 1 MP3-CD. retail ed.; Playaway digital; digital download. MUSIC
Grammy Award–winning bassist/composer Wooten (www.victorwooten.com), perhaps best known for his work with Béla Fleck and the Flecktones, shares an allegorical tale of his discovery of the power of music. Narrated by the author, the book centers on the first-person protagonist’s series of humbling encounters with a mysterious teacher and spiritual adviser named Michael. Perhaps inspired by the similarly semiautobiographical, mystical tales of Carlos Castaneda, Wooten offers a lesson in personal growth with music as the central metaphor. The primary advantage of the audiobook to the printed edition is the inclusion of original music composed by Wooten, which functions as a backdrop to the spoken text. Recommended for Wooten’s fans and those liking jazz and jam bands as well as for listeners interested in metaphysics and spiritual discovery.—Christopher Rager, Pasadena, CA
TWAIN TWOSOME
Shelden, Michael. Mark Twain: Man in White. 14 CDs. library ed. unabridged. 17¼ hrs. Recorded Bks. 2010. ISBN 9781440785931. $123.75; Playaway digital; digital download. BIOG
In chronicling the last three-and-a-half years of Twain’s long life, Pulitzer Prize–nominated biographer Shelden (michaelshelden.com) taps not just into the most richly documented period of Twain’s life but also into a period involving more drama, turmoil, and adventure than one might imagine possible for a subject in his seventies. Shelden marvelously brings those years to life, placing them in perspective with frequent comments on earlier events. Hundreds of books about Twain have been written, particularly in 2010, the centennial anniversary of his death, but none brings audiences closer to feeling in his presence, especially as narrated by Andrew Garman. An ideal biography for this format; highly recommended. [See also Autobiography of Mark Twain, p. 51.—Ed.]—R. Kent Rasmussen, Thousand Oaks, CA
Twain, Mark. The American Claimant. 7 CDs. retail ed. unabridged. 7½ hrs. Mark Twain in Person Audiobook Library, dist. by Midwest Tape. 2010. ISBN 9780982668801. $39.99; 1 MP3-CD. retail ed.; digital download. CLASSIC LIT
This 1892 novel is one of Twain’s least-read works for a reason: a chaotic farce resurrected from a failed play, it simply doesn’t read well in print. This first-ever audio recording of the title, however, is a revelation, showing the degree of difference a good audio production can make. Robustly narrated by veteran actor/Twain interpreter Richard Henzel (the radio DJ of Groundhog Day), its dialog-heavy pages spring to life, transforming hesitant chuckles to belly laughs as the irrepressible “Colonel” Sellers presses his claims to an English earldom. A real enhancement to Henzel’s growing library of Twain recordings (www.richardhenzel.com/marktwain.html); an essential acquisition.—R. Kent Rasmussen, Thousand Oaks, CA
