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Starred audiobooks reviewed in our September 2023 Audio in Depth issue, spanning mystery and suspense, SF/fantasy, romance, arts, sciences, and more.
Verghese’s narration pairs perfectly with his exquisite prose, creating a not-to-be-missed audio experience. This Oprah’s Book Club pick is an essential purchase for all collections.
Ware’s latest fast-paced thriller, enhanced by Church’s outstanding narration, does not disappoint. Fans and newcomers alike will enjoy Ware’s signature twists and turns and will root for Jack as she fights to survive.
PREMIUM
Wasps in the Ice Cream
Full of pop-culture references, satanic panic, and nostalgia, this novel is a love letter to times past. Perfect for fans of Jeffrey Eugenides’s The Virgin Suicides or Robert R. McCammon’s Boy’s Life.
Historical fiction readers will be delighted by this deftly narrated production, which offers an intriguing picture of a talented artist and her lasting legacy.
PREMIUM
At Sea
Part romance, part fantasy, this is an enjoyable, if occasionally perplexing listen. Suggest to those who appreciate emotional depth but don’t insist on tight logic.
PREMIUM
The Only One Left
Sager delivers another haunting, twist-filled novel. Perfect for current fans and those just discovering Sager.
A deeply compelling satire, with sharp insight into the horrifying notion that authentic voices can be replaced by privileged ones that publishers assume are more marketable. June’s rise and fall in an amoral industry is both entertaining and thought-provoking.
PREMIUM
The Marigold
Though the cast is massive, each individual’s story is part of a unified whole, depicting a bleak future where corporations make deals with literal monsters in the name of progress.
PREMIUM
Dirty Laundry
Recommend to fans of domestic suspense, as well as to those who appreciate immigration and class issues in psychological thrillers.
Listeners who enjoyed the Audie Award–nominated first book in Gray’s series will be charmed by Fulford-Brown’s delightful performance of this second whodunit.
PREMIUM
The All-American
A poignant coming-of-age story that raises questions about race, belonging, and the nature of family.
PREMIUM
Death of a Bookseller
This audio will appeal to listeners seeking an unsettling, open-ended suspense novel about envy and obsession. A tense and terrifying tale of a true-crime craze gone too far, recommended for fans of A.J. Finn, Lisa Jewell, and Rachel Hawkins.
PREMIUM
She Started It
Gilbert’s gripping thriller is a modern twist on Mean Girls and a contemporary adult version of Sara Shepard’s Pretty Little Liars. A sharply drawn, unputdownable listen.
PREMIUM
Everything the Darkness Eats
Two terrifying storylines come together in an inventive and haunting tale that explores whether love and forgiveness can exist in a pitiless universe.
Though the cover appears sedate, there is never a dull moment in this hilarious, action-filled tale. Share with fans of Amy Stewart’s “Kopp Sisters” series.
This audio will appeal to those seeking haunting psychological suspense about envy, attraction, and the illusion of perfection. Recommended for fans of Colleen Hoover, A.J. Finn, and Gillian Flynn.
PREMIUM
Digging Up Daisy
Share with listeners who appreciate engaging characters and a lovely setting but don’t mind over-the-top sleuthing shenanigans.
PREMIUM
The St. Ambrose School for Girls
Listeners will be grabbed by this twisty thriller from the outset. A gripping thriller for fans of Lisa Lutz’s The Swallows or Ruth Ware’s The Lying Game.
PREMIUM
I Could Live Here Forever
Listeners may respond to Halperin’s intimate portrait of Leah, who is vulnerable and heartbreakingly hopeful, but some may be frustrated by her choices. Halperin is one to watch, but this may be an uneasy fit for many.
PREMIUM
Wednesdays at One
A terrific novel, partly a psychological thriller but also a story of the mistakes people make and the possibilities for forgiveness and redemption.
PREMIUM
The Disenchantment
A richly suspenseful tale, perfect for listeners who enjoy detailed historical fiction, such as Hilary Mantel’s “Wolf Hall” trilogy.
PREMIUM
Old God’s Time
A poignant meditation on aging, grief, and longing, this shifting psychological novel is perfect for readers of Dervla McTiernan and Donal Ryan.
PREMIUM
Beware the Woman
A great fit for fans of psychological horror with social commentary, as it touches on autonomy and reproductive rights.
PREMIUM
The Block Party
This audio will appeal to listeners seeking fast-paced suburban suspense that investigates the illusion of normalcy and security. Recommended for fans of Ashley Audrain, Shari Lapena, and Cate Ray.
PREMIUM
Death Comes to Marlow
Will appeal to listeners seeking a clever cozy mystery full of quirky characters, cryptic crosswords, and compelling twists. Recommended for fans of Helene Tursten, Richard Osman, and Tamara Berry.
PREMIUM
The Collected Regrets of Clover
Audiences will be cheering Clover on as she bravely navigates new relationships and experiences. Share with fans of Matt Haig’s The Midnight Library or Gail Honeyman’s Eleanor Oliphant Is Completely Fine.
PREMIUM
A Cruel Light
This audio will appeal to listeners seeking action-packed suspense with whispers of playful romance and the paranormal. Recommended for fans of Riley Sager, Maria Hummel, and Alice Feeney.
PREMIUM
Elizabeth and Her German Garden
Although not a typically plotted novel, von Arnim’s (1866–1941) work showcases the joy of gardening and her struggles with 1800s societal standards. A delight for gardeners and fans of Barbara Pym, Jane Austen, and E.F. Benson.
PREMIUM
My Murder
This brilliant and wholly surprising novel upends everything listeners might expect from crime fiction, delivering psychological suspense, more than a few laughs, and a sensitive look at technology, identity, and memory.
PREMIUM
The Tip Line
This audio will appeal to listeners seeking an unnerving psychological suspense about compulsion and corruption. Recommended for fans of Colleen Hoover, Katie Sise, and Kelly J. Ford.
PREMIUM
Pageboy: A Memoir
Page’s honesty and vulnerability is striking, and watching him find happiness as he grows into his true self is inspiring.
PREMIUM
Good Night, Irene
A deftly narrated account from an exquisitely talented writer. Highly recommended for all historical fiction collections.
PREMIUM
Even If Everything Ends
A literary entry into the climate-fiction genre, juxtaposing human concerns and relationships against the backdrop of imminent disaster.
PREMIUM
The Half Moon
A heartfelt, complex novel that examines the thorny questions of marriage and middle age.
PREMIUM
Lost Coast Literary
Alexander’s latest reminds listeners that healing can sometimes involve pain; at the same time, it celebrates the joys of community, family, and everyday magic.
PREMIUM
Our Place on the Island
A charming story, but not mandatory in audio unless demand warrants. Includes discussion questions.
PREMIUM
Super Bloom
Share with listeners who appreciate tales of women coming into their own, enlivened with just the right amount of humor, romance, and hope.
PREMIUM
Confidence
A caper novel with a twist. Share with fans of Kirsten Chen’s Counterfeit or Mateo Askaripour’s Black Buck.
All mystery fans should enjoy Slocumb’s musical thriller, which is heartwarming as well as thought-provoking, especially given the outstanding characterizations and perfect pacing of narrator McCormick.
PREMIUM
Lady Tan’s Circle of Women
Share with See’s loyal fans and anyone interested in Chinese history and medicine. An excellent recommendation for book groups and for readers who enjoy historical fiction about women living in highly regulated patriarchal societies.
Juliano’s tense debut offers grown-up vibes for fans of Margaret Peterson Haddix’s Running Out of Time, like a more sinister take on M. Night Shyamalan’s The Village. An outstanding pick for fans of classic horror and creepy cults.
PREMIUM
Hounds of the Underworld
Should appeal to fans of Jim Butcher’s “Dresden Files” and Patricia Briggs’s “Mercy Thompson” series, although the dialogue and accents of the narrators, along with creepy music between chapters, give this audiobook its own unique sound. This first installment in the “Path of Ra” series stands on its own but also builds excitement for the next books to come.
PREMIUM
The Spectacular
Davis once again hits it out of the park, delivering a gripping tale that is difficult to put down. Excellent narration combined with her storytelling prowess and dedication to historical accuracy make this novel a triumph.
PREMIUM
You Look Beautiful Tonight
This audio will appeal to listeners seeking a mild thriller with a satisfying, though not shocking, twist. Recommended for fans of Kiersten Modglin and Rachel Hawkins.
PREMIUM
The Nightingale Affair
An engrossing historical novel that takes listeners on a grisly journey from the Crimean Peninsula to the seedy recesses of underground London.
Rannells’s top-notch narration makes this laugh-out-loud listen a must-purchase for patrons who are fans of his work or enjoy well-crafted memoirs.
European history and literary history buffs should enjoy this colorful story of a life well and unconventionally lived.
PREMIUM
Stalking Shakespeare: A Memoir of Madness, Murder, and My Search for the Poet Beneath the Paint
Anyone with an interest in the Shakespeare author controversy or academic research in general should enjoy Durkee’s colorful account of dark winters spent obsessing over “his homespun collection” of “mugshot bards.”
PREMIUM
Fireworks Every Night
A heartrending, character-driven novel for fans of Kimberly Olson Fakih’s Little Miseries.
A perfect marriage of narrator and novel. Anyone who has ever lived in a small town or dealt with the realities of aging should find this production delightfully relatable.
PREMIUM
Chef’s Choice
This queer fake-dating rom-com is recommended for all romance audio collections. Share with fans of Elena Armas’s The American Roommate Experiment or Taleen Voskuni’s Sorry, Bro.
The content is exceptional, but the undistinguished narration makes this an optional purchase where the print version is available.
This audio will appeal to listeners seeking fast-paced, frightening suspense about sisterhood, suspicion, and sinister secrets. Recommended for fans of Lisa Jewell, Janelle Brown, and S.C. Richards.
PREMIUM
The Three of Us
Agbaje-Williams captures the layers of hurt, love, and expectation inherent in marriage, relationships, and friendship. An intoxicating, constantly shifting listen.
PREMIUM
Muckross Abbey and Other Stories
This collection of stories is eerie enough to seep into one’s bones, but listeners looking for truly horrific ghost stories might want to seek out scarier fare. Recommended for those who enjoy gothic literature and detailed settings and are open to ambiguous endings.
PREMIUM
The Dane of My Existence
Listeners who enjoyed the series’ previous title will enjoy the continuation. Buy where the first audiobook is popular.
A beautifully written and well-narrated page-turner that takes listeners along as a young ballerina discovers who she is and who she wants to be.
Listeners who enjoy light-hearted absurdity should enjoy this charming audio, where the search for home and happiness leads to new adventures.
PREMIUM
Those Empty Eyes
An intricately plotted suspense novel for fans of Lisa Gardner, Karin Slaughter, and Stacy Willingham.
Heron’s (Kamila Knows Best) hilarious yet introspective second-chance romance is perfect for fans of Jasmine Guillory and Talia Hibbert. Listeners will be charmed by its slow-burn relationship and enchanting happily-ever-after.
Oakley’s (The Invisible Husband of Frick Island) latest is a story with depth and heart, perfect for fans of Brooke Fossey’s The Big Finish or Sarah Morgan’s The Summer Seekers.
Recommend for summer beach-listening lists, as well as to fans of reality TV and Taylor Jenkins Reid’s Daisy Jones and the Six.
PREMIUM
The Odyssey of Phillis Wheatley: A Poet’s Journeys Through American Slavery and Independence
Poetry, history, and politics make excellent bedfellows. This engrossing biography, engaging in audio, is a recommended purchase for all libraries.
Set against the backdrop of Argentina’s 1970s Dirty War and dripping with atmospheric horror, this novel will reward listeners’ patience, revealing beauty among supernatural and all-too-human terrors.
PREMIUM
Girls and Their Horses
Brazier’s (Good Rich People) latest is part thriller and part coming-of-age story, exposing how money can and cannot buy happiness.
PREMIUM
Summer Reading
This audio will appeal to listeners seeking a fresh, funny rom-com with a neurodivergent twist on a bookworm-meets-babe trope. Recommended for fans of Emily Henry, Ashley Winstead, and Elle Cook.
PREMIUM
Once More with Feeling
This audio will appeal to listeners seeking a steamy pop-star rom-com about celebrity and second chances. Recommended for fans of Olivia Dade, Emily Henry, and Katherine Center.
PREMIUM
Hedge
Delury offers a sensitive portrayal of real family struggles, balanced with a side of history and gardening.
PREMIUM
Double Decker Dreams
Though not likely to inspire an insatiable fandom, this audio will appeal to listeners seeking a chaste friends-to-lovers contemporary romance. Recommended for fans of Abby Jimenez and Emily Henry.
This heartbreaking, exquisitely narrated audio should not be missed; an essential purchase for all collections.
PREMIUM
Murder Grove
Share with listeners who enjoy twisty mysteries where nothing is as it seems. The frantic, terrifying ending leaves a mark.
A deftly written, atmospheric short-story collection for fans of Jordan Peele, P. Djèlí Clarke, and Octavia E. Butler.
PREMIUM
Gone Tonight
Pekkanen’s (The Golden Couple, coauthored with Greer Hendricks) tangled web of lies and truth is a suspenseful, ever-surprising listen. Share with fans of Mary Kubica, Lisa Jewell, or Karin Slaughter.
PREMIUM
Romantic Comedy
Sittenfeld’s fans will appreciate her signature writing style, while those new to the author will enjoy this fun, Saturday Night Live–inspired novel.
PREMIUM
You, With a View
Garcia’s entertaining and expressive performance is a delight. A great addition to any contemporary romance collection.
PREMIUM
Charm City Rocks
DiMercurio’s depictions of Norman’s endearing characters, full of love for music and the people around them, strike exactly the right note. A satisfying, feel-good rom-com recommended for fans of Jonathan Topper and Richard Roper.
PREMIUM
Hot Pot Murder
A wonderful cozy, seasoned with delicious food descriptions and just the right amount of mystery. Recipes at the end of the novel offer listeners a chance to make the dishes Chow lovingly describes.
A novel that reveals the tension of upholding one’s principles even in the face of malevolence and depravity. A can’t-miss audio.
A storytelling masterpiece, this work will appeal to Neill’s fans and those interested in the film industry.
PREMIUM
Pomegranate
With topics such as life after incarceration, mental health among Black people, and a late bloomer coming out as LGBTQIA+, book clubs will flock to Lee’s novel. Recommended for all collections.
PREMIUM
The Cuban Heiress
Despite occasional plot missteps, the skilled narration and layered character portraits make for an enjoyable listen.
PREMIUM
Thicker Than Water
This character-driven psychological thriller is a welcome addition to any thriller or suspense collection. Pair with Alice Feeney’s Sometimes I Lie.
PREMIUM
Single Dads Club
This title should have broad appeal, from listeners seeking a multilayered romance to those who appreciate stories about found families and new beginnings.
PREMIUM
Lucien & Olivia
An exquisitely drawn story that comes to life through Baker’s exceptional narration. A recommended purchase for all libraries.
PREMIUM
The Lake House
Morton’s considerable popularity makes this a recommended purchase, although audiences may want to stick with the print version instead.
PREMIUM
We Have Never Lived on Earth
This audio will appeal to listeners seeking brief, beautiful stories about family, friendships, and their power to transform. Recommended for fans of Chelsea Bieker, Elizabeth Strout, and Zadie Smith.
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