Robber's Wine

Aimee Jolson’s narration is the reason to choose the audiobook—her performance is a masterclass in tonal control. She turns Belle’s three children into distinct, infuriating, and deeply human figures, each voice layered with the kind of subtext that makes you lean in closer. The pacing is relentless, but not in a way that feels rushed; Hart balances investigative details with raw emotional beats, especially in the queer subplots that ground the story in something more than just a typical whodunit. That said, the mystery’s resolution leans a little too hard on coincidence for my taste—Belle’s secrets unravel a bit too neatly for a story that otherwise feels so meticulously constructed. And while the production is crisp, there’s one jarring moment midway where the volume spikes inexplicably, nearly blowing out my eardrums. But these are minor quibbles. *Robber’s Wine* is a standout in the LGBTQ+ mystery genre, and Jolson’s narration sells Hart’s sharp, subversive storytelling in a way that’s impossible to resist. If you’re here for a queer, twisty thriller with bite, this won’t disappoint.