Sound Commentary - Your Wise Guide to Audiobooks and Audio Book Reviews

Rules of Civility by Amor Towles

by Nola Theiss

Tue, May 01, 2012

“Rebecca Lowman has a soft cultured, well-modulated voice reflective of Katey’s personality.”

Locked On by Tom Clancy

by Sue Rosenzweig

Tue, May 01, 2012

“Lou Diamond Phillips skillfully helps us keep everything straight using great Russian and Pakistani accents.”

Just My Type by Simon Garfield

by Joanna Theiss

Tue, May 01, 2012

“Reader Gildart Jackson, with his deep voice and English accent, is perfectly suited to Just My Type because he is able to introduce the right amount of mock seriousness and whimsy to this playful work.”

*Among the Missing by Morag Joss

by Carol Kellerman

Tue, May 01, 2012

“Author Morag Joss’s prose is beautiful in this fascinating psychological thriller, her seventh novel.”

Two Rings by Millie Werber

by Nola Theiss

Tue, May 01, 2012

“Millie slowly opened up to Eve the story of how she survived as a Jewish teenager, first by working in a munitions factory and later in Auschwitz.”

The Camelot Conspiracy by E. Duke Vincent

by Nola Theiss

Tue, May 01, 2012

“[Narrator Paul Boehmer] sounds like he would be great in a “Mad Men” episode.”

The Great Leader by Jim Harrison

by Joanna Theiss

Tue, May 01, 2012

“The Great Leader, A Faux Mystery, by Jim Harrison, has the earmarks of a traditional mystery, especially the grizzled, semi-retired detective, on the trail of one last bad guy, but this novel is aptly titled a "faux mystery" because it heads into territory which few traditional mysteries would dare walk.”

The Quiet World by Douglas Brinkley

by Janet Julian

Tue, May 01, 2012

“This detailed account is narrated by Andrew Garman, who captures both the drama and the quiet poetry of the text. Highly recommended.”

Emotional Life of Your Brain by Richard Davidson

by Nancy Chaplin

Tue, May 01, 2012

“...there is vindication that the sixties’ counter-culture delving into practices which have since become somewhat mainstream has had a positive impact for many which scientific evidence supports.”

Light from a Distant Star by Mary McGarry Morris

by Mary Purucker

Tue, May 01, 2012

“Amy Rubinaire’s light girlish voice is exactly right for Nellie and easily moves among the other characters with just the right touch.”

Throne of the Crescent Moon by Saladin Ahmed

by Hugh M. Flick

Tue, May 01, 2012

This fine tale has its share of crazy demons and evil monsters which Gigante renders most believably.

*A History of the Olymbics by John Goodbody

by Susan Offner

Tue, May 01, 2012

“With the 2012 Olympic games only months away, this is an entertaining and timely listen.”

Northwest Angle by William Kent Krueger

by Mary Purucker

Tue, May 01, 2012

“... [Buck Schirner] tells a good tale and keeps his audience involved in the complications of the action that are as vast as the lake itself.”

Sister Queens by Julia Fox

by Janet Julian

Tue, May 01, 2012

“Award-winning narrator Rosalyn Landor brings these two complicated women to life with an intelligent full-voiced reading.”

The Hypnotist by Lars Kepler

by Janet Julian

Tue, May 01, 2012

“As the investigation progresses through 110 brief movie-like chapters over several weeks, we wade into a world of lunacy, graphic violence, revenge, gangs of murderous Pokemon children, abuse, enthusiastic sex, a kidnapping and a heart-stopping climax.”

My Dog Tulip by J.R. Ackerley

by Joanna Theiss

Tue, May 01, 2012

“Ackerley’s superb writing and grasp of the range of human feeling towards animals, recommends My Dog Tulip even to those largely impervious to the charms of the dogs among us.”

Ragnarok by A.S. Byatt

by Hugh M. Flick

Tue, May 01, 2012

“Distinguished British stage and television actress Harriet Walter’s fine reading expresses the poetic quality of the text very well.”

My Wicked Little Lies by Victoria Alexander

by Carol Reich

Tue, May 01, 2012

“This is a light romance set in Victorian times and very well narrated by Justine Eyre.”

kill Shot by Vince Flynn

by Mary Purucker

Tue, May 01, 2012

“In the second prequel to the Mitch Rapp series (following American Assassin) Rapp is a little older and smarter if not wiser and determined to rid the world of terrorists and their enablers who are responsible for murderous actions....”

The Eighty-dollar Champion by Elizabeth Letts

by Carol Kellerman

Tue, May 01, 2012

“Actor Bronson Pinchot’s excellent reading captures in his voice the many facets of the personality of the humble man who is Harry de Leyer: husband, father of eight children, businessman, horse trader and trainer.”

House of Stone by Anthony Shadid

by Nola Theiss

Tue, May 01, 2012

“While telling the story of the house, [Shadid] also tells the story of Lebanon, of his family’s travails and of his own way home.”

Reign of Madness by Lynn Cullen

by Susan Allison

Tue, May 01, 2012

“Australian actress Susan Lyons, well-known in both television and films, especially for her Shakespearean roles, creates a sympathetic character in Juana, through her gentle voice as she shares Juana’s expressions of concern for her children and faithful servant women.”

The Cat's Table by Michael Ondaatje

by Joanna Theiss

Tue, May 01, 2012

“The audiobook is read by the author, which is fitting for this work because it could easily be mistaken for a memoir (though it is billed as a novel)....”

1Q84 by Haruki Murakami

by Debbie Henderson

Tue, May 01, 2012

"This audio book is 38 discs of listening pleasure."

*Fall from Grace by Richard North Patterson

by Jean Palmer

Tue, May 01, 2012

“Actor Dennis Boutsikaris’ low key, methodical reading is just right for this tragic, suspense filled story set in a very beautifully described Martha’s Vineyard.”

*Elegy for Eddie by Jacqueline Winspear

by Jean Palmer

Tue, May 01, 2012

“Stage and television actress Orlagh Cassidy weaves her special magic once again in her full-voiced narration of this latest Maisie Dobbs mystery novel set in 1933 London.”

*Bringing Up Bebe by Pam Druckerman

by Jean Palmer

Tue, May 01, 2012

“This is a real eye-opener and much might definitely prove helpful to American parents stressed out from constantly hovering over whining children and exhausted because their children still do not sleep through the night even at the advanced ages of three or four years – rare in France! “

*Chomp by Carl Hiaasen

by Jean Palmer

Tue, May 01, 2012

On Canaan's Side by Sebastian Barry

by Joanna Theiss

Tue, May 01, 2012

“Narrator Wanda McCaddon gives her usual polished performance in her reading, succeeding in enhancing Barry’s sad but lovely tale....”

*Candide and Zadig by Voltaire

by Nola Theiss

Tue, May 01, 2012

“Clive Chafer’s reading is superb as he narrates the absurd details very sincerely with a full voiced reading which adds to the irony of the works.”

The Chalk Girl by Carol O'Connell

by Susan Allison

Tue, May 01, 2012

“Experienced, award-winning (8 Audies!) narrator Barbara Rosenblatt suits this novel with the variety of New York voices she provides...”

13 Million Dollar Pop by David Levien

by Mary Purucker

Tue, May 01, 2012

“A good for the road thriller.”

The Girl in the Garden by Kamala Nair

by Nola Theiss

Sun, Apr 01, 2012

“Anitha Gandhi reads with a distinct Indian accent for the Indian characters and she gives the Rahkee character a full-bodied personality in her narration.”

Against the Light by Dave Duncan

by Hugh M. Flick

Sun, Apr 01, 2012

“Dave Duncan’s Against the Light is an exciting and suspenseful fantasy tale of the forces of good represented by worshippers of the Earth Mother and the forces of evil who are represented by a corrupt Hierarchy that run the Church of Light.”

Hominids/Humans by Robert J. Sawyer

by Jean Palmer

Sun, Apr 01, 2012

“Apparently based on fact, as much as is available, Sawyer’s fictional exploration of the two parallel cultures, both very different yet similar in many ways, is fascinating and fun.”

*Once Upon a River by Bonnie Jo Campbell

by Mary Purucker

Sun, Apr 01, 2012

“This is one of those tales you don’t want to end and you want to end well.”

*Black Diamond by Martin Walker

by Jean Palmer

Sun, Apr 01, 2012

“A warm sun shines, people congregate, eat delicious food together, and smile a lot. Welcome to St. Denis; enjoy.”

There but for The by Ali Smith

by Nola Theiss

Sun, Apr 01, 2012

“Anne Flosniks’ skilled narration of the lovely, almost exaggerated, British accents brings out the age and personality differences and enhances the author’s witty use of language.”

*The Orphan Master's Son by Adam Johnson

by Joanna Theiss

Sun, Apr 01, 2012

“The Orphan Master’s Son is brought to life by the powerful contributions of three readers....”

*The Complete Stories of Anton Chekhov

by Nola Theiss

Sun, Apr 01, 2012

“As good as Chekhov’s stories are, Anthony Heald’s reading makes them even better.”

*Here Comes Trouble by Michael Moore

by Nancy Chaplin

Sun, Apr 01, 2012

“Cover and title are cute, but the content is as intense and serious as the documentaries Moore is famous for.”

The Impossible Dead by Ian Rankin

by Marc Horton

Sun, Apr 01, 2012

“Authors are lucky enough to have created even one successful series, but Rankin has created, in Malcolm Fox, another complex and compelling (if a bit dour, compared to Rebus) protagonist that will be worth exploring in future novels.”

Nanjing Requiem by Ha Jin

by Pat Dole

Sun, Apr 01, 2012

“...a gripping account of Chinese suffering and Japanese cruelty.”

*Endgame by Frank Brady

by Janet Julian

Sun, Apr 01, 2012

“[Author Frank Brady] tells Bobby's story with honesty and corrects erroneous notions about Bobby's relationship with his Jewish mother.”

The Ghost of Greenwich Village by Lorna Graham

by Sue Rosenzweig

Sun, Apr 01, 2012

“The author’s description of landmarks in the Village is based on her personal experiences as a resident there plus her successes and failures as a TV script writer.”

The Candy Machine by Tom Feiling

by Joanna Theiss

Sun, Apr 01, 2012

“In The Candy Machine, Tom Feiling, an English journalist and filmmaker, explores cocaine’s trade routes, detailing the environmental, economic and political problems that the war on drugs has wrought in South and Central America, the Caribbean, the United States and Europe.”

The Gravy Train/ Bull Street/ Trojan Horse by David Lender

by Nancy Chaplin

Sun, Apr 01, 2012

“Crime can pay, not only to those who commit the crimes, but to enterprising novelists who write about it.”

The Hunter by John Lescroart

by Sue Rosenzweig

Sun, Apr 01, 2012

“Wyatt Hunt, adopted when he was young, gets a mysterious text message "How did your mother die?" that sends him on a quest to find out the truth about his birth parents.”

*The Highland Witch by Susan Fletcher

by Janet Julian

Sun, Apr 01, 2012

“As her story begins, Corrag is in prison, a week away from her execution for witchcraft.”

*Feast Day of Fools by James Lee Burke

by Sue Rosenzweig

Sun, Apr 01, 2012

“[Narrator Will Patton’s] characters' are nuanced and his reading of descriptions of the land is truly glorious.”