Audiobook Review: Spies, Lies & Alibis by Natalie Walters
Spies, Lies, & Alibis
Author: Natalie Walters
Narrators:
Andrew Eiden
Dominique Salvacion
Published: May 19, 2026
Audiobook: 10 hours 13 minutes
Reviewed By: Jessica
Dates Listened To: June 17-25, 2026
Jessica’s Rating: 4 stars
Book Description:
They were each other’s first love. Now they might be each other’s last hope.
Cybil Langford has spent years hiding behind her polished, professional facade as the executive assistant to a powerful real estate mogul, where she’s perfectly positioned to collect intel on her boss’s criminal network. But when her mission leads her into the path of Lorenzo Ramirez—a ruthless crime boss with deadly plans—she’ll need every ounce of cunning and charm to stay one step ahead.
Then he walks back into her life.
Ben Bradley is deep undercover for the FBI, living under an alias, as a financial advisor with a reputation for helping the wealthy and corrupt launder their money. His target? Lorenzo Ramirez, a dangerous crime boss with his hands in everything from smuggling to murder. But when a familiar face from his past suddenly reappears, things get…complicated.
The last time Cybil saw Ben, he was an annoying prankster—and her first crush. The last time Ben saw Cybil, she stole a piece of his heart. Neither expected to run into each other at a high-stakes fundraising gala where crime, corruption, and undercover agendas collide. Now, they’re both keeping dangerous secrets–and working dangerously close to blowing each other’s cover.
Forced to work together to stop a catastrophic deal that could arm America’s enemies, Cybil and Ben must face ruthless criminals, hidden agendas, and the ghosts of their past. Trust is a luxury they can’t afford—but love? That just might be their undoing.
The intel is classified. The trust is fragile. And their covers are one lie away from blowing wide open.
Jessica’s Review:
This was a fun read! It seems like Spies, Lies, & Alibis is being marketed as a no spice romance, but the romance is on the back burner as the story is all about the mystery and spy centered. For me it was reminiscent of the 1994 film True Lies with Arnold Scharzenegger and Jamie Lee Curtis, except our ‘book couple’ are not married. They knew each other as kids, and what’s worse: They recognize each other! What’s wrong with running into an old school pal? Well see, Ben is an undercover FBI agent and has been this way for 18 months! Now he has to worry about his job and Cybil ruining his cover. Cybil also has secrets as she is a spy and Ben is trying to figure out if she is actually a ‘bad guy’ or not! As a side character we get Ben’s entertaining grandmother who you can’t help but love and adore! She should have her own spinoff novel, I would listen that one!
We have dual narrations for Ben and Cybil, so we get both of their perspectives and pasts. And their past feelings for each other! This no spice novel has humor to it as well which makes it clean and entertaining read. It’s a book you don’t have to worry about passengers accidentally hearing something they shouldn’t!
Andrew Eiden and Dominique Salvacion were the narrators and did a good job. Eiden’s voice was unique for me, so I had to get used to his voice. But once I did both narrators kept the story entertaining.
This was Walters first novel for me and since I enjoyed it, I will be looking at what else she has written.
Thanks to the publisher for having the audio available on NetGalley!
Audiobook Review: Dear Debbie by Freida McFadden
Dear Debbie
Author: Freida McFadden
Narrators:
Julia Whelan
January LaVoy
Scott Brick
Published: January 27, 2026
Audiobook: 7 hours 40 minutes
Reviewed By: Jessica
Dates Listened To: June 4-9, 2026
Jessica’s Rating: 4 stars
Book Description:
Sometimes, enough is enough…
Debbie Mullen is losing it. For years, she has compiled all of her best advice into her column, Dear Debbie, where the wives of New England come for sympathy and neighborly advice. Through her work, Debbie has heard from countless women who are ignored, belittled, or even abused by their husbands. And Debbie does her best to guide them in the right direction.
Or at least, she did.
These days, Debbie’s life seems to be spiraling out of control. She just lost her job. Something strange is happening with her teenage daughters. And her husband is keeping secrets, according to the tracking app she installed on his phone. Now, Debbie’s done being the bigger person. She’s done being reasonable and practical. It’s time to take her own advice.
And now it’s time for payback against all the people in her life who deserve it the most.
Jessica’s Review:
This was a fun read with Debbie, who is a very unhinged woman! Dear Debbie is a novel about karma and revenge with some very entertaining dark humor!
Pretty much everyone in Debbie’s family has something going on and Debbie has had it with everything: She decides to take everything into her own hands! This is a bit of a revenge fantasy, can you imagine one person doing all this? It’s a fun ride and I looked forward to seeing what was going to happen next. Just when you think nothing else can happen, then something else does!
You don’t want to get on Debbie’s bad side or who knows what will happen next! I do like how everything came in full circle.
We have two of my favorite narrators: January LaVoy and Julia Whelan! When I found out they narrated I knew I was going to listen to this audiobook! They and additional narrator Scott Brick helped to make this story.
Purchase Links:
Amazon US
Amazon UK
Blog Tour: Audiobook Review of Witch Hunt by BD Spargo
Today I am taking part in the Audible blog tour for Witch Hunt, the second novel in the DCI Liam Doyle series! I really hope that Spargo can bring us the next novel soon!
Book Description:
Murder, witchcraft, and a race against time – welcome to Pendle Hill.
A young woman is found brutally murdered and mutilated at the foot of Pendle Hill and the local police are in no doubt who the killer is. Newly released from a psychiatric unit, Will Perkins has delusions that the victim is a witch. When DCI Liam Doyle and his team are brought in to investigate, the suspect is already in custody and the case apparently wrapped up. Except for one key detail – evidence.
Is it really possible the origins to this murder lie in Pendle’s infamous past?
Recently returned to work, DS Anna Morgan is battling her own demons. The physical wounds from her last case have healed, but the psychological trauma still haunts her. When another body turns up the investigation is blown wide open and Doyle has to face up to the horrifying possibility that he could have prevented this killing.
Can Doyle overcome his own doubts and track down the killer before they strike again? Will Morgan be able to conquer her fear before it destroys her?
Set in and around Lancashire’s legendary Pendle Hill, Witch Hunt is a gripping British crime thriller with dark humour and a nail-biting climax. This fast-paced novel, the second in the series featuring DCI Doyle and DS Morgan, will have listeners on the edge of their seats.
If you have enjoyed books by authors such as Val McDermid, MW Craven, JD Kirk and Alex Smith, you won’t want to miss Witch Hunt.
Witch Hunt
Series: DCI Liam Doyle #2
Author: BD Spargo
Narrator: Aubrey Parsons
Audio Published: March 27, 2026
Audiobook: 10 hours
Reviewed By: Jessica
Dates Listened To: May 20-28, 2026
Jessica’s Rating: 4 stars
Jessica’s Review:
Witch Hunt is the second in the DCI Liam Doyle series. I enjoyed the first, Cut Short, and was excited to have the opportunity to listen to and review the second. Witch Hunt picks up just a few months after the events from Cut Short and I was ready to return back to these characters. I was especially wanting to see what was going to happen with DS Anna Morgan after the events of the previous novel. Though not necessary, I highly recommend reading Cut Short so you know the background of all the characters. These characters are all very lifelike and likeable: They come off as real people: Imperfections and all!
A little background if you are an American like me and not familiar with the area of Pendle Hill in England: It has an infamous ‘witchy’ history like Salem, Massachusetts: There were witch trials there in 1612. I would like to research and learn more about the area and then listen to this novel again. Not knowing about the history, I feel I did not get out as much as I could have if I had known more.
A young woman is found at Pendle Hill and she was brutally murdered. Doyal and his team are brought in despite the local police already having a young man in custody for the murder. A young man who was recently released from a psychiatric unit and believes whole heartedly that the victim was a witch. Later, another body is discovered and widens the case and mystery as to who the killer is.
Like Cut Short, Witch Hunt is a fast-paced novel that doesn’t let up even towards the end. This series is enjoyable with the dark British humor of these detectives. (But of course police will have a dark humor with what they deal with everyday!) I would love to listen to another in the series soon. BD Spargo has created characters I enjoy and I want to know what happens with them next! Can we just have more of Dr. Gupta in future novels? She is my favorite of all the characters!
Readers/ listeners, please prepare yourself for some gruesome crimes, and the details are not left out. I was very glad that Aubrey Parsons returned as narrator. He is DCI Liam Doyle for this listener!
I am very happy to have been on the blog tour for both novels in the DCI Liam Doyle series and hope Spargo doesn’t make us wait long for book three!
Purchase Links:
Amazon US
Audible US
About the Author:
Fast approaching fifty; without enough money for a sports car, BD Spargo decided to express his mid-life crises by turning to crime …
Thankfully for pretty much everyone this meant writing crime fiction rather than anything more nefarious. Originally from London, he spent his early career working in television and theatre including on the Ruth Rendall Mysteries broadcast on ITV.
A life changing accident necessitated retraining and a change of direction going on to work in mental health services. This culminated in ten years managing a groundbreaking forensic psychiatric service. He now lives in Lancashire with his family and is getting acclimatised to the rain.
Contact BD:
Website
Bluesky
X @BDSpargo
Instagram @BDSpargo