Kaui
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Babel
- Or the Necessity of Violence: An Arcane History of the Oxford Translators' Revolution
- By: R. F. Kuang
- Narrated by: Chris Lew Kum Hoi, Billie Fulford-Brown
- Length: 21 hrs and 46 mins
- Unabridged
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Overall4.5 out of 5 stars 4,724
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Performance4.5 out of 5 stars 4,188
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Story4.5 out of 5 stars 4,181
1828. Robin Swift, orphaned by cholera in Canton, is brought to London by the mysterious Professor Lovell. There, he trains for years in Latin, Ancient Greek, and Chinese, all in preparation for the day he’ll enroll in Oxford University’s prestigious Royal Institute of Translation—also known as Babel. Babel is the world's center for translation and, more importantly, magic. Silver working—the art of manifesting the meaning lost in translation using enchanted silver bars—has made the British unparalleled in power, as its knowledge serves the Empire’s quest for colonization.
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5 out of 5 stars
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The novel language lovers have been waiting for
- By LisaLee on 09-06-22
- Babel
- Or the Necessity of Violence: An Arcane History of the Oxford Translators' Revolution
- By: R. F. Kuang
- Narrated by: Chris Lew Kum Hoi, Billie Fulford-Brown
A great story that suffers under its own weight
Reviewed: 05-03-23
This book was OK. A very cool story, a really neat alternative history historical novel mixed with magic and etymology but in the end, poorly edited and bloated and also pedantic about race issues (it's set in Britain's heyday and addresses racism and colonialism) in a way that made me disengage from the book and I ended up slogging through it (557pp!) just because I am a finisher LOL But I don't recommend it even for the gems located in various parts of the book, mostly regarding translation between languages and etymological histories of words in different languages and how the magic is in the imperfection of the translation.
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The Woman in the Library
- By: Sulari Gentill
- Narrated by: Katherine Littrell
- Length: 8 hrs and 58 mins
- Unabridged
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Overall4 out of 5 stars 686
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Performance4.5 out of 5 stars 605
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Story4 out of 5 stars 609
The ornate reading room at the Boston Public Library is quiet—until the tranquility is shattered by a woman's terrified scream. Security guards take charge immediately, instructing everyone inside to stay put until the threat is identified and contained. While they wait for the all-clear, four strangers, who'd happened to sit at the same table, pass the time in conversation, and friendships are struck. Each has his or her own reasons for being in the reading room that morning—it just happens that one is a murderer.
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4 out of 5 stars
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So many accents, but none of them Boston
- By Lian Dolan on 06-30-22
- The Woman in the Library
- By: Sulari Gentill
- Narrated by: Katherine Littrell
well done mystery thriller with a double twist
Reviewed: 04-04-23
between the epistolary format and the closed room mystery format, this book has two twists to offer the reader. the characters, including the author within the author of the book are definitely drawn and relatable. I especially enjoyed the author of the book within the book being such a strong character without ever being directly described. she is only described through letters to her. between the format of the book, the characters, the double mystery, and the double twist, this book is truly enjoyable.
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Horse
- A Novel
- By: Geraldine Brooks
- Narrated by: James Fouhey, Lisa Flanagan, Graham Halstead, and others
- Length: 14 hrs and 6 mins
- Unabridged
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Overall4.5 out of 5 stars 6,096
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Performance5 out of 5 stars 5,330
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Story4.5 out of 5 stars 5,300
Kentucky, 1850. An enslaved groom named Jarret and a bay foal forge a bond of understanding that will carry the horse to record-setting victories across the South. When the nation erupts in civil war, an itinerant young artist who has made his name on paintings of the racehorse takes up arms for the Union. On a perilous night, he reunites with the stallion and his groom, very far from the glamor of any racetrack.
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4 out of 5 stars
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Love Geraldine Brooks
- By Regina on 06-25-22
- Horse
- A Novel
- By: Geraldine Brooks
- Narrated by: James Fouhey, Lisa Flanagan, Graham Halstead, Katherine Littrell, Michael Obiora
wonderful book
Reviewed: 03-28-23
well narrated. great story. I loved it. Ms. Brooks does historical fiction so well.
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When the Sky Fell on Splendor
- By: Emily Henry
- Narrated by: Amara Jasper
- Length: 11 hrs and 3 mins
- Unabridged
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Overall4 out of 5 stars 424
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Performance4 out of 5 stars 386
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Story4 out of 5 stars 387
In the wake of the tragedy, 17-year-old Franny found solace in a group of friends whose experiences mirrored her own. The group calls themselves The Ordinary, and they spend their free time investigating local ghost stories and legends, filming their exploits. It's silly, it's fun, and it keeps them from dwelling on the sadness that surrounds them. Until one evening, when the strange and dangerous thing they film isn't fiction - it's a bright light, something massive hurtling toward them from the sky. And when it crashes and the teens go to investigate...everything changes.
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4 out of 5 stars
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Compelling story, unpleasant narration.
- By Catie on 03-19-19
- When the Sky Fell on Splendor
- By: Emily Henry
- Narrated by: Amara Jasper
slow moving story not well narrated
Reviewed: 03-28-23
male voices were terribly gruff, including the teenagers. story was slow moving. I love this author but the novel is not as good as any of her others.
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1 person found this helpful
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Thicker than Blood
- Zoe Bentley Mystery, Book 3
- By: Mike Omer
- Narrated by: Brittany Pressley
- Length: 12 hrs and 54 mins
- Unabridged
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Overall4.5 out of 5 stars 3,331
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Performance5 out of 5 stars 2,996
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Story4.5 out of 5 stars 2,982
A murderer who drinks his victim’s blood? FBI profiler Zoe Bentley and Agent Tatum Gray thought they’d seen it all, but this young woman’s barbaric murder is especially hard to stomach. They didn’t expect to work this case. But vampirism aside, the murderer’s MO is identical to that of Rod Glover - the serial killer who’s been pursuing Zoe since childhood. Forensics reveals the murder to be his work, but not his alone; desperate to fulfill his sick purpose, he has taken on an equally depraved partner.
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5 out of 5 stars
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Excellent Procedural * Great Addition to the series...
- By shelley on 06-24-20
- Thicker than Blood
- Zoe Bentley Mystery, Book 3
- By: Mike Omer
- Narrated by: Brittany Pressley
Zoe Bentley is a superhero!
Reviewed: 05-15-22
Ooooohhh I love me some detective crime mystery murder intrigue! I discovered this guy many years ago and thought to see what he has written since his first (fabulous) Zoe Bentley novel and wow! I found 5 novels and one novella. I have been tearing through these the past 2 weeks with joyful abandon. This novel is the second of so far three books in the Zoe Bentley series. Zoe is a consultant to the FBI profiling department. She has a nemesis: a serial rapist/murderer whom she uncloaked for his first time when she was just a teenaged girl. This novel addresses Zoe's nemesis and his killing spree in Chicago, only this time he has an accomplice. Having an accomplice is rare for a serial killer, yet Zoe is up to the task, profiling the new guy. I really love profiling novels, and Omer does this thing where he writes stuff from the perpetrator's perspective so we can see when Zoe gets it right and when she doesn't. I recommend for all crime mystery fans.
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In the Darkness
- Zoe Bentley Mystery, Book 2
- By: Mike Omer
- Narrated by: Brittany Pressley
- Length: 10 hrs and 50 mins
- Unabridged
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Overall4.5 out of 5 stars 6,161
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Performance4.5 out of 5 stars 5,619
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Story4.5 out of 5 stars 5,596
An online video of a girl clawing at the ceiling of her own grave could be the worst thing FBI forensic psychologist Zoe Bentley has ever seen. Perhaps even more disturbing is the implication of the video’s title: “Experiment Number One.” Zoe and her partner, Special Agent Tatum Gray, work as fast as they can to find the monster behind the shocking video, but soon another one shows up online, and another girl turns up dead.
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5 out of 5 stars
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Outstanding novel with fantastic narration!
- By Wayne on 07-08-19
- In the Darkness
- Zoe Bentley Mystery, Book 2
- By: Mike Omer
- Narrated by: Brittany Pressley
Zoe Bentley, Forsensic Psych & Profiler to the FBI
Reviewed: 05-15-22
Ooooohhh I love me some detective crime mystery murder intrigue! I discovered this guy many years ago and thought to see what he has written since his first (fabulous) Zoe Bentley novel and wow! I found 5 novels and one novella. I have been tearing through these the past 2 weeks with joyful abandon. This novel is the second of so far three books in the Zoe Bentley series. Zoe is a consultant to the FBI profiling department. She has a nemesis: a serial rapist/murderer whom she uncloaked for his first time when she was just a teenaged girl. This novel deals with a serial murderer in Texas, while Zoe stresses out that her sister Andrea is being stalked by her nemesis back home (which must be near Boston given the strong Boston accent the narrator uses). I really love profiling novels, and Omer does this thing where he writes stuff from the perpetrator's perspective so we can see when Zoe gets it right and when she doesn't. I recommend for all crime mystery fans.
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A Death Not Foretold
- A Glenmore Park Novella
- By: Mike Omer
- Narrated by: Eric Jason Martin
- Length: 2 hrs and 43 mins
- Unabridged
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Overall4.5 out of 5 stars 148
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Performance4.5 out of 5 stars 133
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Story4.5 out of 5 stars 133
Detectives Hannah and Bernard are called to investigate the violent death of Jacqueline Mune. But what seems to be a straightforward case of a shooting in a bad neighborhood turns out to be a lot more complicated. Jacqueline had been a psychic, doing tarot readings and selling mystic medicines and oils. And it seems like everyone around her had a reason to want her dead.
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5 out of 5 stars
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A Brilliant Short Story
- By Jumana on 10-18-21
- A Death Not Foretold
- A Glenmore Park Novella
- By: Mike Omer
- Narrated by: Eric Jason Martin
great short story!
Reviewed: 05-15-22
Nice novella that occurs in Glenmore Park, covers race relations and gender assumptions as incidental elements of the overall context of the novel's plot - very skillful. The mystery of the murdered fortune teller is quickly solved by the crack team of Detective Hannah and her partner Bernard. This was a tightly developed plot which can be enjoyed in an afternoon. Very well done!
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Web of Fear
- Glenmore Park Mystery Series, Book 3
- By: Mike Omer
- Narrated by: Eric Martin
- Length: 9 hrs and 19 mins
- Unabridged
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Overall4.5 out of 5 stars 976
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Performance4.5 out of 5 stars 867
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Story4.5 out of 5 stars 867
Detective Hannah Shor gets a case in the worst way possible - a friend calls her for help. Her 12-year-old daughter has been kidnapped, and Hannah joins forces with the FBI to bring her home safely. When the kidnappers post an image of their captive on Instagram, the situation spins out of control. Now, the whole world is watching. Rumors spread like wildfire, and online vigilantes add fuel to the raging flames. As Hannah digs deeper, she unravels dark secrets from the family's past.
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5 out of 5 stars
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HIGHLY RECOMMENDED SERIES!
- By shelley on 05-31-17
- Web of Fear
- Glenmore Park Mystery Series, Book 3
- By: Mike Omer
- Narrated by: Eric Martin
Another great mystery novel by Omer
Reviewed: 05-15-22
Ooooohhh I love me some detective crime mystery murder intrigue! I discovered this guy many years ago and thought to see what he has written since his first (fabulous) Zoe Bentley novel and wow! I found 5 novels and one novella. I have been tearing through these the past 2 weeks with joyful abandon. This Glenmore Park series deals a lot with the local police force's personalities (the series is considered to be in the police procedural mystery genre) but Zoe of course makes an appearance to help them profile the killer. This third book is about Hanna again, just like in the second book. Here, she is called by a family friend whose daughter has gone missing. Omer likes to write both from the police perspective and the victim's/perpetrator's perspective. Here we learn that the kidnapped girl is NOT getting molested but instead is being held for ransom. Detective Shore works diligently to figure out what the angle is. While the ending was a bit signaled earlier on in the book, the feminine perspective of things was much appreciated by this reader. Recommend!
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1 person found this helpful
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Deadly Web
- Glenmore Park Mystery Series, Book 2
- By: Mike Omer
- Narrated by: Eric Martin
- Length: 6 hrs and 36 mins
- Unabridged
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Overall4 out of 5 stars 989
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Performance4.5 out of 5 stars 889
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Story4 out of 5 stars 888
Detective Hannah Shor is desperate to prove her worth to her superiors - and herself. When a middle-aged man is found stabbed to death in his apartment, she might just get her chance. But then she finds that the deceased was a vile Internet troll, sexually harassing women on Twitter. Hannah starts wondering if she really wants to catch his killer.
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4 out of 5 stars
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Excellent police procedural, but...
- By Wayne on 06-12-17
- Deadly Web
- Glenmore Park Mystery Series, Book 2
- By: Mike Omer
- Narrated by: Eric Martin
Excellent Police Procedural novel
Reviewed: 05-15-22
Ooooohhh I love me some detective crime mystery murder intrigue! I discovered this guy many years ago and thought to see what he has written since his first (fabulous) Zoe Bentley novel and wow! I found 5 novels and one novella. I have been tearing through these the past 2 weeks with joyful abandon. This Glenmore Park series deals a lot with the local police force's personalities (the series is considered to be in the police procedural mystery genre) but Zoe of course makes an appearance to help them profile the killer. This second book is about a detective who kind of messes up in the first novel, so she is struggling to earn back credibility and achieve something to cap her personal shame. The murder to be solved involves a lot of suspects as the victim turns out to be some misogynistic internet troll whom the detectives admit is better off dead. The twist at the end is well executed. Recommend to murder mystery fans!
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Spider's Web
- Glenmore Park Mystery Series, Book 1
- By: Mike Omer
- Narrated by: Eric Martin
- Length: 9 hrs and 15 mins
- Unabridged
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Overall4.5 out of 5 stars 3,243
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Performance4.5 out of 5 stars 2,860
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Story4.5 out of 5 stars 2,850
Twenty-year-old Kendele Byers is savagely killed and buried in a shallow grave. She had a violent past, a bizarre, kinky line of work, and the suspect list grows longer every day. But when another woman is murdered, Detective Mitchell Lonnie realizes that there's something much more sinister afoot: a connection between the two murders. Both victims had received a clue hinting at their oncoming demise several minutes before they were attacked. There's a serial killer in Glenmore Park.
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5 out of 5 stars
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The JK Rowling of police procedural / crime novels
- By Penguin on 02-17-19
- Spider's Web
- Glenmore Park Mystery Series, Book 1
- By: Mike Omer
- Narrated by: Eric Martin
Glenmore Park - a place I'd love to live in
Reviewed: 05-15-22
Ooooohhh I love me some detective crime mystery murder intrigue! I discovered this guy many years ago and thought to see what he has written since his first (fabulous) Zoe Bentley novel and wow! I found 5 novels and one novella. I have been tearing through these the past 2 weeks with joyful abandon. This Glenmore Park series deals a lot with the local police force's personalities but Zoe of course makes an appearance to help them profile the killer. This first book is about a serial killer and it was good. I recommend for all crime mystery fans.
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