Five Books For Audio Joy

Driving/jogging/cooking? No problem

Mar 14, 2025

*Young Woman Playing A Violin* by Orazio Gentileschi, c.1612

Welcome to Five Books For, a newsletter for people who love great stories. I’m so happy you’re here.

As any child can tell you, there is something magical about a story being read aloud. This month I want to focus on brilliant audiobooks, and the power of the human voice (and, sometimes, great sound design) in bringing stories to life.

Audiobooks have come a long way since they were first invented back in the 1930s as a way to help visually impaired people (something they still do brilliantly - when my late Grandad, an avid reader, lost his sight, he used to borrow books on tape from the library and I’m so glad he was able to keep reading in this way). Audiobooks are now the fastest-growing section of the publishing industry, offering everything from immersive full-cast productions to expertly narrated solo performances, all designed to enhance the listening experience.

Generally I tend to listen to audiobooks while I’m driving or cooking, although I know a lot of people listen while walking their dogs or exercising too. They can provide a great way to connect with a story when you might be struggling to read in print form for one reason or another and that has certainly been the case for me in the past. Some years ago I experienced some mental health issues which affected my ability to concentrate and audiobooks were the only way I could escape into a story at a time when I desperately needed it, and even after I was able to get back to regular reading I have never forgotten what a lifeline audiobooks were during that time.

Below, I’m excited to share five great listens across a range of genres that not only offer great stories but also provide really immersive listening experiences. Some of them have been created exclusively for audio while others are audio versions of print books and would be just as good read traditionally, if that’s your preference. As ever, I hope you find something new to surprise and delight you.

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Okay, let’s dive in!

Nine Perfect Strangers by Liane Moriarty

“Sometimes your life changes so slowly and imperceptibly that you don’t notice it at all until one day you wake up and think, ‘How did I get here?’ But other times, life changes in an instant with a lightning stroke of good or bad luck with glorious or tragic consequences.”

So what’s it about? Nine Perfect Strangers is set in the world of premium wellness and follows nine people who attend a luxury retreat which promises transformative healing. The guests, each with their own struggles and secrets, are eager to escape the pressures of everyday life and discover new versions of themselves. Masha, the enigmatic and charismatic wellness director, seems a little odd, and some of the treatments are unconventional, designed to push the boundaries of traditional healing. Before long the guests find that the retreat is becoming increasingly surreal and unsettling, until things come to a dramatic head and the guests are forced to confront their deepest fears.

What’s great about it? This is such a gripping book, and the premise of bringing together a disparate cast of characters into an isolated setting where transformation is supposed to take place really allows Moriarty to build tension and suspense to drive the plot forward. Each character is compellingly drawn and while there are always some who you like more than others, even the more difficult characters are fascinating character studies. Seeing the group face up to their own secrets and fears makes for riveting reading and allows Moriarty to explore the complexities of human vulnerability. I loved that it doesn’t fit neatly into one genre but instead borrows conventions from various styles: there’s plenty of thrilling suspense but also lots of exploration of the characters’ emotional experiences and enough humour to keep things from getting too introspective. There’s also a searing critique of modern wellness culture which is so interwoven with the premise of the novel that it never feels overbearing, while the themes of self-improvement and the pursuit of happiness resonate much more widely beyond the setting of the book.

The audiobook version is especially good because it has such a great narrator, Caroline Lee, who narrates many of Liane Moriarty’s audiobooks. She has the perfect Australian accent and is great is creating unique voices for each character, which helps you keep track of where you are and what’s happening - something which is especially important in audiobooks, when you might be doing another activity at the same time as listening. She paces the narrative expertly and her emotional range really does justice to the characters.

Give it a try if: you love gripping books; you love stories which provide some sort of social commentary; you love character-driven narratives that are also entertaining and thought-provoking; you like books set in Australia; you love great audiobooks; you like thrillers but fancy something with more depth than a typical popcorn thriller; you love great storytelling.

Mythos by Stephen Fry

“The Greeks created gods that were in their image; warlike but creative, wise but ferocious, loving but jealous, tender but brutal, compassionate, but vengeful.”

So what’s it about? Mythos by Stephen Fry is a retelling of the ancient Greek myths, written with a blend of wit, humor, and deep admiration for these classic stories. It starts from the creation of the world and the rise of the Olympian gods, moving through the tales of the heroes, monsters, and mortals who interacted with them, covering many stories you’ll be familiar with and some which you might not. The first in a series of retellings, this book covers well-known stories such as Prometheus stealing fire for mankind, Pandora’s box, the trials of Zeus, and the exploits of various gods including Hermes, Athena, and Apollo.

What’s great about it? One of the best things about this book is that Fry’s own joy in the stories really shines through; while they are told in modern language with the occasional aside to the reader/listener, making them more accessible than a direct translation, Fry intersperses the stories with interesting observations and asides, providing us with cultural context, historical influences, and modern parallels.

You can really hear his pleasure in sharing these stories with a new audience. Of course, being Stephen Fry, the book is full of wit and charm and as he narrates the audiobook himself you also get to hear his sense of humour as the stories progress; he takes quite a light, conversational tone which brings an entertaining twist to even the more serious and dramatic tales, adding an element of fun while still honoring the grandeur and drama of the original myths.

Each of the characters, but perhaps especially the gods, are presented as flawed, often humorous characters with very human tendencies, making them feel relatable despite their immortality and immense power. Throughout the book, Fry explains how these myths have influenced art, literature, and language in the centuries that followed, which is a fascinating way of placing them in a wider context and showing us why we should still care about these stories now, thousands of years after they were first told. The audiobook is especially good - after all, Fry is one of the most popular audiobook narrators for a reason. He has a beautifully expressive voice and his ability to inject personality into the characters makes the listening experience lively and a lot of fun.

Give it a try if: you love retellings; you love classical literature; you love ancient history; you love Greek myths; you love stories which have been foundational to their cultures; you’re fascinated by folklore and mythology; you love great audiobooks; you like books you can dip in and out of; you like stories with lots of wit, charm and intelligence.

Moriarty: The Devil’s Game by Charles Kindinger

“Impossible is only an equation yet to be solved, and Sherlock Holmes overlooked one key variable… me.”

So what’s it about? This is an utterly gripping reimagining of the classic Sherlock Holmes characters, placing notorious uber-villain, Professor James Moriarty, at the center of the story after he is framed for heinous crimes and wrongfully labeled a criminal mastermind.

Forced into a dangerous game of survival, Moriarty must evade the relentless pursuit of Sherlock Holmes while working to uncover the true forces behind the conspiracy that ruined his life. But can he defeat the forces that are aligned against him?

What’s great about it? This is an Audible original full-cast production, split into nine episodes, and I believe was written specifically for this audio format. The sound design and acting are first-rate, giving a truly cinematic feel, and the performances bring the characters to life with emotional depth and authenticity. The story is a compelling take on the usual Sherlock Holmes set-up, subverting the traditional relationship between Holmes and Moriarty, so that we see Moriarty in a more sympathetic, even heroic, light and Holmes’ role is much more morally ambiguous. Moriarty is portrayed as a brilliant, morally complex figure who is capable of being both manipulative and strategic, and yet also emotional and loving. It’s refreshing to see a new take on Moriarty - and indeed on Holmes and Watson - with a more nuanced moral dynamic than the simple good/bad we’re used to.

Plot-wise, it’s a fast-paced and suspenseful story with plenty of twists and turns. However, it’s not just a page-turner (or whatever the audio equivalent of that would be) but also explores deeper themes, such as the abuse of power, the manipulation of justice, and the blurred lines between good and evil, so that the story has plenty of heft and lots to leave you thinking about afterwards.

Give it a try if: you love Sherlock Holmes; you love mysteries or thrillers; you love action-packed page-turners; you like books which are entertaining but still explore serious themes and ideas; you love seeing familiar characters from a new perspective; you like stories with conspiracies; you like stories with lots of twists and turns; you like full-cast audio productions with great acting; you like seeing the roles of familiar characters inverted; you’re looking for something dark and atmospheric to listen to.

The Mermaid And Mrs. Hancock by Imogen Hermes Gowar

“Angelica knows about women and their empire-building. She knows also that a woman in perfect control of her fate never resorts to rudeness, and this gives her a small glow of satisfaction. She clasps Mrs Lippard’s hand and smiles her most honeyed of smiles.”

So what’s it about? This is a beautiful literary novel set in 18th-century London, with just a touch of magical intrigue. The story follows the intertwined fortunes of Jonah Hancock, a widowed merchant, and Angelica Neal, a beautiful and ambitious courtesan.

Mr. Hancock’s staid, routine life changes unexpectedly when one of his ship’s captains returns with an extraordinary find - not the usual cargo of goods but rather a small, desiccated mermaid. This strange discovery becomes the talk of London, and Mr. Hancock finds himself swept into high society as people clamour to see the curious creature. Meanwhile, Angelica is struggling to reclaim her status and financial stability after the death of her patron. When their paths cross, life surprises both Mr. Hancock and Angelica, and as their relationship develops we see Angelica seeking stability while Mr. Hancock grapples with the moral and personal implications of his newfound fortune amongst a society obsessed with both wealth and morality.

What’s great about it? This is a beautifully written novel with gorgeous prose and complex, compelling characters who you really get to know and understand as the novel progresses. While it explores some serious themes including desire, commodification, power, women’s agency and the consequences of obsession, it never feels heavy handed or clumsy and instead is both a poetic study of a complicated relationship between two beautifully drawn, nuanced characters, and a social commentary which still resonates for our contemporary society.

The historical detail of Georgian England’s bustling, vibrant world of trade, pleasure, and ambition is vividly brought to life and makes the story even more atmospheric through the sights, sounds and social dynamics which Hermes Gowar excels at painting for us, whether it’s the bustle of the docks or the clink of fine china in a high society parlour.

The fantastical element of the titular mermaid adds a layer of magical realism that enhances the novel’s exploration of desire, wonder, and the unknown; it also injects a sense of mystery and enchantment into the otherwise realistic setting.

The rich texture and poetic prose of the book make for a lovely audiobook experience, where the atmosphere of the book can really come alive through the narration (it’s expertly read by Juliet Stevenson, another stellar voice actor and audiobook narrator) and the characters feel even more real and nuanced. The fact that it’s more of a slow-burning book, where the focus is on the characters and their interior lives rather than being heavily plot-driven also makes it a pleasant, more leisurely listen which you can take your time with.

Give it a try if: you love historical fiction; you love books with brilliantly written characters; you love books which have just a touch of magic to them but are largely realistic; you love stories with great female leads; you love books set in London; you love beautiful prose; you love books with lots of atmosphere; you love books which really brings a time and place to life; you like stories with a touch of magical realism; you like unconventional love stories; you like books which explore social class and feminist themes of women’s agency.

The Goodbye Party by Louis Nowra

“Glass is a fourth state of matter. The wonder of it all, the wonder, the miracle is that it has come from sand and ashes. The miracle of it being solid and yet transparent.”

So what’s it about? This is another Audible Original production with multiple cast members, this time from award-winning Australian playwright Louis Nowra, and takes the form of a murder mystery. When James O’Malley’s father is found dead from a suspected drug overdose, James is sure that foul play must have been involved. His father Eric worked as a police officer and one case from 1984 had never quite sat well with him - the death of a young couple who had died after attending a swingers party, which was ruled accidental but always seemed suspicious to him. As James begins his own investigation, he finds that the fateful party was swirling with secrets, but will he ever manage to find out what really happened all those years ago?

What’s great about it? This is a brilliant listen where fantastic production values and voice acting acting combine to create a really engaging listening experience. It’s split into episodes so if you need to dip in and out it’s very easy to do so, and it makes the tension of each episode feel similar to watching a TV series where you’re excited to find out what happens next. The story itself is engrossing and full of tension, twists and turns. As the episodes progress we learn more and more about the secrets of the attendees at the original party, and the hidden parts of their lives.

In writing The Goodbye Party, Nowra drew inspiration from the real life Bogle-Chandler case in Sydney, which involved the mysterious death of a couple who’d attended a society party and was a media sensation at the time, partly due to the mysterious circumstances of the two deaths but largely because of allegations of wife-swapping.

Give it a try if: you love murder mysteries; you like books with intricate, clever plotting; you love full cast audio productions or radio dramas; you enjoy reading about true crime or cold cases; you love the 1980s; you like historical fiction but fancy something set not too long ago; you like dark and gritty books.

Thanks for reading!

I hope you found something good to read (or listen to!) here. As ever, I’d love to hear if you’ve listened to and loved (or even hated) any of the books here, and which ones you’d add to the list. You can reply directly to this email or leave a comment by clicking the button below.