In my previous entry I talked about Barbara Rosenblat and Derek Jacobi, two people who really know how to narrate a mystery book on tape! Today I want to add the following people to my list of (mystery) book narrators who help bring a book to life.
Davina Porter
Davina Porter narrates best selling books in a manner that allows the listener to enjoy every aspect of the mystery novel. Porter is one of the pioneers in audio books. Her ease with mastering accents (whether for male or female protagonists) is truly an art form. She narrates the Isabel Dalhousie (non-mystery) series by Alexander McCall Smith, the Charlotte & Thomas Pitt mystery series by Anne Perry, Cynthia Riggs’ Martha’s Vineyard mysteries, and mysteries by such masters as Ruth Rendell and Elizabeth George.
Barbara Caruso
Mystery fans who have listened to audio books by Edna Buchanan or James Patterson have no doubt enjoyed the narrations of Barbara Caruso. Caruso is also an actress, which helps explain her rich portrayals. Caruso first started narrating audio books for the American Foundation for the Blind. She received the Alexander Scrouby Award, which is a very high award given by the American foundation for the Blind for excellent work in audio books.
John McDonough
Perhaps a lot of people visually recognize John McDonough as the second Captain Kangaroo, but a lot of people also recognize his voice as the terrific narrator of Jan Karon‘s Mitford (non-mystery) series. McDonough’s voice is so peaceful to listen to, with very soothing qualities. Once you have heard McDonough, he will become instantly recognizable to you.
Joan Hickson
Joan Hickson is a treat to watch and hear. She portrays Miss Jane Marple in the BBC’s Miss Marple mystery series. She also narrates several of the Agatha Christie Miss Marple novels. What a treat! She is a perfect choice for the Miss Marple readings and portrayals. Agatha Christie actually thought she would be a perfect Miss Marple.
David Suchet
Who better to narrate Agatha Christie‘s Hercules Poirot mystery books than the actor who personified the fictional detective? In 1991, Suchet was nominated for the BAFTA (comparable to the Emmy) for his portrayal of Hercules Poirot, and in 2008, he won an Emmy for his roll in “The Way We Live Now. His narrations are true treats to hear.
Audrey says
I’m sort of falling in love with Michael Deehy’s voice…he narrates Deborah Crombie’s books. I agree…listening to mysteries is generally wonderful!
Kristen says
Audrey, I too am LOVING Michael Deehy! If you have not listened to him narrate Now May You Weep, you must do so! His Scot accent is amazing! Unfortunately, after 2010 I cannot find him narrating Crombie’s books. I nearly can’t abide Jenny Sterlin’s narration and have resorted to reading the ink and paper books, although my first love is audio…let me know what you find, or think!
Debra Sewell says
I agree. I have had a head injury and the strident pitch and tone of her voice narrating has put me in the same situation. Michael can read the darkest of texts and I’m still reassured all will be fine.
Donna says
Yes, I agree with all of those! Davina Porter is also one of the best, and both previous actors of A.C. mysteries read them very well – but so does Captain Hastings! I’m pretty sure the actor who often played Captain Hastings reads a lot of Poirot mysteries – and he does an amazingly good job of exactly the same accent that David Suchet used in his portrayal. It’s quite entertaining to listen and think of Capt. Hastings playing Poirot! 🙂
Danna - cozy mystery list says
I agree, Donna, that Hugh Frasier (Capt. Hastings) does a great job with the Poirot mystery audiobooks.
I am currently listening to one of Reginald Hill’s Dalziel & Pascoe (not cozy) being read by Colin Buchanan. Buchanan is the actor who portrays Pascoe in the British television series. It is absolutely uncanny to hear him “do” Dalziel (Warren Clarke) and DS Wield (David Royle) – two of the characters in the series.