As I have been typing the lists of authors for this cozy mystery book website, I have found that I have some favorite authors who I have actually never “read” with my eyes, but with my ears. These are authors of books that I have solely listened to on audio cassettes or CDs..
I have a few women narrators who are particular favorites of mine to listen to…… Barbara Rosenblat, Davina Porter, Barbara Caruso, and Lisette Lecat.
I first discovered Barbara Rosenblat when I started listening to the Mrs. Pollifax series (by Dorothy Gilman.) What a treasure! Rosenblat is truly magnificent at her craft.
Davina Porter was first introduced to me by listening to some of Ruth Rendell’s mysteries. I already knew that I enjoyed Rendell’s mysteries……. since I had read several, and I instantly recognized Porter as someone I would enjoy listening to again, and again.
I recognized Barbara Caruso as soon as I heard her on my first (of many) Edna Buchanan mysteries. I was familiar with some of Caruso’s work that my children listened to when they were younger. Caruso brings all of her characters to life……. and she is exceptional.
I discovered Lisette Lecat very recently, when I listened to my first Alexander McCall Smith mystery…………. The Number One Ladies Detective Agency. Lisette brought the novel to life in a way that I am sure most narrators would not be able to do. She is a real treat to listen to.
There are other women narrators of mystery novels who are very talented, and I will add them to my blogs in the future. And, I also have a list of favorite men who narrate novels with equal talent to my favorite female narrators. I will write about them in the future, also.
If you would like more information on Alexander McCall Smith‘s four series.
Sage says
I am surprised that C J Critt wasn’t mentioned. She is an excellent reader. She reads for the Deborah Knott series as well as the first six books in the Stephanie Plum series. There are great readers who read for talking books ad well. Those are audio books for the physically challenged readers. Kristin Allison, Barbara Caruso, Jill Fox, Suzanne Torren and John Horton are just a few. More people listen to audio books than we know about. Those are my favorite readers. I listen to audio books because I have difficulty with holding books for a long period of time. Please let me know about some of the cozy series that are available on audio. Thank you for your wonderful website. I just discovered it and love it. Sage
Danna - cozy mystery list says
Thanks, Sage, for telling us about the audio book narrator C J Critt.
Do you belong to audible.com? I hunt down my authors every once in a while by entering their names in the search box. When we first joined, there were very few authors who I enjoyed listening to. I am assuming that since audible.com has the following authors, even if you aren’t a member, you would probably be able to track these audio books down through your library system.
Authors on Audio: Simon Brett, Carola Dunn, Ngaio Marsh, Ellery Queen, Dorothy L. Sayers, Alexander McCall Smith, Daphne Du Maurier, Monica Ferris, Dorothy Gilman, Ann Granger, Martha Grimes, Gladys Mitchell, Ellis Peters, Ruth Rendell, Mary Roberts Rinehart, Patricia Wentworth, and of course, Agatha Christie.
Casey says
I have not been able to read books for several years because of my vision and I also have arthritis and can’t hold a book very long. However, I discovered the National Library Service for the Blind and Print Disabled Library of Congress. Anyone interested can contact http://www.loc.gov/nls to get a form to have their doctor complete and send in. If approved, they will send a reader and tapes of books or you can download books. The library is huge; the selections are larger than my local library and are free. This is the best thing ever for a visually impaired person! I haven’t turned on my TV in months.
Danna - cozy mystery list says
Casey, that does sound like a great way to get around a vision disability, or as you are using it, arthritis and other similar issues.