Behind the Mic With Kirkus Reviews

This standout listening experince centers around famed Nazi hunter Max Weill. Host Jo Reed and AudioFile’s Robin Whitten discuss this thought-provoking and highly satisfying historical thriller set in 1962. Max sees elusive Nazi doctor Otto Schramm in a Hamburg park and insists his nephew Aaron take over his search. Narrator Jonathan Davis uses his skill with accents to effortlessly become all of...

A gorgeous listen about friendship, love, independence, and the power of stories. Join AudioFile editor Robin Whitten and host Jo Reed as they discuss a new historical fiction title centered around the lives of Appalachia's Packhorse Librarians. The 1930s come to life with Julia Whelan’s gifted narration as she conveys the inspiring grit of these “library women,” as captured by Jojo Moyes. Publish...

A tense, high-action WWII thriller narrated with skill. Host Jo Reed and AudioFile editor Robin Whitten love a good historical mystery and welcome this new audiobook from Alan Furst. Peter Noble evokes the danger and uncertainty of occupied Paris as he narrates the tale of a crime novelist and accidental spy. Listeners will appreciate the period detail and expert narration. Published by Simon & Sc...

Enchanting family listening. Join AudioFile editor Robin Whitten and host Jo Reed as they discuss MADAME BADOBEDAH, which should definitely be in the queue for your next family road trip. Young Mabel lives in the Mermaid Hotel and is decidedly suspicious of their latest lodger, whom she dubs Madame Badobedah. Author Sophie Dahl’s light, playful voice totally engages listeners, and the lively music...

Travel the Dakota badlands to Gladstone, Montana, in the early 1950s with George and Margaret Blackledge. AudioFile’s Jonathan Smith tells host Jo Reed what he loved about this historical fiction audiobook centered on a feud between families. Narrator Dan John Miller propels the story along expertly as a laconic former sheriff follows his strong-willed wife on a journey to reconnect with their gra...

A wonderful, informative, and concise love letter to the Notre-Dame Cathedral from the author of THE PILLARS OF THE EARTH. AudioFile’s Jonathan Smith and host Jo Reed discuss Ken Follett’s impressive and passionate narration of this history written in response to the devastating fire in Paris in 2019. Enlightening glimpses of a rich history are performed with deep affection and skill. Published by...

A remarkable memoir from the former U.N. ambassador is read with gravitas, humility, and humor. Host Jo Reed and AudioFile’s Jonathan Smith talk about Samantha Power’s skill with writing and her fascinating life, both personal and political. Power speaks on struggling to retain her natural activism and desire to intervene in human rights abuses abroad while also operating within the constraints of...

A truly creepy and entertaining listen where unstoppable fungi take center stage. Host Jo Reed and AudioFile’s Jonathan Smith talk about the “zombie fungus” in this debut bio-thriller that has reemerged thirty years after two bioterror operatives thought it had been contained. David Koepp, well known as the screenwriter of JURASSIC PARK and other megahits, delivers all the cinematic tension, actio...

John le Carré serves us a wholly engaging audio experience as author and narrator of a new standalone thriller. Host Jo Reed and AudioFile’s Jonathan Smith talk about how the drama in this thriller is rooted in character development and dialogue, including commentary on the current state of politics and Brexit. Nat is a career spy whose loyalties are constantly being tested and who is now worrying...

It’s no secret that the AudioFile team loves author Philip Pullman and the worlds he built in the HIS DARK MATERIALS trilogy about Lyra Belaqua, the clever young protagonist we first met in THE GOLDEN COMPASS. Last year, we were fortunate enough to speak with the creative team behind the full-cast production of THE GOLDEN COMPASS, a landmark in the audiobook world. Host Jo Reed speaks with Orli Mo...

Memorable and thoroughly entertaining listening. AudioFile Publisher Michele Cobb and host Jo Reed talk about this wacky audiobook narrated by the talented Marin Ireland. Lillian and Madison were best friends at an elite boarding school together and maintain their relationship as pen pals. Madison’s doing well; in fact, she’s married to a U.S. Senator who is up for Secretary of State—the only prob...

Andre Aciman’s highly anticipated sequel to CALL ME BY YOUR NAME. We revisit Elio and Oliver, as their story is not yet over. Jo Reed and AudioFile Publisher Michele Cobb discuss the themes of love, longing and relationships that permeate the beautiful audiobook, elegantly narrated by Michael Stuhlbarg. Wonderful listening. Published by Macmillan Audio. Find more audiobook recommendations at audio...

In her own words and with her own voice, Julie Andrews shares tales from her life in Hollywood and on Broadway. Listeners get insights into the making of THE SOUND OF MUSIC, MARY POPPINS, and Andrews’s astronomical rise to stardom.  Find more audiobook recommendations at audiofilemagazine.com. For more free audiobook recommendations, sign up for AudioFile Magazine’s newsletter. Support for Behind...

Tom Hanks gives a sensitive and warm reading of Ann Patchett’s fine novel about love, loyalty, and redemption. Jo Reed and AudioFile Publisher Michele Cobb chat about Hanks’s subtle performance in this story about two siblings, Danny and Maeve. After a rough upbringing, the two have complicated relationships with each other and their grand childhood home. Published by Harper Audio. Find more audio...

An intense thriller from the writer of the original Danish TV show The Killing. Jo Reed and AudioFile publisher Michele Cobb discuss narrator Peter Noble’s skill in bringing a wide range of characters to life in this audiobook. Mismatched detectives Naia Thulin and Mark Hess highlight different styles of police work as they track a serial killer whose signature is leaving small dolls made of chest...

Adjoa Andoh’s lively narration and a charming romance will have listeners grinning from ear to ear. AudioFile’s Emily Connelly tells host Jo Reed what she loved about this witty and steamy romance from Talia Hibbert. Chloe Brown has just suffered a near-death experience and decides she’s going to “get a life.” First order of business: making a list of how to do that. Chloe enlists her tattooed sup...

A Kirkus Prize-winning memoir from author Saeed Jones. Host Jo Reed and AudioFile’s Emily Connelly talk about the emotional impact of listening to the author narrate his own memoir. His story centers around his experience coming of age as a Black, gay boy in the South, and growing up with a single mother. Through his dynamic narration, listeners will hear echoes of events that shaped his life, whe...

A thrilling mythological word comes to life with Amir Abdullah’s rich baritone and Kwame Mbalia’s fast-paced adventure tale. Host Jo Reed and AudioFile’s Emily Connelly talk about the vibrant African-American and West African gods listeners meet as Tristan Strong finds himself plunged into another realm. Abdullah’s versatile voice brings each character to life, and young listeners will fall for th...

Listening to this National Book Award finalist is a delight. Ten African-American narrators read 10 interconnected stories with uniformly excellent performances. AudioFile’s Emily Connelly tells host Jo Reed what she loved about this middle-grade audiobook written by Jason Reynolds. In tales set after school gets out, students head home on skateboards, talk about boogers and water bears, stand up...

Continue the story of Lyra and Pantalaimon in an epic adventure set 8 years after HIS DARK MATERIALS came to an end, and 20 years after we met Lyra as an infant in LA BELLE SAUVAGE, on today’s episode. Host Jo Reed and AudioFile’s Emily Connelly share a love for Philip Pullman’s fantastical worlds. Michael Sheen throws himself wholeheartedly into narrating this adventure, and listeners will be rap...

Listen as author Joe Hill and narrator Dennis Boutsikaris join host Jo Reed for a conversation about crafting a chilling audiobook. In honor of Hill’s newest collection, FULL THROTTLE, Behind the Mic with AudioFile Magazine is rebroadcasting our conversation about their collaboration on STRANGE WEATHER, Hill’s collection of four short novels. Getting the author and narrator together to talk about...

Another cold case intrigues LAPD’s Harry Bosch and pulls him out of his “retirement.” He teams up with the young detective of THE LATE SHOW, Renee Ballard. The dual narrators take on cops, crime, secrets, and great detective work. Find more audiobook recommendations at audiofilemagazine.com. For more free audiobook recommendations, sign up for AudioFile Magazine’s newsletter. Join New York Times b...

Though Halloween inspired today’s audiobook pick, these 13 dark and creepy stories will linger much longer than one all hallows eve. Host Jo Reed and AudioFile editor Robin Whitten discuss Joe Hill’s new short story collection—and the star-powered cast of narrators. Published by Harper Audio. Find more audiobook recommendations at audiofilemagazine.com. For more free audiobook recommendations, sig...

Why does Chet’s canine point of view work so well as an audiobook? Jim Frangione’s performance and the wordplay of Quinn’s Chet & Bernie mysteries make for great listening—and a good topic for this conversation between host Jo Reed and editor Robin Whitten. Published by Recorded Books. Find more audiobook recommendations at audiofilemagazine.com. For more free audiobook recommendations, sign up fo...

How does the dazzling new full-cast recording of White’s classic compare to the original recording by the author? In this episode, host Jo Reed and AudioFile editor Robin Whitten talk about performances beloved by generations of listeners. Published by Listening Library. Find more audiobook recommendations at audiofilemagazine.com. For more free audiobook recommendations, sign up for AudioFile Mag...