Features AudioFile Spotlight: Mystery & Suspense Audiobooks

For listeners who are eager to start the year with some big scares, psychological thrills, cozy mysteries, or fast-paced procedurals—there’s a lot of great listening in store for you this month! From silly to chilling, these five audiobooks are sure to keep your attention.

THE LAST DEVIL TO DIE: Thursday Murder Club, Book 4
By Richard Osman| Read by Fiona Shaw
AudioFile Earphones Award
Penguin Audio | 11 hrs.

Fiona Shaw returns to the Thursday Murder Club series with a tour-de-force performance befitting Richard Osman’s rich character development and cleverly connected crimes. Shaw’s subtle variations in tone, cadence, and accent distinguish the familiar residents of Cooper’s Chase, as well as the sweeping cast of police detectives and criminals. A fascinating discussion between author and narrator ends the audiobook.

REVIEW

LEST SHE FORGET
By Lisa Malice| Read by Kimberly M. Wetherell, Nelson Hobbs
AudioFile Earphones Award
CamCat Books | 11 hrs.

Kay Smith has awoken from a coma and can’t remember who she is. She’s haunted by nightmares and an inner voice that warns her to stay hidden. Kimberly Wetherell gives an amazing performance as the distraught heroine who copes with amnesia and a sense of doom. Nelson Hobbs steps in as the maniacal killer who is sent to take care of Kay. With an impeccable sense of timing, he gives a performance that will make listeners love to hate him. Bravo to this psychological thriller and its sensational narrators.

REVIEW

DIRTY THIRTY: Stephanie Plum, Book 30
By Janet Evanovich| Read by Lorelei King
Simon & Schuster Audio | 8 hrs.

Lorelei King, who has become the voice of Stephanie Plum, will delight fans in this 30th addition to the series. King masterfully performs the quirky crew surrounding bounty hunter Stephanie, including familiar and new characters. The plot, filled with laugh-out-loud moments, follows Stephanie and her sidekick, Lula, as they track down a colorful collection of felons. The true joy for fans lies in spending time with Evanovich’s beloved characters, vividly brought to life in King’s narration.

REVIEW

THE RISE: A Short Story
By Ian Rankin| Read by Indira Varma
Brilliance Audio | 2.5 hrs.

Indira Varma is the perfect match for Rankin’s short mystery set in a prestigious apartment building in the center of London. When D.S. Gish and D.I. Milton are called in to investigate the murder of a young concierge, they soon find that the residents of the building are their only suspects. Varma creates believable and likable characters in the two detectives. Her spot-on pacing keeps the listener engaged as the clues and red herrings keep coming.

REVIEW

RESURRECTION WALK: Lincoln Lawyer, Book 7
By Michael Connelly| Read by Peter Giles, Titus Welliver, Christine Lakin
Hachette Audio | 10.5 hrs.

Peter Giles masterfully portrays the Lincoln Lawyer, Mickey Haller, a defense attorney whose office is his car. Giles is joined by Titus Welliver, as LAPD Detective Harry Bosch, and Christine Lakin, as Renée Ballard. Listeners once again experience Bosch’s struggles working for the defense and gain insight into Haller’s enlightenment. Michael Connelly’s enthralling crime/legal thriller presented by three exceptional narrators provides a totally compelling listening experience.

REVIEW

AudioFile Spotlight: Mystery & Suspense Audiobooks