Private London

 The following review I wrote was published in the April 26th Express Reviews of the Library Journal.

Patterson, James & Mark Pearson. Private London. 6 CDs. retail ed. unabridged. 6½ hrs. Hachette Audio. 2012. ISBN 9781611130232. $24.98; Playaway digital; digital download.

Here Patterson and Pearson (Private Games) follow the story of Dan Carter, head of renowned investigation firm Private London, and Hannah Shapiro, a student with a horrific past. The police and Private are investigating a case that involves kidnappings, murder, and mutilation. Can it be Hannah’s past coming back to get her? Rupert Degas does a spot-on job voicing English, American, and Scottish characters.
Verdict It goes without saying that Patterson fans will enjoy this book, but readers who enjoy thrillers with a twist will want to give it a try as well. [The Grand Central hc was a New York Times best seller.—Ed.]

Call the Midwife

The following review I wrote was published in the April 2013 issue of Library Journal.

Call the Midwife: A Memoir of Birth, Joy, and Hard Times

This memoir, the inspiration for BBC's popular series of the same name, chronicles Worth's experiences as a midwife in London during the 1950s. The story, enhanced by amazingly vivid imagery, brings to life the horror of the living conditions in the slums of the London's Docklands, the sadness of mothers who have lost their babies, and the joy of first- or 24th-time mothers as they meet their children. Narrator Nicola Barber, winner of two Earphone Awards, does an excellent job of portraying both seasoned and inexperienced midwives as well as the wide variety of British accents. VERDICT Fans of the BBC series will enjoy this audiobook, as will anyone interested in the history of midwifery. [The Penguin hc was a New York Times best seller.—Ed.]—