The Authorized Version

For many years I have been asked frequently, “Are your books available in audio?” My answer was sketchy, I have had several titles recorded for the blind—which pleases me greatly—and in 2013 my publisher produced audiobooks of what were then the first two titles in my Elizabeth and Richard series. That was it.

Until a few months ago when Amazon began offering voice-generated audiobooks. Being a low-tech, slow-adapter, I hesitated. But in January I took the plunge with Going There, Tales from the Riviera and Beyond. I was amazed. Truly three clicks did the job. I selected a lovely British female voice, set the price near the minimum allowed, and clicked publish. I now have 23 audiobooks (about half of my published titles) available for readers who want the listening experience.

History of “Talking Books”

In spite of coming late to the party with my own titles, my husband and I have long enjoyed listening to books when we travel. And I discovered that the history of “talking books” goes back much further than one might guess. The first were short recordings on a cylinder made in the late nineteenth century. In 1932 The American Foundation for the Blind offered the first audiobooks on gramophone records. The invention of cassette tapes in 1962 made the later popularity of books on tape possible. Libraries began offering them to their patrons and some bookstores offered clubs which allowed members to check out recorded books for a fee. We had such a membership in the 1990s. Later, one of my regular tasks before setting out on a road trip was to scour library shelves for cassette tapes, and then CDs, of books for our journey.

The revolution began in 1997 when a company named Audible produced a portable media player. Amazon purchased Audible in 2008 and in April of that year they released 25 titles. Current statistics are impossible to find, especially because new titles are added every day, but they must be nearing the million mark—if they haven’t surpassed it already.

Donna Fletcher Crow Audible Titles

My one frustration with the Amazon Audible system is that not all titles are eligible, but I am delighted to be able to offer readers at least some titles from each of my series. For easy reference, here is the complete listing:

Short Story Collections

Going There, Tales from the Riviera and Beyond, An account of a memorable travel experience in the real world and the fictional which will sweep you to places physical and imaginary, and like all good books, will expand your universe.

A Lighted Lamp, Scenes of Christmas Through Time, From Scotland a thousand years ago to modern England, with visits to the American west in between, queens, Regency ladies and pioneers celebrate Christmas with faith and festivities.

The Monastery Murders

A Very Private Grave, Legendary buried treasure, a brutal murder, and lurking danger—an itinerary of terror across a holy terrain.

A Darkly Hidden Truth, Ancient puzzles, modern murder, and breathless chase scenes through a remote, waterlogged landscape.

A Newly Crimsoned Reliquary, Murder stalks the shadows of Oxford’s hallowed shrines,

An All-Consuming Fire, A Christmas wedding in a monastery—if the bride can defeat the murderer prowling the Yorkshire moors.

Lord Danvers Investigates:

A Most Inconvenient Death, The brutal Stanfield Hall murders shatter a quiet Norwich community and pull Danvers from deep personal grief into a dangerous investigation.

A Lethal Spectre, A glittering London season set against the horrors of an Indian mutiny.

Elizabeth and Richard Literary Suspense:

The Flame Ignites: Elizabeth and Richard’s strife-filled first meeting in a New England autumn.

The Shadow of Reality: Elizabeth and Richard at a Dorothy L Sayers mystery week high in the Rocky Mountains.

A Midsummer Eve’s Nightmare: Elizabeth and Richard honeymoon at a Shakespeare Festival in Ashland, Oregon.

A Jane Austen Encounter: A second honeymoon visit to Jane Austen’s homes turns deadly.

A Most Singular Venture: Murder in Jane Austen’s London.

Where There is Love:

Where Love Triumphs: Charming, brilliant, and lame, Sir Brandley Hilliard believes he can do very well without love of any kind in his life—until he meets Elinor Silbert—and then Charles Simeon.

Where Love Shines: Blinded in the Charge of the Light Brigade, Richard, inspired by the Earl of Shaftesbury, gropes through physical and spiritual blindness to the light of Jennifer’s love.

The Celtic Cross Series:

The Refiner of the Realm, Of Queens and Clerics: Queen Margaret reforms the court.

The Planting of Ulster, Of visionaries and Builders: The Scottish settle the Plantations. 

The Strife of Ascendancy, Of People and Rulers: The English establish rule over the land and the church.

The Shaping of the Union, Of Plots and Parliaments: Ireland is united with England and Scotland.

The Dawning of Peace, Of Dreamers and Designers: The birth of Northern Ireland. 

The Daughters of Courage

Kathryn, Days of Struggle and Triumph, The unique story of Idaho’s desert pioneers in the early days of the twentieth century. 

Elizabeth, Days of Loss and Hope, Kathryn’s daughter finds her way through the challenges of the Great Depression and World War II.

Stephanie, Days of Turmoil and Victory, Strong family ties help Stephanie achieve success in the turbulent days of the 1970s. 

I love to read, both from paper books and electronic devices, but hearing a story is a different experience altogether. When reading a text, we interpret the story we see on the written page. When hearing a story there is nothing physical between us and the event. Hearing a story is more like overhearing an actual conversation. Hearing isn’t necessarily a better experience, it’s a different experience.

So, the next time you want to relax and let someone else do the reading for you—just give a listen.