The Man in the Queue
by Josephine Tey (Methuen, 1929)
audiobook read by Stefan Rudnicki (Blackstone, 2025)
An odd mystery, relying on regular policework to identify a suspect, uncommon coincidence to cast doubt on his guilt, and then an out-of-the-blue confession to solve the case. Inspector Grant is a cerebral, rather literary protagonist, present and involved from the outset.
The Confessions of Arsène Lupin
by Maurice Leblanc (Éditions Pierre Lafitte, 1913)
audiobook read by Maxwell Caulfield, Juliet Mills & Stefan Rudnicki (Blackstone, 2020)
Ten more stories in which self-styled gentleman thief Arsène Lupin outwits the French police (and everyone else), albeit he does survive a few close calls this volume. Leblanc crafts ingenious scenarios, lighter in narrative voice but no less memorable than Conan Doyle.
Ender’s Game
by Orson Scott Card (Tor, 1985)
audiobook read by Stefan Rudnicki & Harlan Ellison (Macmillan Audio, 2004)
Card’s straightforward prose serves well in the military context, as does Rudnicki’s audiobook narration. The story zips along, revealing itself ultimately to have been as much a critique of humanity as of the total war mentality, ruthless training techniques and early-childhood indoctrination.