I’m thrilled to announce that we recently acquired the audio rights to the third and final book in the Jimm Juree mystery series by Colin Cotterill. The title is The Axe Factor and will be available simultaneously with the St. Martin’s Press hardcover in April of 2014. His first two, Killed at the Whim of a Hat and Grandad, There’s a Head on the Beach are currently available on audio from HighBridge so if you haven’t yet discovered the clever and witty writing of Mr. Cotterill, check these out. This new Jimm Juree series has been described as #1 Ladies Detective Agency, but smarter. It takes place in rural Thailand where the author has called home for many years. Without a doubt it is Cotterill’s first hand Thai experiences that bring the quirky village characters to life in this series. He has been a critic’s darling and a cult favorite crime writer for his long-time running series featuring Laos coroner Dr. Siri.
Attention all Colin Cotterill fans!
October 16th, 2013 by Susan · Acquisition News
→ No CommentsTags: audio book·Colin Cotterill·dr siri·grandad there's a head on the beach·jimm juree·killed at the whim of a hat·mystery·Thailand·The Axe Factor
NPR National Park Adventures: You won’t regret the time spent
October 14th, 2013 by Peter · Uncategorized
Are you stuck at home like me, or in your car this year doing the commute? Well, get your feet wet and take a listen to National Park Adventures, one of the Road Trips audios from NPR and HighBridge Audio.
Noah Adams is the friendly, familiar voice. I know him from All Things Considered. The stories seem so familiar. Have I heard these reports before? Perhaps some, but not in such a rich collection of travel possibilities.
I love nature and have experienced our national parks as a youngster on family road trips. Yes, I have my favorites in mind before I listen to this audio, walking through my local Loring Park on a beautiful fall day in Minneapolis. As I listen, I discover some great new points of interest. I want to go to all of these places. Thank you, Noah Adams! Thank you, NPR.
If you want a great travel experience, try listening along with Alex Chadwick as he takes a tour of Death Valley National Park, along with the park ranger; they discuss the once lost Lake Manly, a salty lake that forms from the sudden downpour of rain that takes place during the broadcast. They talk about a low landscape – actually below sea level- turned into a flower lover’s paradise, desert mariposa, larkspur, lupine. It’s the color of life, full of green, green views for miles around. At three million acres, the park is the largest in the country, outside of Alaska. I enjoy imagining the beautiful yellow flowers that park visitors call daisies, but are actually a species called, desert gold flower. The sweet smell is astounding to the visitors, the ranger and to the NPR reporter. I want to go there and see this, experience it in person. The beauty of this recording is that, the scene they describe is most likely gone, dried up in the arid park. All the more enjoyable then, you get to capture the moment on this audio.
National Park employees protect all kinds of resources. How about hymns and dirges? This audio features a snapshot of a special musical resource. New Orleans National Jazz Historical Park is something I had never heard of before listening to this audio. From jazz funerals, to a discussion of a local jazz great, Benny Jones Sr, the reporter invites me back to the great city of New Orleans. Listening, learning, dancing, and finger snapping. All are waiting for you as Noah Adams discusses a place that some visitors say, where is the park? Well, the music is the park in this case. Park ranger Bruce Barnes says the snappy tunes jolt the visitor and listener back into reality after experiencing a jazz funeral, saying: we are still here, life is to be loved and enjoyed with the music; pass it on by listening to these tunes.
I encourage you to visit this historic music park, but first listen to this audio to see what’s in store.
Gettysburg, Zion, Everglades, Yosemite, and Grand Canyon. All of these and more are featured on this nifty collection of audio reports, taken from the NPR broadcasts and made available as a cd or download to listeners who want to travel more, but maybe don’t have the chance right now to get to these parks (especially now during the government shutdown). We have the time now to listen, in our cars, or on a lunch break, so do like I do and put on your headphones, go for a walk in the park, and enjoy some National Park audio keepers. You won’t regret the time spent, and maybe you will find yourself planning a trip to a new park, or an old favorite, that is calling you to visit.
→ No CommentsTags: Death Valley National Park·National Park Adventures·New Orleans National Jazz Historical Park·Noah Adams·NPR·Road Trips
Digital Classic: Penance
October 7th, 2013 by Josh Brown · Uncategorized
First published in the mid-1990s, Penance was David Housewright’s first novel, and won the Edgar Award for the Best First Novel. A Minnesota native and resident, Housewright has gone on to write more than ten novels to date, with about as many short stories under his belt.
Penance was released under the Mysterious Press-HighBridge Audio Digital Classic banner earlier this year. It’s an absolute must-listen for fans of the genre.
Holland Taylor is an ex-cop turned PI who lost his wife and daughter to a drunk driver years ago. When the drunk driver is murdered after being released from prison, Holland Taylor immediately becomes the prime suspect. He is quickly cleared of the crime, but finds himself working to figure out who the killer really is. This leads to an investigation which involves him in Minnesota politics. Gubernatorial candidate Carol Catherine “C.C.” Monroe is being blackmailed by an old boyfriend, and she wants Taylor to find the blackmailer.
The story eventually culminates with Taylor out-witting those who thought they were two steps ahead of him. Don’t underestimate a man who keeps a floppy-eared bunny as a pet.
Personally, I was drawn to the story because it is set in Minneapolis-St. Paul (Minnesota’s “Twin Cities”), and, being a Twin Cities resident, I enjoyed the familiar locales throughout the narrative. The setting plays an important part in the story–different streets, suburbs, locations, sports teams, and even the weather–all painted perfectly by Housewright. Housewright’s vivid description of Minneapolis-St. Paul will draw non-residents into this unique locale as well.
Another reason I enjoyed this audiobook so much was the fact that it’s read by R. C. Bray, who is quickly becoming one of my favorite narrators. He does a phenomenal job on the audio. AudioFile magazine praised Bray’s performance on the audiobook, stating: “R. C. Bray delivers a perfect raspy-voiced private eye.”
Penance is highly recommended. It is a fantastic and enjoyable crime mystery. It’s fast paced, witty, exceptionally well plotted, and just plain fun.
→ No CommentsTags: audiobook·David Housewright·detective·minneapolis·mysterious press·mystery·Penance·police·R. C. Bray·St. Paul
Calling All Midwives
October 3rd, 2013 by Steve Lehman · Acquisition News
I’m pleased to announce . . . I’m thrilled to announce . . . I couldn’t be happier to announce . . .
Isn’t there any other way to say this? How about: I’m ‘eaven and ‘ell chuffed ter tell what HighBridge has picked up the bloody rights to produce audiobook editions of the remaining two titles in the Call the Midwife trilogy: Shadows of the Workhouse and Farewell to the East End. Call the Midwife is, of course, Jennifer Worth’s brilliant memoir of birth and death and everything in-between in London’s post-war East End and the basis—need I say it?—of the acclaimed BBC series that airs in the States on PBS. And that’s not all, old fruit: stay tuned for an announcement soon on the narrator.
Shadows of the Workhouse and Farewell to the East End will hit the stores on Valentine’s Day next year. If you pick them up as soon as they come out you’ll have just enough time to listen to both before Season 3 of the TV series begins in the spring.
It took a while to land these, but all’s cushty now here at HighBridge, just luvverly jubberly. Would I feed ya a porky pie? Not on your porridge knife!
→ No CommentsTags: Audiobooks·BBC·Call the Midwife·Cockney·Farewell to the East End·Jennifer Worth·memoir·PBS·Shadows of the Workhouse
Featured Audio Giveaway – Oct 2013 – Star Wars Topps Collector’s Editions
October 3rd, 2013 by Kay Weiss · Featured Audio Giveaways
Star Wars: A New Hope Original Radio Drama – Topps Collectors Editions, “Light Side” and “Dark Side”
by George Lucas; performed by
Mark Hamill, Anthony Daniels, and an ensemble cast
Two chances to win this week!
Basically, if you have been breathing anytime between 1979 and today, you are familiar with the first Star Wars film, A New Hope (Episode IV).
What you may NOT be familiar with is the awesome audio drama NPR broadcast in 1981 that featured an expanded storyline, the voices of Mark Hamill and Anthony Daniels, original movie sound effects, and original movie music.
Take that awesomeness, combine it with a LIMITED RUN, Topps Star Wars Illustrated trading card (art matching the two editions available) and you’ve got a must-have audio collectable.
Choose your allegiance! We’ll draw one “Light Side” and one “Dark Side” winner!
(Psstt… We aren’t kidding—these are limited edition, so you might also want to think ahead to Christmas gift giving…)
More backstory and edition information at StarWarsRadioDrama.com.
________________________
How to Win This Audio CD
1. Send an email to newsletter@highbridgeaudio.com
2. Choose your allegiance! Put either the word “Light” or “Dark” in the subject line.
Entries must be received by no later than 10/25/2013.
See the Program Details for more information.
________________________
Last Giveaway Winner
Congratulations to MARGUERITE BEAL, winner of the last giveaway, The Road from Gap Creek. Thanks to all who participated.
→ 2 CommentsTags: dark side·featured audio giveaway·light side·mark hamill·original radio drama·star wars·topps
OLD JEWS off-Broadway show coming to the midwest
September 30th, 2013 by Frank Randall · HighBridge at the Movies, Uncategorized
The hit off-Broadway show based on the beloved internet sensation (and audiobook) by Sam Hoffman and Eric Spiegelman is pulling up stakes from New York and heading for the great midwest. The live show was developed by lifelong Jewish humor devotees Daniel Okrent and Peter Gethers, who clearly loved the original Old Jews Telling Jokes as much as we do. Chicago’s version of the show features an all new cast and plays through November 24, 2013, at the Royal George Theatre.
→ No CommentsTags: broadway·chicago·Daniel Okrent·Eric Spiegelman·old jews telling jokes·Peter Gethers·Sam Hoffman
Thomas’ Poll Winner: The Seersucker Whipsaw
September 30th, 2013 by Frank Randall · Uncategorized
One of the grand masters of the genre, Ross Thomas wrote 25 suspense novels in his long career, employing a well-crafted style and colorful characters who trade on snappy, witty dialogue to churn up the underbelly of many a political intrigue. The Mysterious Press Classic audio line from HighBridge has turned up a gem from early in Thomas’ career, 1967’s The Seersucker Whipsaw.
Thomas introduces us to Pete Upshaw and Clinton Shartelle, an unlikely pair of American political operatives hired to use their true blue domestic campaign trickery to influence the outcome of a presidential election in the African republic of Albertia. “Public Relations” specialist Upshaw is sly, cynical and game for anything that comes his way, but he’s the straight and narrow foil for Shartelle, a fiercely individual southerner with a knack for pulling the strings and pushing the right buttons at key moments in any given political circus. Luckily for Upshaw, Shartelle loves a long shot and he embraces the difficult task at hand with a glint in his eye and an apt summary for the mission about to unfold: “It’s Richard Haliburton and Rudolph Valentino and Tarzan all rolled into one big package.” Shartelle is what you might call an enlightened good ol’ boy, and hearing him in action is one of the strengths of the audio as performed by the impressively versatile narrator R.C. Bray. Throw in the nostalgic flair of Mad Men, the natural charm of a backroom conversation between James Carville and Bill Clinton, and Thomas’ exquisite plotting and execution, and my poll of one declares The Seersucker Whipsaw a clear winner.
While shedding some highly entertaining light on the manipulation of mass media as practiced in the Kennedy-Johnson era, perhaps one of the surprising takeaways from this early foray into the modern global political intervention we now take for granted is how much things have stayed the same over the last fifty years. And how endearing a couple of cynical, morally suspect Americans can be when, with a wink and a nod, they demonstrate a virtuosic mastery of the art of human nature and a delight in helping the underdog.
→ No CommentsTags: HighBridge·mysterious press·otto penzler·Political Suspense·R. C. Bray·Ross Thomas·Seersucker Whipsaw
Tara Sands to Narrate ‘The Summer of Letting Go’
September 25th, 2013 by Josh Brown · Author/Narrator News
HighBridge is proud to announce that Tara Sands will be narrating The Summer of Letting Go, by Gae Polisner. Available March 2014, The Summer of Letting Go is a young adult audiobook that follows a teenage girl, still reeling from her little brother’s drowning death, who finds herself holding back—from summer trips to the ocean, friendship, budding romance—until she meets another young boy who may be her brother’s reincarnation, which awakens her to new possibilities.
Tara Sands is an accomplished audiobook narrator, having recorded more than eighty audiobooks, and is the recipient of several Earphones Awards from AudioFile Magazine. Tara’s previous work for HighBridge includes Necessity by Brian Garfield.
In addition to audiobooks, Tara’s voice can be heard in many cartoons, video games, and commercials, and she can also be seen on TV as an actor and host.
→ No CommentsTags: algonquin·audiobook·AudioFile·earphones·Gae Polisner·narrator·reader·tara sands·The Summer of Letting Go·YA·young adult
Nobody’s Perfect, But Westlake and Woodman Are Pretty Close
September 24th, 2013 by Kay Weiss · Uncategorized
Nobody’s Perfect by the late Donald Westlake; read by Jeff Woodman
A Mysterious Press-HighBridge Audio Digital Classics
The saying goes “Dying is easy; comedy is hard.” Plenty of mysteries, where the body count climbs without much attention to plot or character, bear that out: all gore, no substance. And after a workday that can seem all murder and misery, sometimes you want better company.
In that case, Westlake’s unlucky thief Dortmunder is good company indeed. Here’s a man who considers himself a consummate professional—and yet, inevitably, his plans unravel. (Sound like your Monday? Definitely sounds like mine). And much as he’d like sometimes to blame it on his “coworkers”—other motley thieves with various specialties—it just seems to be one particular buddy “Murphy” and that darn law of his at fault.
But what a pleasure it is to hear how Westlake pieces all that misery, misstep, and mayhem together. He makes the comedy look easy, but when you savor the words—easily done when someone like narrator Jeff Woodman is reading them for you—you appreciate the skill behind them.
To pull off a story populated by (just to enumerate a few):
- a bartender who refers to people by their drinks (“Your sherry and the ‘beer and salt’ are already in back waiting for you.”);
- a sea of kilted, brawling Scotsmen;
- an art forger with a very unexpected partner;
- a pack of thieves stranger than any Ocean’s crew;
- and, at the story’s center, an expensive painting aptly named “Folly Leads Man to Ruin”
—well, you’ve got to have great characters and good comedic timing.
Unluckily for Dortmunder—but luckily for you–both Westlake and Woodman do.
(PS. Here’s a little inside tip for you: Check HighBridgeAudio.com in October for a way to get Nobody’s Perfect and all the titles in the Mysterious Press-HighBridge Audio Digital Classics imprint for a real steal…).
→ No CommentsTags: audiobook·donald westlake·dortmunder·folly leads man to ruin·jeff woodman·mysterious press·mysterious press-highbridge audio classic·mystery·nobody's perfect