Nona the Ninth
by Tamsyn Muir (Tor, 2022)
audiobook read by Moira Quirk (Recorded Books, 2022)
For a third time, Muir immerses her readers without exposition (though characters bleed through and the series backstory is given space). Nona takes up the baton and proves worthy, despite the unconscionably abrupt ending. Quirk deserves a medal for her audiobook reading.
Harrow the Ninth
by Tamsyn Muir (Tor, 2020)
audiobook read by Moira Quirk (Recorded Books, 2020)
Muir contrives to make this sequel as disorientating for fans of the first book as it would be for new readers. The story retains its compelling allure (credit again to Moira Quirk’s reading) but the immersive mystery-solving devolves into exposition and setup.
Gideon the Ninth
by Tamsyn Muir (Tor, 2019); audiobook read by Moira Quirk (Recorded Books, 2019)
Dark fantasy meets ensemble murder mystery. Muir’s world-building is top-notch and Gideon’s reprobate character is given exquisite voice (enhanced still further by Quirk’s audiobook reading). The interplay of warring personalities is afforded sufficient space that the various developments come across quite naturally.