Audio

Fiction

Veteran CIA operative Berntsen and novelist/playwright Pezzullo (The Resurrection of Thomas Lear), who together wrote the 2005 New York Times best seller Jawbreaker: The Attack on Bin Laden and al Qaeda, here present an engaging fictional foray into the war on terrorism. Unfortunately, narrator Dean Robertson's (Carolina Moon) voicing of the multiple characters, especially the females, lacks depth. Recommended for large collections with high demand for espionage. [Audio clip available through library.booksontape.com.—Ed.]—Sandy Glover, Camas P.L., WA

These 25 early stories by Grand Master Block, dating from 1958 to 1962, are ably read by the author himself, Scott Brick, Mike Chamberlain, Robert Forster, and veteran Block interpreter John H. Mayer. Primarily of interest to Block completists and fans of the period, they focus on small-time criminals and con men and are often brutally violent. Of a much higher caliber are the three hard-boiled novellas about PI Ed London, read in an appropriately world-weary, sardonic style by Forster. For the novellas alone, highly recommended for popular collections. [Audio clip available through library.booksontape.com; the Harper pb was recommended "if your taste runs to cheap detectives, cheaper crooks, and D-cup damsels," LJ 9/1/08.—Ed.]—Michael Adams, CUNY Graduate Ctr. Lib.

Three police officers and a prosecutor emerge from the rubble of a Charleston, SC, fire as heroes—but are they? A firefighter and a newswoman grudgingly join forces to find out. In perennial New York Times best-selling author Brown's latest, the romance and suspense are tepid, and the plot is predictable. Actor Victor Slezak, who's narrated several other Brown novels (e.g., Play Dirty; White Hot) downplays the accents and other character-enhancing shading. This title will likely appeal to die-hard Brown fans and is recommended for libraries with a large selection of her work. [Audio clip available through www.simonandschuster.com.—Ed.]—Gwendolyn E. Osborne, Evanston, IL

In a departure from her Britt Montero series, Pulitzer Prize winner and two-time Edgar Award nominee Buchanan (www.ednabuchanan.com) presents a riveting new series thriller featuring former Witness Protection Program U.S. federal marshal Michael Venturi, charged with relocating a mobster-turned-government witness to a small, rural town. Actor/voice-over artist Mark Deakins (Beautiful Children) easily changes accents and attitudes as the plot demands. Aside from a few slips in and out of female voices during which certain characters sound nearly identical, his reading is an ideal match for the story. Essential for public library collections. [Audio clip available through library.booksontape.com.—Ed.]—Lisa Powell Williams, Moline P.L., IL

In a futuristic world fretted with alien tunnels, reporter Sierra McIntyre finds herself in a marriage of convenience with explorer John Fontana, head of the Ghost Hunters Guild, and a hot romance ensues. New York Times best-selling author Castle (author/librarian Jayne Ann Krentz) links this fifth title in the "Ghost Hunters" series with her "Arcane Society" series. Audie Award winner Joyce Bean's lightly dramatized interpretation and intuitive pacing move the story along, enhancing an otherwise merely competent book that is nonetheless sure to be popular with Castle/Krentz fans. Recommended for fiction collections where romance circulates well. [Audio clip available through library.brillianceaudio.com.—Ed.]—Janet Martin, Southern Pines P.L., NC

In New York Times best-selling author Crombie's (Dreaming of the Bones) 12th entry in the Duncan Kincaid/Gemma James series, Gemma looks into the reappearance of a valuable diamond pin last seen by its Jewish owner when she escaped Germany in 1938. Various major and minor characters narrate, each revealing glimpses of secrets and motives. This can be confusing at first, so listeners must pay close attention. British actress Jenny Sterlin is an expressive reader able to project the many emotions of Crombie's characters; her German accent is particularly effective. A good purchase for most public library mystery collections as either a series entry or a stand-alone. [The Morrow hc was published in June 2008; expect the mass market pb in June 2009.]—Juleigh Muirhead Clark, Colonial Williamsburg Fdn. Lib., VA

Audie Award winner Grover Gardner (The Story of Civilization), whose pseudonyms include Alexander Adams and Tom Parker, here gives a beautifully modulated reading of Fitzgerald's 1921 short story collection, whose title piece was adapted into an Academy Award-nominated movie starring Brad Pitt and Cate Blanchett. Fitzgerald is one of a small group of great 20th-century writers whose work is even better when read aloud. The companion PDF ebook is clear and well marked; highly recommended for all libraries. [Audio clip available through www.tantor.com; an alternate recording from Blackstone Audio, with Scott Brick reading, was recommended as "essential for libraries of any size," LJ 11/1/07.—Ed.]—I. Pour-El, Ames Jewish Congregation, IA

This first entry in internationally best-selling author Ghosh's (The Glass Palace) new "Ibis" trilogy revolves around the 19th-century opium trade. While the stories are grim, the language is beautiful, and actor/narrator Phil Gigante does an excellent job conveying it to listeners, moving swiftly and seamlessly among a variety of accents and pitches. The audiobook omits the glossary accompanying the print edition, but Gigante's inflexions give listeners a general idea of meaning. Highly recommended for all collections. [Audio clip available through library.brillianceaudio.com; the Farrar hc was recommended "for larger public library collections," LJ 10/1/08.—Ed.]—Juleigh Muirhead Clark, Colonial Williamsburg Fdn. Lib., VA

Each story in this mystery anthology is written by a different Minnesota author, including Ellen Hart, Carl Brookins, and Jess Lourey. While some of the whodunits are more engaging than others, all will elicit from listeners a greater appreciation of Minnesota's geographical and environmental aspects and perhaps even a desire to visit. Not all the authors show mastery of the steady and soundless page turn, but each generally reads well, pausing at the appropriate moments and avoiding caricature. Listeners will enjoy their words and voices both; recommended.—Lance Eaton, Somerville, MA

In three-time Shamus Award winner Pronzini's ("Nameless Detective" series) stand-alone thriller, divorcé and former military cop Rick Fallon, whose son's tragic death was instrumental to the failure of his marriage, identifies with a woman whose own son is kidnapped off a remote road in Death Valley, CA. With so many high-profile child abductions headlining the news and with the added strength of veteran Sound Library narrator and Audie Award finalist Nick Sullivan's (Touch the Top of the World) articulate reading, this is sure to capture listeners' attention. Highly recommended for all audio collections. [Audio clip available through www.bbcaudiobooksamerica.com.—Ed.]—Sandy Glover, Camas P.L., WA

Pulitzer Prize winner Roth returns to the territory of his first novel, Goodbye Columbus, in his 29th book, set in 1951 at a conservative Ohio college campus against the ever-present shadow of the early Korean War. Three-time Audie Award winner Dick Hill's accents and emotions are amazing in their realism; he takes listeners on a roller coaster ride of the incredible sadness and indignation of the short life of New Jersey-born protagonist Marcus Messner. A worthwhile listen, but the graphic descriptions of sex and sexual acts and preponderance of swearing don't recommend this to the sensitive listener. [Scott Rudin has acquired the film rights; the Houghton Harcourt hc received a starred review, LJ 9/1/08.—Ed.]—Scott R. DiMarco, Mansfield Univ. of Pennsylvania Lib.

When the earth's magnetic polarity begins to shift, an assortment of signs send scientists and various other interested parties scavenging to understand how the world will be impacted and whether the more catastrophic side effects can be prevented. Compared with other full-cast, sound-enhanced productions, like those from L.A. Theatre Works and Graphic Audio, this AudioMovie™ production feels a bit forced. While the 11 performances are decent, the sound effects are unequally distributed, and the soundtrack comes and goes without clear reason. Future productions would benefit from better direction and sound engineering. [Download the first two tracks at www.ajscudiere.com/audiomovie.htm.—Ed.]—Lance Eaton, Somerville, MA

Best-selling Italian cookbook author Hazan (Marcella Cucina) recalls in this charming memoir the adventures of her life's journey, sharing significant events as though reminiscing with a longtime friend. Actress/narrator Concetta Tomei's wonderfully enveloping voice transports the listener from Italy to New York and back to Italy, into kitchens and restaurants, all the while conveying the passion and dedication Hazan brings to her cooking. Transitional music bookends each disc; recommended for public libraries with larger audiobook collections, or where interest bears. [Audio clip available through www.harperaudio.com.—Ed.]—Donna Bachowski, Orange Cty. Lib. Syst., Orlando, FL

This live theatrical reading performance guide to Hubbard's The Last Drop, a collection of three pulp sf stories for students in grade seven and above, is free to librarians and educators. Accompanying the three CDs are a script, instructions, sound effects, music, and a live performance sample in which the story is acted out by professionals. The colorful packaging, retro illustrations, and simple instructions make this a fun tool to employ with teens, and the script is amusing and short enough not to intimidate first-time performers. Of interest to public and school librarians working with teens. [More free tools for educators at goldenagestories.com/html/educators.php; email jgoodwin@galaxypress.com to request your free copy.—Ed.]—Terry Ann Lawler, Phoenix P.L.

New York Times best-selling author Lakoff (Moral Politics) here cogently argues that the success of conservatives' impassioned worldviews implies that the electorate selects political platforms and representation based on emotion rather than reason. Thus, he concludes, Democrats would be most effective if they refused to accept the Republican construct of the world and instead reframed the issues to reflect their own views. Actor/narrator Kent Cassella (Even Buffett Isn't Perfect) gives an appropriately somber reading of this scholarly material, which is ideal for academic libraries. [Audio clip available through www.tantor.com.—Ed.]—Deb West, Gannon Univ. Lib., Erie, PA

In this evenhanded, informative, and practical primer on managing rental property, McElroy (The Advanced Guide to Real Estate Investing) covers everything from setting reasonable rent to determining true costs vs. true earnings. Dave Mallow (The Commission), who's read several other titles in this series, delivers another solid performance, though some may find it difficult to follow the math without seeing it on paper. An end-of-disc indicator would have been helpful; purchase where needed.—Laurie Selwyn, formerly with Grayson Cty. Law Lib., Sherman, TX

Maloney (founder & principal, Gold & Silver Inc.) provides an excellent discussion of the history of the currency and trends of the precious-metals markets. Yet, though he states that investing in anything can be risky, his occasional use of hyperbole makes it sound as though he is actively selling the listener on precious metals. Christian Rummel's (The Gate House) reading is professional, well paced, and accent-free. An end-of-disc indicator would have been helpful; purchase where needed.—Laurie Selwyn, formerly with Grayson Cty. Law Lib., Sherman, TX

Morgan's 2000 novel, Gap Creek, was both a New York Times best seller and an Oprah Book Club selection. Here, he tackles a difficult and complex subject—American frontier legend Daniel Boone—with tact, detailed scholarship, and even a bit of poetry. Narrator James Jenner (The Plague) maintains a steady pace throughout, making this lively work all the more interesting. This title will doubtless find its place as a classic about early American history. Highly recommended. [The Algonquin hc received a starred review, LJ 7/07.—Ed.]—Scott R. DiMarco, Mansfield Univ. of Pennsylvania Lib.

Summerscale's second work of nonfiction, following The Queen of Whale Cay (1997), is at once a riveting true-crime tale, a fascinating history of the origins of detective fiction, and sharp social commentary on Victorian sensibilities. Audie Award winner Simon Vance's (The Spanish Game) sublime narration transforms listeners into armchair detectives as though they're standing alongside incomparable Scotland Yard detective-inspector Jonathan Whicher as he makes his inquiries. Essential for crime and mystery collections. [Audio clip available through www.highbridgeaudio.com; the Walker hc was recommended "for public and academic libraries," LJ 2/1/08.—Ed.]—Beth Farrell, Portage Cty. Dist. Lib., Garrettsville, OH