Old School

Charles Robert Fox nails this audiobook. His voice is the perfect mix of gruff and warm—a tired but not defeated ex-copper with a dry wit and a soft spot for his dog (who gets more than a few affectionate moments in the narration). Fox’s performance breathes life into Albert Smith, a character who could’ve felt like a cliché but instead feels like a man you’d trust to have your back. The supporting cast is equally well-judged, from the gossipy village elder with a grudge to the too-charming local cop who’s hiding more than he lets on. That said, the early chapters drag a bit as Higgs sets the scene—Albert’s backstory is delivered in chunks that feel more like exposition dumps than organic storytelling. Once the stakes rise and the mystery deepens, though, the pacing kicks in, and the audiobook becomes impossible to pause. My only real quibble is with the sound design: some ambient noises (like rustling leaves or distant footsteps) are louder than the dialogue at points, forcing me to adjust the volume constantly. But the production is otherwise top-notch, with Fox’s voice crystal clear and the editing seamless. The twist that bookends the story is genuinely surprising, even if the red herrings feel a tad overused toward the end. Still, *Old School* delivers exactly what it promises: a smart, satisfying mystery with heart, humor, and a hero you’ll root for from the first bark.