The Audies, sponsored by the Audio Publishers Association (APA), recognize “distinction in audiobooks and spoken word entertainment.” They offer awards in many, many different categories, and of course, we wanted to highlight both Mystery and Thriller/Suspense categories specifically for crime fans. However, since we also discuss things like horror, pulp, historical conspiracy, tales of military and high adventure, zombie apocalypse, and kid-friendly crime, we noticed a bunch more finalists dabbling in our murky pools as well!
Mystery:
The Nightmare by Lars Kepler, read by Mark Bramhall
The Beautiful Mystery by Louise Penny, read by Ralph Cosham
And When She Was Good by Laura Lippman, read by Linda Edmond
Hush Money by Chuck Greaves, read by Dan Butler
The Good Thief’s Guide to Vegas by Chris Ewan, read by Simon Vance
Thriller/Suspense:
The Chalk Girl by Carol O’Connell, read by Barbara Rosenblat
Odd Apocalypse by Dean Koontz, read by David Aaron Baker
Red, White, and Blood by Christopher Farnsworth, read by Bronson Pinchot
Rise Again by Ben Tripp, read by Kirsten Potter
The Boy in the Suitcase by Lene Kaaberbøl and Agnete Friis, read by Katherine Kellgren (also nominated in Solo Narration-Female)
Cool stuff, right? Well refill your mugs, because now here’s our incomplete, hand-picked list of other crime-related finalists! If we’ve missed any that fans like us ought to know about, set us straight in the comments!
Audio Drama:
Trouble on His Wings by L. Ron Hubbard, performed by full cast
Business/Educational:
Spy the Lie: Former CIA Officers Teach You How to Detect Deception by Phillip Houston, Michael Floyd, Susan Carnicero, and Don Tennant, read by Fred Berman
Children’s Titles for Ages 8-12:
Splendors and Glooms by Laura Amy Schlitz, read by Davina Porter
The Cheshire Cheese Cat by Carmen Agra Deedy, Randall Wright, read by Katherine Kellgren, Robin Sachs
Children’s Titles for Ages Up to 8:
The Great Cake Mystery: Precious Ramotswe’s Very First Case by Alexander McCall Smith, read by Adjoa Andoh
Classic:
Dracula by Bram Stoker, read by Alan Cumming, Tim Curry, Simon Vance, Katherine Kellgren, Susan Duerden, John Lee, Graeme Malcolm, Steven Crossley, Simon Prebble, James Adams. Also nominated for Multi-Voiced Performance
The Mark of Zorro by Johnston McCulley, read by Armando Duran
Fantasy:
Theft of Swords by Michael J. Sullivan, read by Tim Gerard Reynolds
Princess of Wands by John Ringo, read by Suzy Jackson
Heroes Die by Matthew Stover, read by Stefan Rudnicki
Fiction:
A Rage in Harlem by Chester Himes, read by Samuel L. Jackson
Speaks the Nightbird by Robert McCammon, read by Edoardo Ballerini
History:
L.A. Noir: The Struggle for the Soul of America’s Most Seductive City by John Buntin, read by Kirby Heyborne
Twelve Desperate Miles: The Epic World War II Voyage of the SS Contessa by Tim Brady, read by Joe Barrett
Pacific Crucible: War at Sea in the Pacific 1941-1942 by Ian W. Toll, read by Grover Gardner
Inspirational/Faith-Based Non-fiction:
Fearless: The Undaunted Courage and Ultimate Sacrifice of Navy SEAL Team Six Operator Adam Brown by Eric Blehm, read by Paul Michael
Literary Fiction:
Bring Up the Bodies by Hilary Mantel, read by Simon Vance
Nonfiction:
Cemetery John: The Undiscovered Mastermind of the Lindbergh Kidnapping by Robert Zorn, read by Sean Runnette
Original Work:
The Junkie Quatrain by Peter Clines, read by Christian Rummel and Therese Plummer
Titanium Rain by Josh Finney, read by full cast
Gun Church by Reed Farrrel Coleman, read by Joe Barrett, John Keating
Package Design:
Savages by Don Winslow, read by Michael Kramer
Paranormal:
The Greyfriar (Vampire Empire Book 1) by Clay Griffith and Susan Griffith, read by James Marsters
My Life as a White Trash Zombie by Diana Rowland, read by Allison McLemore
The Bride Wore Black Leather (Nightside Book 12) by Simon R. Green, read by Mark Vietor
Science Fiction:
Agatha H. and the Clockwork Princess (Girl Genius) by Kaja Foglio and Phil Foglio, read by Angela Dawe
Invincible (The Lost Fleet) by Jack Campbell, read by Christian Rummel
Solo Narration-Male:
The Absolutist by John Boyne, read by Michael Maloney
Teens:
The Diviners by Libby Bray, read by January LaVoy
Dodger by Terry Pratchett, read by Stephen Briggs
Whew! Just don’t blame us for your TBR or TBListened piles, blame the Audies and their 28 categories.