Laced

Narrating her own work, Carol Higgins Clark brings a delightfully brisk energy to *Laced*, her voice shifting effortlessly between Regan’s dry wit and the clipped urgency of police procedurals. There’s a warmth to her delivery that makes the story feel like an inside joke between author and listener, especially during Regan’s sardonic inner monologues. The production quality is polished but unobtrusive—no over-musical narration or distracting sound effects—just a clean, immersive listen that lets the story do the heavy lifting. That said, the audiobook isn’t without its quirks. Clark’s narration occasionally leans into a slightly clipped cadence that can make Regan sound more impatient than clever, and the Irish accents (when they crop up) verge on caricature, particularly in the case of a bumbling hotel manager. Pacing is where this shines: the plot hurtles forward with the relentless momentum of a thriller, but the lack of lingering atmospheric pauses means some scenes blur together. Still, these are minor nitpicks in an otherwise snappy, satisfying mystery. If you’re a fan of Clark’s Regan Reilly series, you’ll appreciate the return of her signature blend of humor and danger. New listeners might need a beat to acclimate to the rapid-fire dialogue, but the payoff—a twisty, heart-pounding chase with a dash of romance—is well worth the ride.