Behind the Mic with AudioFile Magazine

AudioFile Editor and Founder Robin Whitten joins host Jo Reed this week to discuss three gripping new mystery audiobooks that share a dark wit and anti-establishment protagonists. Martin Cruz Smith’s HOTEL UKRAINE, narrated by Jeremy Bobb, is a compact suspense about Detective Arkady Renko and the early days of the invasion of Ukraine; CLOWN TOWN by Mick Herron is the ninth installment of the popular Slough House series, read by Golden Voice Gerard Doyle; and THE HALLMARKED MAN by Robert Galbraith is a lengthy but memorable 8th mystery in the Comoran Strike series, read by Robert Glenister. Read our reviews of the audiobooks at our website:  HOTEL UKRAINE: Published by Hachette Audio CLOWN TOWN: Published by Recorded Books THE HALLMARKED MAN: Published by Hachette Audio Discover thousands of audiobook reviews and more at AudioFile’s website   Support for AudioFile's Behind the Mic comes from Blackstone Publishing: an independent, award-winning publisher of bestselling books and audiobooks. Find your next great listen at BlackstonePublishing.com. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

AudioFile awards Earphones to exceptional audio experiences—it’s our version of a starred review, specifically for the audiobook. Host Jo Reed and AudioFile’s Laura Rossi discuss three recent Earphones Award-winning audiobooks that delve deeply into the human experience. Laura and Jo discuss the controversial, posthumously published NOTES TO JOHN by Joan Didion, read by Julianne Moore; CRY FOR ME, ARGENTINA: My Life As a Failed Child Star by comedian Tamara Yajia, read by Tamara Yajia; and the highly anticipated memoir by Jen Hatmaker, AWAKE, read by the author. Read our reviews of the audiobooks at our website:  NOTES TO JOHN: Published by Random House Audio CRY FOR ME, ARGENTINA:   Published by Bloomsbury Publishing AWAKE: Published by Simon & Schuster Audio Discover thousands of audiobook reviews and more at AudioFile’s website   Support for AudioFile's Behind the Mic comes from Blackstone Publishing: an independent, award-winning publisher of bestselling books and audiobooks. Find your next great listen at BlackstonePublishing.com.   Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

This week, host Jo Reed and AudioFile contributor Leslie Fine review three new audiobooks that harbor family secrets and feature excellent character development. A woman grapples with her roles as wife, mother, and more in SAME AS IT EVER WAS by Claire Lombardo, read by Emily Rankin; a father and daughter are living off the grid in WHAT KIND OF PARADISE by Janelle Brown, read by Peter Ganim and Helen Laser; and a quiet English farm is disturbed by a murder mystery in BROKEN COUNTRY by Clare Leslie Hall, read by Hattie Morahan. SAME AS IT EVER WAS: Published by Random House Audio WHAT KIND OF PARADISE:   Published by Random House Audio BROKEN COUNTRY: Published by Simon & Schuster Audio Discover thousands of audiobook reviews and more at AudioFile’s website   Support for AudioFile's Behind the Mic comes from Blackstone Publishing: an independent, award-winning publisher of bestselling books and audiobooks. Find your next great listen at BlackstonePublishing.com. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

This week, host Jo Reed and AudioFile contributor Alan Minskoff review three new audiobooks, both fiction and nonfiction, that revolve around diverse types of turbulence a family might encounter: The tragic American family saga of THE SPINACH KING by John Seabrook, read by Dion Graham; ON ISABELLA STREET, a historical novel set in a pre- and post-Vietnam War Toronto, by Genevieve Graham, read by Liz Leafloor and Erin Moon; and SO FAR GONE by Jess Walter, read by Edoardo Ballerini, a satirical novel on the rise of religious fundamentalist militias. THE SPINACH KING: Published by HighBridge Audio ON ISABELLA STREET:   Published by Simon & Schuster Audio SO FAR GONE: Published by Harper Audio Discover thousands of audiobook reviews and more at AudioFile’s website   Support for AudioFile's Behind the Mic comes from Blackstone Publishing: an independent, award-winning publisher of bestselling books and audiobooks. Find your next great listen at BlackstonePublishing.com. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

This week, host Jo Reed welcomes AudioFile contributor Kendra Winchester to chat about three new sci-fi/fantasy audiobook gems: MODERATION, written and read by Elaine Castillo, a cautionary tale that dives into tech, class, and immigration; SUNBIRTH by An Yu, a character-driven story in which slices of the sun start disappearing, read by Mei Mei Macleod; and a historical horror-romance with elements of fantasy, THE POSSESSION OF ALBA DÍAZ by Isabel Cañas, read by Carolina Hoyos and Anthony Rey Perez. MODERATION: Published by Penguin Audio SUNBIRTH: Published by Simon & Schuster Audio THE POSSESSION OF ALBA DÍAZ:   Published by Penguin Audio Discover thousands of audiobook reviews and more at AudioFile’s website   Support for AudioFile's Behind the Mic comes from Blackstone Publishing: an independent, award-winning publisher of bestselling books and audiobooks. Find your next great listen at BlackstonePublishing.com.   Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

This week, host Jo Reed welcomes AudioFile contributor Alex Richey. Together, they’ll chat all about vampires, monsters, and witches in three sci-fi/fantasy/horror audiobooks: BURY OUR BONES IN THE MIDNIGHT SOIL, a multiple-POV sapphic vampire story by V.E. Schwab, read by Julia Whelan, Katie Leung, and Marisa Calin; the “bonkers” genre-bending OF MONSTERS AND MAINFRAMES by Barbara Truelove, read by Chris Devon, Emana Rachelle, Charlie Albers, Eve Passeltiner, Zura Johnson, Cary Hite, and Gail Shalan; and a multi-generational horror story by Silvia Moreno-Garcia, THE BEWITCHING, read by Gisela Chípe. BURY OUR BONES IN THE MIDNIGHT SOIL: Published by Macmillan Audio OF MONSTERS AND MAINFRAMES: Published by Dreamscape THE BEWITCHING: Published by Random House Audio Discover thousands of audiobook reviews and more at AudioFile’s website  Today’s episode is brought to you by Hachette Audio and the audiobook Kiss Her Goodbye, the newest Lisa Gardner thriller, read by Hillary Huber. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Host Jo Reed and AudioFile’s Stephen Cummings discuss three audiobook biographies in which the New York City of the 1970s and ’80s plays a key role. This week, they’ll highlight LORNE by Susan Morrison, read by Kristen DiMercurio and the author, about the Saturday Night Live creator; YOKO by David Sheff, read by Max Meyers, an intimate look at the avant-garde artist; and I REGRET ALMOST EVERYTHING by Keith McNally and read by Richard E. Grant, a highly enjoyable listen about the legendary restaurateur. Read our reviews of the audiobooks at our website:  LORNE by Susan Morrison, read by Kristen DiMercurio, Susan Morrison Published by Random House Audio YOKO by David Sheff, read by Max Meyers Published by Simon & Schuster Audio I REGRET ALMOST EVERYTHING by Keith McNally, read by Richard E. Grant Published by Simon & Schuster Audio Discover thousands of audiobook reviews and more at AudioFile’s website   Today’s episode is brought to you by Hachette Audio and the audiobook Kiss Her Goodbye, the newest Lisa Gardner thriller, read by Hillary Huber. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Host Jo Reed and AudioFile’s Michele Cobb discuss three audiobooks that have two or more narrators in the cast. Together they’ll speak about: Taylor Jenkins Reid’s queer love story set in the 1980s space race, ATMOSPHERE read by Julia Whelan and Kristen DiMercurio. A thriller complete with kidnappings and a mysterious house in THE OTHER PEOPLE by C.B. Everett, read by Heather Long and Kaffe Keating. Finally, FAR AND AWAY a Dallas-to-Berlin house-swap family drama written by Amy Poeppel, and read by Patti Murin, Lisa Flanagan, Jennifer Jill Araya, Kevin R. Free, and Pete Simonelli. Read our reviews of the audiobooks at our website:  ATMOSPHERE: Published by Random House THE OTHER PEOPLE: Published by Simon & Schuster Audio FAR AND AWAY: Published by Simon & Schuster Audio Discover thousands of audiobook reviews and more at Audiofile Magazine   Today’s episode is brought to you by Hachette Audio and the audiobook Kiss Her Goodbye, the newest Lisa Gardner thriller, read by Hillary Huber. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Adriana Trigiani is an award-winning playwright, television writer, producer, filmmaker, podcaster, and the bestselling author of some twenty books both fiction and nonfiction, including THE SHOEMAKER’S WIFE, the BIG STONE GAP series, and LUCIA, LUCIA. Adriana’s latest book is THE VIEW FROM LAKE COMO, narrated by Academy Award-winner Mira Sorvino. As with all of her titles, THE VIEW FROM LAKE COMO is filled with complex characters with complicated and deeply felt family relationships. In this episode, host Jo Reed and Adriana Trigiani talk about her work, swoon-worthy audiobooks, and Mira Sorvino’s great talent.  Read our review of THE VIEW FROM LAKE COMO, published by Penguin Audio. Discover thousands of audiobook reviews and more at AudioFile’s website   Support for Behind the Mic comes from Hachette Audio, publisher of the audiobook edition of KISS HER GOODBYE by Lisa Gardner, read by Hillary Huber. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

AudioFile awards Earphones to exceptional audio experiences—it’s our version of a starred review, specifically for the audiobook. Host Jo Reed and AudioFile’s Laura Rossi discuss three recent Earphones Award-winning audiobooks. Laura and Jo highlight WHALE EYES: A Memoir About Seeing and Being Seen written and read by documentarian James Robinson; WHERE THE RIVERS MERGE, Mary Alice Monroe’s novel set in the South Carolina Low Country and performed by Cassandra Campbell and Jenna Lamia along with the author; and NEVER FLINCH, Stephen King’s crime thriller, read by Jessie Mueller. Read our reviews of the audiobooks at our website:  WHALE EYES Published by Listening Library WHERE THE RIVERS MERGE Published by Harper Audio NEVER FLINCH Published by Simon & Schuster Audio Discover thousands of audiobook reviews and more at AudioFile’s website   Support for Behind the Mic comes from Hachette Audio, publisher of the audiobook edition of KISS HER GOODBYE by Lisa Gardner, read by Hillary Huber. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

AudioFile’s Michele Cobb is joined by author Cadwell Turnbull and Golden Voice narrator Dion Graham to talk about TRANSMENTATION | TRANSIENCE, the first installment in a sprawling and ambitious multiverse filled with adventure and political intrigue. Graham’s intense yet soft-spoken presentation of the narrative sets the background for the dialogue, which he delivers with a masterful use of tone, inflection, volume, and accents. Listen as they discuss moments that influenced Graham’s narration process, Turnbull’s vision on the ultimate sound and feeling of the audiobook, and what it’s like to be one of five authors in a trenchcoat. Read the full review of the audiobook on AudioFile’s website. Published by Blackstone Publishing. Discover thousands of audiobook reviews and more at AudioFile’s website Today’s episode is sponsored by Blackstone Publishing. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

AudioFile’s Robin Whitten and host Jo Reed discuss this gripping audiobook. Colter Shaw—tracker and survivalist—is hired to locate a missing family trapped after a levee collapses during a catastrophic storm. As he searches, Shaw uncovers a sinister plot that suggests the disaster may not have been entirely natural. Narrator Kaleo Griffith delivers a masterful performance, giving each character a distinct and memorable voice. With layered characters brought to life with escalating tension and outstanding narration, this latest installment in the series is a taut thriller that showcases Jeffery Deaver's storytelling and Griffith's exceptional vocal range.  Read our review of the audiobook at our website Published by Harper Audio Discover thousands of audiobook reviews and more at AudioFile’s website   Support for Behind the Mic comes from Hachette Audio and NIGHT WATCHER, by Daphne Woolsoncroft (of the Going West podcast), who read an audio-exclusive author's note before the stunning dual-narration by Will Collyer and Helen Laser. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Golden Voice Rupert Degas returns to transport listeners to New Zealand and Indonesia in the fourth Yoga Mat mystery. Fans will recognize returning characters, while listeners new to the series will find enough backstory to follow along. Australian secret agent Ric Peters wrestles with the dangers of his job and his need to protect his fiancée, a lawyer and yoga instructor. A visit to Ric’s parents in New Zealand leads to two missing-person cases linked to a toxic waste site. Join host Jo Reed and AudioFile’s Robin Whitten as they uncover Degas’s masterful delivery of the fast-paced, nonstop, life-and-death situations. Read our review of the audiobook at our website Published by Harper Audio Discover thousands of audiobook reviews and more at AudioFile’s website Support for Behind the Mic comes from Hachette Audio and NIGHT WATCHER, by Daphne Woolsoncroft (of the Going West podcast), who read an audio-exclusive author's note before the stunning dual-narration by Will Collyer and Helen Laser. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Narrator Adam Lazarre-White once again immerses listeners in a dark, complex world crafted by S.A. Cosby. Join AudioFile’s Robin Whitten and host Jo Reed as they discuss this gripping story which explores identity, justice, and long-buried family trauma. When Roman Carruthers returns to his hometown to care for his dying father and support his sister, he’s drawn into rescuing his troubled brother. As past and present collide, the mystery of their mother’s decades-old disappearance resurfaces. Lazarre-White masterfully voices a wide range of characters—male and female—capturing both external conflict and internal turmoil with emotional depth.  Read our review of the audiobook at our website Published by Harper Audio Discover thousands of audiobook reviews and more at AudioFile’s website Support for Behind the Mic comes from Hachette Audio and NIGHT WATCHER, by Daphne Woolsoncroft (of the Going West podcast), who read an audio-exclusive author's note before the stunning dual-narration by Will Collyer and Helen Laser. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Host Jo Reed and AudioFile’s Robin Whitten discuss Peter Swanson’s intriguing mystery, superbly delivered by Steven Weber. The audiobook’s structure goes backwards from 2023 to 1982—telling a story that’s like a giant jigsaw puzzle. Thom and Wendy Graves have been married for 25 years. When Wendy discovers Thom is about to reveal a terrible secret, she decides she must kill him. With timing, keen sensibilities, and touches of dramatic irony, Weber makes each important moment in the couple’s lives as real as the moment before. A clever premise does not disappoint, and Weber’s performance makes it even better.  Read our review of the audiobook at our website Published by Harper Audio Discover thousands of audiobook reviews and more at AudioFile’s website Support for Behind the Mic comes from Hachette Audio and NIGHT WATCHER, by Daphne Woolsoncroft (of the Going West podcast), who read an audio-exclusive author's note before the stunning dual-narration by Will Collyer and Helen Laser. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

AudioFile’s Michele Cobb is joined by Golden Voice narrator Bahni Turpin to talk about THE GOSPEL ACCORDING TO SASHA RENEE, the first entry in THE GOSPEL OF GRACE WOMEN trilogy. Turpin’s masterful performance breathes relatability into the character of Sasha Renee Billingsly as she navigates her views on herself, love, and spirituality. Listen as Turpin discusses how she engaged aspects of her craft to embody a variety of characters in the audiobook, and how the audio-only format offers a unique storytelling experience. Read the full review of the audiobook on AudioFile’s website. Published by Dreamscape First. Discover thousands of audiobook reviews and more at AudioFile’s website Today’s episode is sponsored by Dreamscape. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

AudioFile’s Leslie Fine and host Jo Reed discuss Annie B. Jones’s essay collection, which she also narrates, about all the ways an ordinary life can feel extraordinary. An independent bookstore owner and host of the popular podcast “From the Front Porch,” Jones narrates with confidence, a lively intonation, and expert pacing. The Florida native has a sweet voice with an audible smile that welcomes listeners into her life as she tells thoughtful, often funny anecdotes that explore what makes life meaningful. Read our review of the audiobook at our website Published by Harper Audio Discover thousands of audiobook reviews and more at AudioFile’s website   Support for Behind the Mic comes from Hachette Audio and NIGHT WATCHER, by Daphne Woolsoncroft (of the Going West podcast), who read an audio-exclusive author's note before the stunning dual-narration by Will Collyer and Helen Laser. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Host Jo Reed and AudioFile’s Leslie Fine dive into the latest novel by the talented Swedish novelist Fredrik Backman. Golden Voice narrator Marin Ireland grandly performs this story of art, friendship, and what it means to be a teen. Ireland replicates the snarky tone of Louisa, who has just released herself from foster care to go see the work of art that is the fulcrum of the plot. Backman has created indelible characters and laugh-out-loud moments. Ireland is simply splendid. Read our review of the audiobook at our website Published by Simon & Schuster Audio Discover thousands of audiobook reviews and more at AudioFile’s website Support for Behind the Mic comes from Hachette Audio and NIGHT WATCHER, by Daphne Woolsoncroft (of the Going West podcast), who read an audio-exclusive author's note before the stunning dual-narration by Will Collyer and Helen Laser. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

AudioFile’s Leslie Fine and host Jo Reed explore Brian Nishii’s exceptional performance of this touching, well-documented personal growth audiobook. The author, a psychology professor and native of Japan, explains through vivid personal stories and accessible research that a psychologically rich life can be ours by nurturing our curiosity, exploring the novel and unfamiliar, and becoming open to experiences that provoke strong emotions and memorable moments.  Read our review of the audiobook at our website Published by Random House Audio Discover thousands of audiobook reviews and more at AudioFile’s website   Support for Behind the Mic comes from Hachette Audio and NIGHT WATCHER, by Daphne Woolsoncroft (of the Going West podcast), who read an audio-exclusive author's note before the stunning dual-narration by Will Collyer and Helen Laser. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Join host Jo Reed and AudioFile’s Leslie Fine as they discuss John Kenney’s latest novel, which successfully walks a tightrope between dark humor and genuine warmth. Sean Patrick Hopkins’s narration provides the necessary balance. Bud Stanley is a newspaper writer who one night drunkenly writes and publishes his own obituary, setting in motion a grimly amusing series of events. Together, author and narrator have created a funny and affirming novel about how understanding death can transform one’s life. Read our review of the audiobook at our website Published by Zibby Publishing Discover thousands of audiobook reviews and more at AudioFile’s website Support for Behind the Mic comes from Hachette Audio and NIGHT WATCHER, by Daphne Woolsoncroft (of the Going West podcast), who read an audio-exclusive author's note before the stunning dual-narration by Will Collyer and Helen Laser. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices