Audio

Fiction

In this action-filled 15th entry in Brown's (www.megafortress.com) Patrick McClanahan series—following Shadow Command (2008), also available from Recorded Books—the retired U.S. Air Force lieutenant-general is working for a private contractor with the mission of patrolling the skies in northern Iraq. The narration by William Dufris, who's read previous works in the series, is a bit overdramatic, and his dialog and accents are sometimes clichéd, but Brown devotees will enjoy this production. [See Prepub Alert, LJ 2/15/09; the Morrow hc, published in April, was a New York Times best seller.—Ed.]—Michael T. Fein, Central Virginia Community Coll. Lib., Lynchburg

Cussler and Du Brul's sixth "Oregon Files" thriller—following Plague Ship (2008), also available from Books on Tape and Penguin Audio—takes place in the deserts of Libya and Tunisia, where a desperate search for the U.S. secretary of state is under way. Audie Award winner Scott Brick (www.scottbrickpresents.com) brings Cussler's vivid prose to life with breathtaking skill, perfectly capturing the emotions of each scene. Brick grabs listeners from the very first disc and doesn't let go until the spectacular end. Cussler fans will eagerly seek this one out. Highly, highly recommended! [See Prepub Alert, LJ 11/1/08; the Putnam hc, published in March, was a New York Times best seller.—Ed.]—Joseph L. Carlson, Vandenberg Air Force Base Lib., Lompoc, CA

In this new series debut, someone is blackmailing up-and-coming movie star Bobby Dye, and PI David Spandau, a former Hollywood stuntman, is hired to find out who and why as well as to protect the actor. Depp, whose screenplay for The Brave (1997) was nominated for a Palme d'Or at Cannes, offers an insider's view of the movie industry and life in Los Angeles in this occasionally humorous and entertaining—if a bit predictable—novel. The author is actor Johnny Depp's half-brother, and name recognition alone will attract interest. Don Leslie (American Prince) reads competently, though his Irish brogue is distracting and ineffective. Recommended for lovers of mystery and crime fiction.—Mary Knapp, Madison P.L., WI

Special Ops agent Ben Treven returns home to Silicon Valley at his brother Alex's behest for help in Gumshoe Award winner Eisler's (www.barryeisler.com) first stand-alone thriller, following on the heels of his popular six-book John Rain series. Redundant rehashes of past family dynamics drag the plot, but actor/musician/narrator Rob Shapiro paces the gripping action scenes and distinguishes among the many male characters well. His voice for a young female legal assistant, however, doesn't fit. Recommended especially where technothrillers do well. [The Ballantine hc received a starred review, LJ 12/08.—Ed.]—Sandy Glover, Camas P.L., WA

Forensic investigator Adelia Aguillar's latest assignment from Henry II is to identify two skeletons uncovered at Glastonbury Abbey as the late King Arthur and Queen Guinevere. This third entry in Franklin's (www.arianafranklin.com) "Mistress of Death" series—following The Serpent's Tale (2008), also available from Books on Tape and Penguin Audio—finds Adelia once again putting her forensic skills to the test while trying not to arouse suspicions of witchcraft. Actress Kate Reading's (Scarpetta) clear-toned, evenly paced narration enhances this excellent work, which will appeal to fans of Ellis Peters's Brother Cadfael novels and Paul Doherty's Hugh Corbett mysteries. [Previous entries in this series were nominated for Macavity and Dagger awards; the Bantam hc also received a starred review, LJ 12/08.—Ed.]—Janet Martin, Southern Pines P.L., NC

New York Times best-selling author Hooper's (www.kayhooper.com) novel featuring wealthy, handsome Rory Stewart and charming, green-eyed Banner Clairmont, a modern-day Southern belle, was originally published in 1986 as a Loveswept Romance and is now available on audio. Unfortunately, Hooper's early work does not gracefully transition to this format. The plot is thin, the characterization is bland, and the dialog is awkward—problems all the more apparent for hearing it read aloud. Narrator Lyssa Browne (Rumor Has It) performs with a stereotypically broad Southern drawl that is both distracting and untrue to upper-crust South Carolina society. Not recommended.—Juleigh Muirhead Clark, Colonial Williamsburg Fdn. Lib., VA

In actress/author Kozak's (www.harleyjanekozak.com) fourth Wollie Shelley adventure—following Dead Ex (2007), also available from BBC Audiobooks America—the FBI enlists the greeting card designer to infiltrate a group of Russians running training programs for minor Eastern European celebrities hoping to enter the U.S. entertainment business. But bullet-proof windows, armored SUVs, a secret firing range, and two unexplained deaths imply more sinister activities. With plenty of laughs and suspense, this title will appeal to both existing Kozak fans and new listeners. Series reader Deanna Hurst creates a fun atmosphere with her myriad accents and voices. Highly recommended. [The Broadway pb received a starred review, Xpress Reviews, LJ 3/27/09.—Ed.]—Janet Martin, Southern Pines P.L., NC

In 1971, Steven Spielberg established himself as a director with Duel, his adaptation of New York Times best-selling author Matheson's short story of the same name about a man and a murderous semitruck. That story is difficult to locate in library collections, making its inclusion here all the more important. Also featured in this set is "Throttle," the first collaboration between Stephen King (Cell) and Joe Hill (Heart-Shaped Box). Inspired by Matheson's classic tale, "Throttle" pits a killer 18-wheeler against a gang of motorcycle outlaws in the Nevada desert. Stephen Lang narrates "Duel" with quiet effectiveness but really shines in his deftly paced and well-characterized reading of "Throttle." Listeners will stay captivated through the end.—Joseph L. Carlson, Vandenberg Air Force Base Lib., Lompoc, CA

New York Times best-selling author Mosley (www.waltermosley.com) here successfully moves from the postwar Los Angeles setting of his Easy Rawlins novels to 21st-century New York City and introduces a new hero: flawed, hard-boiled PI Leonid McGill, who commands respect as he walks knowingly into danger and tries to keep his family clear of it. Actor Mirron Willis portrays Leonid—from whose perspective the story unfolds—with a warm, easygoing voice that invites listeners to slow down and get involved in his complex world. Audiences will breathe a sigh of relief when he survives his adventure. For all hard-boiled mystery genre fans. ["Once you start reading this mystery," read the review of the Riverhead hc, "you won't want to stop," LJ 2/15/09.—Ed.]—Juleigh Muirhead Clark, Colonial Williamsburg Fdn. Lib., VA

When the head of the Bartwright literary agency dies from autoerotic asphyxiation and villainous Cosima Tate takes the helm, top agent Tess Drake decides the time is right to break away from Bartwright's to start her own agency. Actress Kate Reading's (The Widows of Eastwick) narration is entertaining, yet, despite all the glamorous fashions, hot sex, and tabloid drama, the pseudonymous authors have created a brusque protagonist who generates little empathy. The result is a chick-lit book that older listeners might initially enjoy but won't care enough about to remember long. [The St. Martin's hc was recommended for "readers who enjoyed The Devil Wears Prada or Bridget Jones's Diary," Xpress Reviews, LJ 3/2/09.—Ed.]—Valerie Piechocki, Prince George's Cty. Memorial Lib., Largo, MD

Of the many books that should never be abridged, Wodehouse's brief novels lead the pack; people read them for their brilliant dialog and verbal imagery and are in no rush to get to the end. Case in point is this hilarious fifth "Blandings Castle" title, first published in 1933, whose delightfully convoluted plot needs more, not less, exposition. Actor Martin Jarvis's narration lends this production the feel of a feast, but listeners will be aggrieved not to be getting the full meal. As good as this recording is, Blackstone Audio's unabridged version, read by Frederick Davidson and currently available only on cassette, is the better of the two. [A Pelican at Blandings (1969), the 14th title in this series, is also available from CSA Word.—Ed.]—R. Kent Rasmussen, Thousand Oaks, CA

In writing this fascinating account of the hunt for notorious Nazi Adolf Eichmann, who managed to elude justice for 15 years living as a fugitive in Buenos Aires, Bascomb (Red Mutiny) drew on extensive interviews, previously classified details, and material including a recently discovered Eichmann memoir. Though many know the end to Eichmann's story, Tony Award-nominated actor Paul Hecht manages through his stellar narration to keep the account suspenseful and gripping throughout. Highly recommended for patrons interested in history, Holocaust studies, espionage, and thrillers. ["The details elicited from Bascomb's interviews…freshen interest in this famous story," read the review of the Houghton hc, LJ 1/09.—Ed.]—Ilka Gordon, Siegal Coll. of Judaic Studies Lib., Cleveland

Relying on more than ten years of research, award-winning journalist Cullen (www.davecullen.com) here pieces together a stunning, authoritative, full-scope view of the Columbine tragedy, reaching powerful and controversial conclusions and revealing several facts previously unknown to the public. Don Leslie (The 48 Laws of Power) reads with both sensation and objectivity, escalating emotion during the often graphic diary passages and helping the story to flow. However, the narrative's continual jumping back and forth in time may confuse listeners. For Ann Rule and Jon Krakauer fans. [The Twelve: Hachette hc, a New York Times best seller, was recommended as "definitely worth reading despite the disjointed narrative," LJ 3/15/09.—Ed.]—Terry Ann Lawler, Phoenix P.L.

Isaacson (The Healing Land) tells the absorbing, at turns heartwarming and heart-wrenching tale of his autistic son, Rowan, and how a family horseback-riding trip to Mongolia helped change all their lives. He expresses his son's vocalizations with kindness while also conveying the boy's frustration and confusion, and his travel-writing skills enhance the story of their adventure, which is not for the faint of heart. Music and sound recorded for the accompanying documentary, a 2009 Sundance Film Festival selection (www.horseboymovie.com), are incorporated into the title's sound design. For families with autistic children and those who enjoy biographies, travel narratives, and horse stories. [See Prepub Alert, LJ 1/8/09, and Audio News Briefs, LJ 3/15/09.—Ed.]—J. Sara Paulk, Fitzgerald-Ben Hill Cty. Lib., Fitzgerald, GA

According to psychologist Johnson and sociologist Forman, many of today's baby boomers feel "stuck in a life that doesn't nourish basic needs," veritably trapped in an hourglass. The authors offer up much generic description of their fellow boomers, their culture, and this generational malaise but provide few conclusions, concrete suggestions, or advice, instead doling out broad truths (e.g., "choice is the essence of the hourglass solution") that reflect their rampant self-absorption (e.g., their belief that their agenda should be a high priority for the nation). Listeners will have a hard time paying attention as the material translates awkwardly to audio, with Emmy Award-winning actor/narrator Gary Collins's ultrasmooth voice glossing over much of the text. Not recommended.—Douglas C. Lord, Connecticut State Lib., Middletown

The government is out to rob the citizenry of every right imaginable. That's how extreme nationally syndicated radio host and best-selling author Levin (www.marklevinshow.com) can come across in this manifesto. His criticism of and disdain for progressives, Democrats, and other groups are nothing new, nor are his arguments, but he does provide a solid piece of writing that other conservatives will certainly appreciate and find solace in, given the current state of politics. Levin's high-octane reading of the introduction contrasts with the less aggressive treatment of the rest of the text by Adam Grupper, who clearly emphasizes each passage's key elements. [The Threshold: S. & S. hc, a No. 1 New York Times and LJ best seller, was described as "a solidly plotted book that gets the job done," LJ 11/1/08.—Ed.]—Lance Eaton, Peabody, MA

Marsden's condensed retelling of his definitive 2003 biography, Jonathan Edwards: A Life, highlights the key moments and overriding themes of the life of the New England evangelist best known for his role in the Great Awakening of the mid-18th century and for his sermon "Sinners in the Hands of an Angry God." Grover Gardner, Publishers Weekly's 2005 Audiobook Narrator of the Year, anchors Marsden's solid, succinct text in a seamless and engaging reading that balances the depth of the subject matter with the book's length. Recommended for those interested in a concise exploration of the theological underpinnings of American society. [The Eerdmans pb was described as "a readable and illuminating introduction to this important figure in American religious history," LJ 11/1/08.—Ed.]—Christopher Rager, Pasadena, CA

UK political commentator and first-time book author Painter (anthonypainter.co.uk) here argues that the basis for Barack Obama's political ideals are grounded in the social reform movement begun in the 1930s with Roosevelt's administration and continuing through the Kennedy and Johnson administrations in the 1960s. Much of his focus is on Johnson's "Great Society" programs and their impact on Obama's career as a politician. Australia-based British actor Nicholas Bell delivers a fine reading, though his Australian-accented pronunciation of Barack may initially sound jarring to American ears. For those interested in political biographies and community activism.—Deb West, Gannon Univ. Lib., Erie, PA

Sandweiss (history, Princeton Univ.) presents a stunning look at the complex nature of race relations in America from the post-Civil War years through the turn of the century in this story of Clarence King, a celebrated white scientist and writer who lived a double life as a black Pullman porter and steelworker in order to marry the woman he loved. Audie Award nominee Lorna Raver (The Age of Innocence) does a credible job with this story, giving a solid but unobtrusive performance well suited to the subject matter. Recommended for listeners of historical nonfiction. [Audio clip available through www.tantor.com; the Penguin hc was described as a "historical narrative that should catch the attention of both specialists and the reading public," LJ 1/09.—Ed.]—Gloria Maxwell, Metropolitan Community Coll.-Penn Valley Lib., Kansas City, MO

In 1984, Thompson-Cannino, a 22-year-old white, North Carolina college student, was viciously raped by a black intruder and identified Cotton as her attacker. Her testimony led to his conviction and a sentence of life imprisonment, though DNA evidence exonerated him 11 years later. Unbelievably, the two formed a genuine friendship and now together advocate for judicial reform. Audie Award nominee Richard Allen and Karen White (My Kind of Place) bring this poignant, simply unforgettable, joint first-person account wholly to life. Recommended for all. [See Major Audio Releases, LJ 2/1/09; the St. Martin's hc, a New York Times best seller, was recommended as "an asset to any crime collection," LJ 2/1/09.—Ed.]—Beth Farrell, Portage Cty. Dist. Lib., Garrettsville, OH

Accompanied by a 118-page illustrated companion book, this audio is intended to guide listeners/readers through the meditation process. Author Thondup (The Healing Power of Mind), who narrates, begins by discussing the purpose of meditation for attaining the Buddhist view of loving-kindness. The presentation initially takes the form of a lecture; only by the second disc does Thondup address the actual steps necessary to meditation. Each of the tracks, some as long as 18 minutes, focuses on a different aspect of loving-kindness meditation. Recommended only for those listeners who are new to meditation and might want to be talked through it.—Deb West, Gannon Univ. Lib., Erie, PA