by Jo Baker; narrated by David Rintoul
Adult Fiction. In 1939, struggling writer Samuel Beckett leaves his family's home in Ireland for Paris, where he befriends James Joyce, begins a relationship with future wife Suzanne Dechevaux-Dumesnil, and -- after the Nazis occupy the city -- becomes involved with the French Resistance. In spare, evocative language, this biographical novel by the author of Longbourn examines how Beckett's life shaped his unique style and body of work. In this audio version, David Rintoul clearly distinguishes the different characters through his thoughtfully paced narration.
The After Party
by Anton DiSclafani; narrated by Dorothy Dillingham Blue
Adult Fiction. In the posh suburb of River Oaks, the socialites of 1950s Houston, Texas drown their sorrows with the many luxuries oil money affords. Against an atmospheric backdrop of debutante balls, cocktail parties, and garden-club luncheons, The After Party explores the complicated bond between rebellious glamour girl Joan Fortier and Cece Buchnan, her inseparable friend since childhood -- though as they grow older Joan's increasingly alarming behavior pulls the two apart. Narrator Dorothy Dillingham Blue effectively renders Cece's voice as she relates this vividly detailed story of a flawed reality lurking just below the socially respectable surface.
The Second Life of Nick Mason
by Steve Hamilton; narrated by Ray Porter
Adult Fiction. Rumors abound that this intriguing novel is a series debut; fans of brooding anti-heroes are likely to hope the rumors are true. Imprisoned for a murder he didn't actually commit, Nick Mason has accepted a dubious offer: get out 20 years early and live a life of comfort...if he agrees to follow the orders of an incarcerated crime boss without question. As the demands placed on him get ever more unconscionable (and more dangerous), Nick is increasingly ready to go straight. But of course it's not that easy. Narrator Ray Porter clearly differentiates among the voices of distinct characters in this Chicago-set novel.
A Buccaneer at Heart
by Stephanie Laurens; narrated by Steve West
Adult Fiction. After a decade of service to the Crown, Captain Robert Frobisher decides it's time to marry and start a family. But before he can take a wife, he must complete one last covert mission: investigate rumors of a slavers' camp in the Freetown Colony of West Africa (Sierra Leone). There, Robert meets Miss Aileen Hopkins, who's searching for her missing brother, a young naval officer. Since Aileen won't be dissuaded from seeking out danger, Robert agrees to assist her in her quest. A Buccaneer at Heart is the 2nd installment of the Adventurers Quartet, which follows the seafaring Frobisher family.
Kill 'Em and Leave: Searching for James Brown and the American Soul
by James McBride; narrated by Dominic Hoffman
Adult Nonfiction. Prompted by a comment from James Brown's grandson, author James McBride decided to look into the complex life and legacy of the Godfather of Soul. With input from Brown's friends, family members, and colleagues, McBride paints a picture not just of the founder of funk but of the world that made him; musings on race, identity, influence, and the American South abound. While there are other, more traditional biographies of James Brown available, this one is unique as it adds cultural history, context, and a personal perspective. In the audiobook, narrator Dominic Hoffman's "determined to get it right" (Publishers Weekly) as he recreates Brown's maxims and slogans.
Red Platoon: A True Story of American Valor
by Clinton Romesha; narrated by Will Damron
Adult Nonfiction. In 2009, the U.S. military decided to close a vulnerable string of outposts in Afghanistan that were meant to deter Taliban insurgents from free movement across the Pakistan border. Just as the closures were beginning, the Taliban launched a deadly, all-out assault at one location, Command Outpost Keating. In Red Platoon, Medal of Honor recipient Clinton Romesha recounts the firefight, preceding the account with a description of his own training, his troops' capabilities, and the conditions that exacerbated Keating's vulnerability. His riveting description of the battle itself provides vivid and sobering detail. Military history buffs and readers concerned about the war in Afghanistan will appreciate this book, clearly voiced by 2015 Voice Arts Award Winner Will Damron.
The Last Painting of Sara De Vos
by Dominic Smith; narrated by Edoardo Ballerini
Adult Fiction. Parallel narratives unfold and eventually converge in this multi-layered novel, which explores the legacy of fictional 17th-century Dutch painter Sara de Vos, whose creation of her masterpiece At the Edge of a Wood provides one thread of the story. The other threads connect the 1957 theft of de Vos' masterpiece, its most recent owner, and the thief. In the audio version Edoardo Ballerini weaves the storylines together while skillfully imparting a "thrill of foreboding" (Publishers Weekly) as secrets are gradually revealed.
