Audiobooks narrated by Matthew Brenher

Brought to you by Penguin. We are creatures of habit, living most of our lives automatically, in small worlds of more or less comfortable routine. But sometimes outside forces compel us to adjust, and sometimes we must make changes ourselves. What happens when change disrupts our lives? This book is the first in a trilogy which offers an insight unlike any other into the human mind and heart: how we are, how we break, and how we mend. It is about all of us, humbly figuring out how to live. ©2015 Vincent Deary (P)2024 Penguin Audio

Vincent Deary (Author), Matthew Brenher (Narrator)

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Haunted by the Past

Supernatural detective Ishmael Jones knows all there is to know about solving mysteries. Together with his love and partner in crimes, Penny Belcourt, he specializes in cases of the weird and uncanny. Lucas Carr went to Glenbury Hall, an old country manor house turned hotel. He signed in at reception, took his key, and went upstairs to his room. But he never got there. Somehow he vanished along the way, with not a single clue to suggest what might have happened to him. Lucas belonged to the same mysterious organization that employs Ishmael and Penny, so they are sent in to solve the mystery. But when they arrive at grim and isolated Glenbury Hall, they discover it has a reputation as one of the most haunted old houses in England. None of the usual headless monks or walled-up nuns—just stories of lost souls that dance with the statues in the grounds, doors that won’t stay shut, rooms that aren’t always there, and something that prowls the house in the early hours, endlessly searching—and they say it crawls. Does Lucas’s disappearance have something to do with the organization or the Hall’s haunted past? Ishmael and Penny have to work their way through a series of mysterious clues and misleading suspects, uncovering secret after secret, before they finally arrive at a truth that no one suspected. The problem with history is that it’s not always content to stay in the past.

Simon R. Green (Author), Matthew Brenher (Narrator)

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Striking Back: The End of Peace in Cyberspace—and How to Restore It

Faced with relentless technological aggression in the twenty-first century, how can Western nations fight back to protect national security and preserve international stability? Before the cyber age, foreign interference in Western democratic politics played out in a comparatively narrow arena—limited to the realm of print and broadcast. The explosive expansion of cyberspace has radically altered this situation. The hacking activities of Russian military agents in the 2016 US presidential election and other major incidents demonstrate the magnitude of the contemporary problem and the sophistication of foreign adversaries’ offensive strategy. This is a struggle that the West is losing. Lucas Kello delves into recent history to reveal the failures of present policy in preventing and punishing cyberattacks and other forms of technological aggression. Drawing upon case studies and interviews with decisionmakers, Kello develops a bold new solution: a concentrated and coordinated retaliation strategy to deter further antagonism. This book provides an approachable yet nuanced exploration of national security challenges in an era of intense technological rivalry.

Lucas Kello (Author), Matthew Brenher (Narrator)

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The Time for Love

New York Times bestselling author Stephanie Laurens explores what happens when a gentleman intent on acquiring a business meets the unconventional lady owner, only to discover that she is not the biggest or the most lethal hurdle they and the business face. Martin Cynster arrives at Carmichael Steelworks set on acquiring the business as the jewel in his industrialist’s crown, only to discover that the lady owner is not at all what he expected. Miss Sophia Carmichael learned about steelmaking at her father’s knee and, having inherited the major shareholding, sees no reason not to continue exactly as she is—running the steelworks and steadily becoming an expert in steel alloys. When Martin Cynster tracks her down, she has no option but to listen to his offer—until impending disaster on the steelworks floor interrupts. Consequently, she tries to dismiss Martin, but he is persistent, and as he has now saved her life, gratitude compels her to hear him out. And day by day, as his understanding of her and the works grows, what he offers grows increasingly tempting, until a merger, both business-wise and personal, is very much on their cards. But a series of ever-escalating incidents makes it clear someone else has an eye on the steelworks. The quest to learn who and why leads Martin and Sophia into ever greater danger as, layer by layer, they uncover a diabolical scheme that, ultimately, will drain the lifeblood not just from the steelworks but from the city of Sheffield as well.

Stephanie Laurens (Author), Matthew Brenher (Narrator)

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Foes, Friends, and Lovers

A gentleman searching for a purpose in life sets out to claim his legacy, only to discover that instead of the country residence he’d expected, he’s inherited an eccentric community whose enterprises are overseen by a decidedly determined young lady who is disinclined to hand over the reins. Gregory Cynster arrives at the property willed to him by his great-aunt with the intention of converting Bellamy Hall into a quiet, comfortable, gentleman’s country residence, only to discover the Hall overrun by an eclectic collection of residents engaged in a host of business endeavors under the stewardship of a lady far too young to be managing such reins. With the other residents of the estate, Caitlin Fergusson has been planning just how to deal with the new owner, but coming face to face with Gregory Cynster throws her and everyone else off their stride. They’d anticipated a bored and disinterested gentleman who, once they’d revealed the income generated by the Hall’s community, would be content to leave them undisturbed. Instead, while Gregory appears the epitome of the London rake they’d expected him to be, they quickly learn he’s determined to embrace Bellamy Hall and all its works and claim ownership of the estate. While the other residents adjust their thinking, the burden of dealing daily with Gregory falls primarily on Caitlin’s slender shoulders. Yet as he doggedly carves out a place for himself, Caitlin’s position as chatelaine-cum-steward seems set to grow redundant. But Caitlin has her own reasons for clinging to the refuge her position at Bellamy Hall represents. What follows is a dance of revelations, both of others and also of themselves, for Gregory, Caitlin, and the residents of Bellamy Hall. Yet even as they work out what their collective future might hold, a shadowy villain threatens to steal away everything they’ve created.

Stephanie Laurens (Author), Matthew Brenher (Narrator)

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Belly of the Beast

Auggie loves his job at the Fabled Stables, but he fears the day when it will come to an end. Fen keeps dropping hints that caretakers don't stay forever, and it's giving Auggie the grumps. Thankfully, there always seems to be a new stall to fill. This time, the stables set Auggie on a quest to rescue a beast called the Shibboleth-but, the portal leads Auggie and Fen to the lair of the evil Rooks! In the dark, damp dungeon, they meet one mysterious girl and one very hungry monster. It's already gobbled up all of the Rooks, and Auggie and Fen are next unless they figure out the one way to calm the creature. Will they be able to work together to complete the mission before it's too late?

Jonathan Auxier (Author), Dez Walker, Gary Furlong, Gildart Jackson, Matthew Brenher, Nikki Thomas, Tyla Collier (Narrator)

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The Meaning of Love

What happens when a love left behind doesn't die? Melissa North had assumed that after eight years of not setting eyes on each other, her youthful attraction to-or an infatuation with-Julian Delamere, once Viscount Dagenham and now Earl of Carsely, would have faded to nothing and gasped its last. Unfortunately, during the intervening years, she has failed to find any suitable suitor who measures up to her mark, and she is resigned to ending her days an old maid. Then she sees Julian across a crowded ballroom, and he sees her, and the intensity of their connection shocks her. She seizes the first chance that offers to flee, only to discover that she has jumped from the frying pan into the fire. Within twenty-four hours, she and Julian are the newly engaged toast of the ton. Julian has never forgotten Melissa. Now, having inherited the earldom, he must marry and is determined to choose his own bride. He had assumed that, by now, Melissa would be married to someone else, but apparently not. Consequently, he is not averse to the path Fate seems to be steering them down. And, indeed, as they discover, enforced separation has made their hearts grow fonder, and the attraction between them flares even more intensely. However, it's soon apparent that someone is intent on ensuring their married life is cut short in deadly fashion. Through a whirlwind courtship, a massive ton wedding, and finally, blissful country peace, they fend off increasingly dangerous, potentially lethal threats, until, together, they unravel the conspiracy that has dogged their heels and expose the villain behind it all.

Stephanie Laurens (Author), Matthew Brenher (Narrator)

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The Secrets of Lord Grayson Child

#1 New York Times bestselling author Stephanie Laurens returns to the world of the Cynsters' next generation with the tale of an unconventional nobleman and an equally unconventional noblewoman learning to love and trust again. A jilted noblewoman forced into a dual existence half in and half out of the ton is unexpectedly confronted by the nobleman who left her behind ten years ago, but before either can catch their breaths, they trip over a murder and into a race to capture a killer. Lord Grayson Child is horrified to discover that the London Crier, a popular gossip rag, is proposing to expose his extraordinary wealth to the ton's matchmakers, not to mention London's shysters and Captain Sharps. He hies to London and corners the Crier's proprietor-only to discover the paper's owner is the last person he would have expected to see. Izzy-Lady Isadora Descartes-is flabbergasted when Gray appears in her printing works' office. He is the very last person she wants to meet while in her role as owner of the London Crier, but there he is, as large as life, and she has to deal with him without giving herself away! She manages-just-and seizes on the late hour to put him off so she can work out what to do. But before leaving the printing works, she and he stumble across a murder, and all hell breaks loose. Izzy can only be grateful for Gray's support as, to free them both of suspicion, they embark on a joint campaign to find the killer. Yet working side by side opens their eyes to who they each are now-both quite different from the youthful would-be lovers of ten years before. Mutual respect, affection, and appreciation grow, and amid the chaos of hunting a ruthless killer, they find themselves facing the question of whether what they had deemed to be wrecked ten years before can be resurrected. Then the killer's motive proves to be a treasonous plot, and with others, Gray and Izzy race to prevent a catastrophe, a task that ultimately falls to them alone in a situation in which the only way out is through selfless togetherness. Only by relying on each other will they survive.

Stephanie Laurens (Author), Matthew Brenher (Narrator)

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Trouble with Tattle-Tails

Auggie and his magical companions are tending to the Fabled Stables when the building shakes and shudders to make room for a new arrival: the Tattle-Tail. Auggie and friends travel through the portal to a town called Rainbow's End in search of this mysterious creature. Auggie assumes that the Tattle-Tail is in danger, but he learns that it's actually the town that needs rescuing...from an infestation of Tattle-Tails! These talking tails have taken over, attaching themselves to every backside in town (including Auggie's!). The Tails tattle on whomever they're attached to: She picked her nose! He just double-dipped! The constant stress of being tattled on has thrown all of Rainbow's End into chaos! Soon, Auggie and friends hatch a plan to collect the Tattle-Tails and bring them safely to the Stables-foiling the evil Rooks along the way.

Jonathan Auxier (Author), Gary Furlong, Gildart Jackson, Katherine Littrell, Matthew Brenher, Nano Nagle (Narrator)

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The Games Lovers Play

#1 New York Times bestselling author Stephanie Laurens returns to the Cynsters's next generation with an evocative tale of two people striving to overcome unusual hurdles in order to claim true love. A nobleman wedded to the lady he loves strives to overwrite five years of masterful pretense and open his wife's eyes to the fact that he loves her as much as she loves him. Lord Devlin Cader, Earl of Alverton, married Therese Cynster five years ago. What he didn't tell her then and has assiduously hidden ever since-for what seemed excellent reasons at the time-is that he loves her every bit as much as she loves him. For her own misguided reasons, Therese had decided that the adage that Cynsters always marry for love did not necessarily mean said Cynsters were loved in return. She accepted that was usually so, but she believed she would never be loved for herself. Consequently, after falling irrevocably in love with Devlin, when he made it plain he didn't love her yet wanted her to wife, she accepted the half love-match he offered, and once they were wed, set about organizing to make their marriage the very best it could be. Now, five years later, they are an established couple within the haut ton, have three young children, and Devlin is making a name for himself in business and political circles. There's only one problem: Devlin is no longer content with the half love-match he himself engineered. No fool, he sees and comprehends what the craven act of denying his love is costing both him and Therese and feels compelled to rectify his fault. He wants for them what all Therese's married cousins enjoy-the rich and myriad benefits of marriages based on acknowledged mutual love. Love, he's discovered, is too powerful a force to deny, leaving him wrestling with the conundrum of finding a way to convincingly reveal to Therese that he loves her without wrecking everything-especially the mutual trust-they've built over the past five years.

Stephanie Laurens (Author), Matthew Brenher (Narrator)

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The Citadel of Chaos: The Terror of the Ganjees: Fighting Fantasy Audio Dramas Book 3

When Vale Moonwing is summoned to the Black Tower, she must prepare herself for a confrontation with the dread warlord Balthus Dire. "...exactly what you'd want a drama based on the Fighting Fantasy series to be... The tale nails the feel of the Fighting Fantasy series perfectly" - STARBURST MAGAZINE

David N. Smith, David Smith (Author), Andrew Wincott, Charlie Higson, David Warner, Lisa Bowerman, Matthew Brenher, Nina Clarke, Peter Noble, Rachel Atkins, Richard Rycroft, Russell Bentley, Sophie Roberts, Tim Treloar, Toby Longworth (Narrator)

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The Warlock of Firetop Mountain: The Hero's Quest: Fighting Fantasy Audio Drama Book 1

Join elven hero Vale Moonwing and adventurer Cassius Stormblade on their quest through the depths of Firetop Mountain. Can they survive the deadly traps and evade Zagor's army of the undead? Can they stay alive long enough to confront the dark warlock himself? "...exactly what you'd want a drama based on the Fighting Fantasy series to be... The tale nails the feel of the Fighting Fantasy series perfectly" - STARBURST MAGAZINE

Audiobook

Audiobooks Narrated by Matthew Brenher