Cruisin' thru the Cozies Reading Challenge discussion

Need advice from audio book readers

I took a break from cozies for about a month (maybe 2) and am having a hard time getting back on the cozies trail.

Due to vision problems I read using the audible book format. As a listener the narration is very important or I lose interest.

Can anyone share a cozie series with a wonderful narrator?

Elaine

Elaine wrote: "Need advice from audio book readers

I took a break from cozies for about a month (maybe 2) and am having a hard time getting back on the cozies trail.

Due to vision problems I read using the aud..."


I have been almost exclusively been using audiobooks for the past 4 years [though with new glasses I can read books from NetGalley on my Kindle with the font big] and so I have a good list of narrators. Unfortunately, the list of good ones doesn't always apply to cozy mysteries. They seem to get the bottom of the barrel and I have given up many series due to hideous narration.
Here are some that I love:

The Bookmobile Cat Series by Laurie Cass [narrated by Erin Bennett <--I have not liked her in the past, but she does an excellent job with this series]

The Jazz Ramsey Series by Kylie Logan [narrated by Chloe Cannon] <--THIS is an excellent series.

The Catering Hall Series by Marie DiRico [narrated by Devon Sorvari, who sounds like she just stepped out of NYC where these are based. I loved listening to these].

The Maisie Dobbs Series [narrated from book 3 by the amazing Orlagh Cassidy]. This is a series of Historical Mysteries and are very good with excellent narration

The Scottish Bookshop Series [narrated by Carrington MacDuffie and then Susan Boyce]. Carrington is also an amazing narrator and I was disappointed when she left the series and Susan Boyce** took over as she already narrated three other series that I read and I am not a huge fan [as I love the series' that she narrates, I tolerate her, but do tend to get confused as she reads everyone, no matter the series, the same], but she does a good Scottish accent and I have been able to continue on happily with that series.

The Library Lovers Series by Jenn McKinlay [narrated by Allyson Ryan]. Really good series, by a really good narrator

The Cookie House Series by Eve Calder [narrated by Christa Lewis] <--EXCELLENT series and narrator

The Whiskey Business Series by Melinda Mullet [narrated by Gemma Dawson]

That is all I can come up with at this point, but if I think of any others, I will come back here and add them.
I must say, that though I love these narrators, not everyone else will so it is all just personal opinion. Some that I do not like, someone else might love.

**JUST because I am not a huge fan of Susan Boyce, doesn't mean others won't be so here are the series that I read that she narrates:
The Cackleberry Club by Laura Childs
The Cupcake Bakery Series by Jenn McKinlay
Farm-to-Fork Series by Lynn Cahoon [I LOVE this series]
Death by Chocolate Series by Sarah Graves [I have NOT read this yet, but have the first two on my library TBR list]
Tourist Trap Series by Lynn Cahoon
Needlecraft Series by Monica Ferris [I have only read one of these, but one of my friends loves this series]

Hi Dawn Michelle,

Thank you for the awesome suggestions and narrator explanations. This is just what I needed! I am going to save your list so I can have it for reference.

For some reason I enjoy the European accents. As a newbie to cozy mysteries the narration allows me to create images of the characters which increases the enjoyment of the book.

I finished the Royal Spyness series, which I found to have a good narration. I tried the Seaside knitters (?) series but could not get to excited about it. Yesterday, I found one of Rhys Bowens's older series called Constable Evans. The Welsh/English narration was enjoyable and I will start book 2 in the seires this evening.


Yes, please drop me a note when you come across good audio narrations!

't

Elaine wrote: "Hi Dawn Michelle,

Thank you for the awesome suggestions and narrator explanations. This is just what I needed! I am going to save your list so I can have it for reference.

For some reason I enjo..."

Since you like English/European accents, I have a couple more:
The Lady Hardcastle Series by T E Kinsey [narrated by Elizabeth Knowlden] <--THIS is one of the best HF series that I read. We wait with baited breath for each new book to come out.

The Charles Lennox Series by Charles Finch [narrated by James Langston]. These are EXCELLENT historical mysteries.
The Flavia de Luce Series by Alan Bradley [narrated by Jayne Entwhistle]. FANTASTIC historical mysteries
The Persia Wadia Series by Vaseem Khan [narrated by Maya Saroya] This is an excellent start to a series [there are two books so far], historical mysteries set just after partition in India.
The Zofia Turbotynska Series by Maryla Szymiczkowa [narrated by Moira Quirk] Translated historical mysteries set in Poland. Brilliant.
A Lady and Lady's Maid Series by Alyssa Maxwell [narrated by multiple people] <--I am only mentioning this series because it is just so darn good. There are two books with NO audio at all, but the rest have it [though some aren't that good]. The writing is really good and the stories are also very good.
The Mordecai Tremaine Series by Francis Duncan [narrated by John Curless] <--Reminiscent of Hercule Poirot, these are fun and entertaining books read by an excellent narrator

Wonderful! I now have a large list of cozy mysteries to read. I appreciate all the help!

Elaine, thanks for asking this question. About 8 years ago I had a TBI (traumatic brain injury) and audiobooks became my go-to since reading wasn't an option anymore. In the past 2 years, I'm finally able to read again, however, I have a love of audiobooks now that I don't think will ever go away.
My favorites are:
I love the Flavia de Luce series by Alan Bradley. The narration totally makes this series better
Wicked series by Janet Evanovich totally made me laugh with the narrations.
All the David Baldacci (not cozies, but still crime/mysteries) has an amazing narrator as well.
Again, thanks for asking, my TBR list just got longer LOL :)

Hi Tina,

It took me a while to get used to audiobooks and screen readers for my PC and phone. At first the voices drove my crazy. Eventfully I learn to tune out the background chatter!

Thank you for your advice and recommendations! I didn't know the Janet E. books were cozy mysteries!. Does she only write cozies? I have seen many titles written by her.



I am starting book #6 of the Constable Evans series (Rhys Bowen). This series is so charming and the characters area "hoot", they make me smile!


I am thinking about he molly mysteries after I finish this series. I will keep your recommendations handy!