No matter how many you’ve listened to, the thing about mysteries is that there’s always the “moment.” The one that allows you the victorious “nod” to a captivating story. The moment you take to revisit in your mind a scene or a piece of dialogue or a character that you’ll remember for a very long time. This year, there were many of those moments and nods in this genre. Sometimes there are misses, and sometimes there are hits. We are happy to present to you the hit list for 2023. In terms of plots, characters, twists, and more, we would call it “The Year of Layers.” Kudos to all the creators who delivered incredible stories and unforgettable characters—and to the narrators who brought them to life and, in some cases, death.
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S.A. Cosby’s storytelling has so many layers, he makes a Napoleon, that multilayered pastry, look like a thin slice of pound cake. The main character is Titus Crown, the first Black sheriff of Charon County in southeast Virginia, and the residents are lucky to have him on the case—since the crimes are ugly and brutal. Cosby’s spot-on descriptive words slay, such as when Titus observes of Officer Pip, “The bottom three buttons on his shirt were performing a labor of Hercules as they kept his belly from spilling out.” Narrator Adam Lazarre-White delivers all voices impeccably. Big time. —Yvonne D.
Follow along as Alix encounters Josie, her “birthday twin,” prompting her to pursue a podcast idea she can't resist. But is Josie really as unassuming as she seems? The audiobook's stunning production—beginning with its eerie music and prologue—had me hooked from the jump. Along with an impressive cast of performers, led by Nicola Walker (of MI-5 fame) and Louise Brealey (Sherlock), None of This Is True also features actual podcast episodes, adding an extra layer of depth and authenticity. All my headphones were charged, because there was no way I was going to miss a minute of it. —Patty R.
I’ve never been to Boston’s Southie, but I’ve known some folks like the characters created by Dennis Lehane (staff writer on the HBO hit The Wire), particularly Mary Pat. Educated in the school of hard knocks, she is one tough broad—even her old, beat-up Ford, “Bess,” has a survivor’s attitude. I appreciated this listen, which pulled back the curtain on Irish American life, and narrator Robin Miles took me into the thick of its grit. —Y.D.
This audiobook threatened to gobble up my days and nights so much I had to start rationing my listening time. Sarah Pekkanen takes her time building this mind-bending mother-daughter tale, and narrator Kate Mara seamlessly slips into each character. “Where’s this going?” I asked myself when the daughter, Catherine, starts doubting her mother Ruth’s Alzheimer’s diagnosis. This is a story about survival and determination—and loss of life here and there. A series of “wows” ran through my mind as I finished my morning commute, leaving me stunned as the train rolled into the station. —Y.D.
Nita Prose blew me away with The Maid. Now, she’s back! Molly Gray has become the Head Maid at the the five-star Regency Grand Hotel—which, with her proper etiquette and meticulous cleaning skills, is no surprise. All's going along swimmingly until J.D. Grimthorpe drops dead on the tearoom floor. It was murder, and, with the entire hotel under investigation, Molly must comb through her memory for clues since, long ago, she knew the famous mystery writer. Although she possesses the key to the suspect's identity, there are personal secrets to consider. So hold on! —Y.D.
Leave it to narrator Vikas Adam to bring this dark, comedic thriller to life. Harry just wants to invent a game-changing app and become an entrepreneur at the Steve Jobs level. For now, he has a gig at an angel investment firm and nothing is going his way—including his marriage—until he meets Peter, an unappreciated computer genius. Things take a startling turn when they come up with an app for murder. It's an instant success. Harry's dreams come true—but with a cost. —Steve F.
Sloan will go through hell and back for those she loves, every single day if she has to. Enter Asa Jackson, a notorious drug trafficker who becomes her lifeline. As Sloan comes to rely on him more and more, Asa becomes obsessed with her, and their relationship takes an ominous turn. This new, updated edition of Colleen Hoover’s psychological suspense novel about obsession and dangerous love is spellbinding and hard to pause. Narrators Ryan Gray and Maxine Mitchell drive the drama and intrigue throughout with their outstanding performances. —Y.D.
Brendan Slocumb is an educator, musician, founder of a nonprofit, and a great writer. The Violin Conspiracy was his breakout debut, and Symphony of Secrets is just as good. Slocumb combines historical mystery with suspense and intrigue to create a tale about the highfalutin 1920s New York music world, racism, and the extraordinary lengths some people are willing to go to in their quest for fame. It’s clever, fun, addictive, and beautifully performed by narrator Chanté McCormick. —Tricia F.
Beware—once I started listening to this erotic thriller podcast, I wasn't able to stop. Adepero Oduye leads a full cast as Rae Pelletier, a celebrity sex therapist who crosses the line. It begins with new patients Arden and Bodhi, a couple experimenting with polyamory, and it gets messy fast. Rae struggles to resist her feelings for Arden, who’s taken on a secondary partner named Colt. Not surprising, Rae begins to unravel as someone from her past wreaks havoc. And this sultry dance takes a dangerous turn. Relax, something intense is on its way. —Y.D.
The McMasters Conservatory is unlike any institution of higher education. To gain admission, a student must have an ethical reason for erasing someone who deeply deserves a fate no worse (nor better) than death. On the campus of this “Poison Ivy League” college, you might find yourself the practice target of a classmate. And be prepared—the mandatory graduation thesis is getting away with the perfect murder of someone whose death will make the world a much better place to live. I enjoyed finding myself in a sea of wit, clever wordplay, and laughter—all thanks to narrators Neil Patrick Harris and Simon Vance. —Y.D.
With Bright Young Women, Jessica Knoll (author of Luckiest Girl Alive) redefines infamous serial killer stories with a multi-perspective, multi-timeline narrative that explores the case through its central women—from a sorority president to a fearless victim’s advocate pursuing justice. This gripping and provocative novel is defined by the myriad smart decisions, from the choice to not name the perpetrator to the full-cast audio performance, that ensures the voices of these bright young women shine through. —Kat J.
Hilary Swank is perfect as Sergeant Jo Barnes, who leads an elite, all-female US Army investigative team tasked with cracking complex sex-crime cases within the military. They head to the Mojave Desert because Private Nichelle Simmons, a soldier who accused a comrade of assault, has disappeared. But when the accused is inexplicably set free, their case takes a sinister turn. Nothing deters Sergeant Barnes and her two trusted investigators from uncovering the truth at all costs. And their powerful adversaries will do anything to stop them. James Patterson and Duane Swierczynski and an excellent ensemble cast create an enthralling experience in this heart-stopping thriller. —Y.D.
Kudos to narrators Brittany Pressley and Gary Tiedemann. Between the two, they seamlessly perform each of the many voices that fill this story, including the two couples, relatives, colleagues, and a detective. As for the story, for a tale that begins with a simple walk in the park, things sure turn twisty quickly, and it has nothing to do with the path chosen. As the mystery unfolds, Mary Kubica takes us on a tour of two towns and peeks into the lives of two couples who could both use some excitement. But being a thriller, it’s not as nice as that—especially when somebody’s body is missing. —Y.D.
Give me charming and quirky, and I'm sold. Vera Wong may appear to be a “lonely old lady,” but after she finds a dead man in her tea shop (and tucks away the flash drive in his hand), nothing will ever be the same. She studies each and every customer who visits her “world-famous” spot in San Francisco's Chinatown, sure that the person who wants that drive will show up. Narrator Eunice Wong is superb, bringing every character to life with a distinctive voice and personality as we hum along to the surprise ending. —Y.D.
Bestselling author Rachel Hawkins takes listeners along on a dream of a girls trip to present-day Orvieto, Italy, where besties Emily and Chess are surrounded by beauty. But it turns out that their villa has a sordid past—a '70s rock star was murdered there. The fast-paced narration—from the remarkable trio of Julia Whelan, Kimberly M. Wetherell, and Shiromi Arserio—propels this twisty tale to its creepy conclusion. Drawing inspiration from Frankenstein, the Manson murders, and Fleetwood Mac, Hawkins brings intense drama to la dolce vita. —Y.D.
If it’s too good to be true, then it just can’t be true. But Liv Constantine doesn’t make it that easy in this haunting domestic thriller that takes place in a certain daunting community. In The Senator’s Wife, we become observers of the charmed lives of an elite Washington couple, complete with perfect power names—Sloan Chase and Senator Whit Montgomery. All’s well until Sloan isn’t, and she's going to need some help. Enter Athena Karris. The rest is mystery. —Y.D.
It’s going to be a beautiful wedding: two perfect people, deeply in love. Then, walking down the aisle, the bride doesn’t recognize the groom. I was thinking, “Hmm, that’s serious cold feet.” But she continues to not recognize her husband—clearly this is about more than pre-marital jitters. Kate Villa shows us once again how versatile and engrossing a narrator she is. Listening tip: It ain’t over until it’s over. —Y.D.
Last year, Audible launched Moriarty: The Devil’s Game, a series set in the Sherlock Holmes universe where Holmes is the villain who drives his arch-nemesis, Professor James Moriarty, into the underworld. Now, there’s Moriarty: The Silent Order, and I’m even more obsessed. The second season features Dame Helen Mirren, with Dominic Monaghan and Phil LaMarr returning to their leading roles. The all-star-cast performances, original composition and sound design, and thrilling writing make this a must-listen for all Sherlock Holmes fans. —T.F.
