The best books to listen to on audio

A Nearly Normal Family is the must-read thriller that everyone is talking about this summer. Told from three different perspectives – father, mother and daughter – this psychological thriller asks: ‘what would you do if your child was suspected of murder?’ The three sections of the audiobook are read by different narrators – Richard Armitage, who has starred in Hannibal, The Hobbit and Spooks, award-winning actress Emily Watson and Georgia Maguire – bringing to life each character’s story.

Redemption is the fifth audiobook in David Baldacci’s Amos Decker series, and sees the memory man returning to his hometown to commemorate the birthday of his daughter Molly, who was brutally murdered along with his wife and brother-in-law. While in town, he is tracked down by Meryl Hawkins, the first man he ever arrested for homicide more than twelve years ago. Meryl has always maintained his innocence, so could Decker have made a fatal mistake? The novel sees Amos reunited with his former partner Mary Lancaster, a partnership that is thrillingly brought to life in the audiobook by narrators Kyf Brewer and Orlagh Cassidy.

Salvation Lost is the second book in Peter F. Hamilton’s bestselling science fiction series, The Salvation Sequence. The comparatively utopian world of 23rd century Earth is about to change forever, as the alien race the Olyix, previously thought to be benign, plan to harvest humanity as an offering to their god at the end of the universe. With almost no time to fight back, some want to flee, but others refuse to back down. John Lee’s reading vividly brings the Salvation Sequence universe to life.

The first book in The Serpent Gates series, The Unspoken Name is an epic coming-of-age tale that follows Csorwe, who, on her fourteenth birthday will be sacrificed by the death cult who raised her. Offered a chance to escape her fate by a sorcerer who wants her as his assistant, sword-hand and assassin, Csorwe spends years living on a knife-edge until she is forced to confront her past . . . Let narrator Avita Jay transport you to a world of magic and danger.

In this thrilling episodic saga of love, loss, betrayal and ambition, you will be taken on an exhilarating journey from the back alleys of Bristol to the teeming streets of New York City and the gulags of Stalinist Russia. Its memorable cast of characters has captured the imaginations of readers across the globe. The audiobook is read by Emilia Fox, star of Silent Witness, and Roger Allam.

Dissolution is the first in the phenomenal Shardlake series, and features mystery, murder and political wrangling all set against the backdrop of the glamorous Tudor court. Immerse yourself in Tudor Britain with the audiobook read by award-winning narrator Steven Crossley.

‘Burial Rites is one of the best audiobooks I’ve ever done,’ says Picador's Audio Publishing Director Rebecca Lloyd. It's incredibly atmospheric and reader Morven Christie completely inhabits the character of Agnes Magnusdottir. For a novel which is so much about storytelling, audiobook has to be the best way to experience this heartbreaking true story of a woman accused of murdering her lover and condemned to die.

Alex Jennings, who starred as Prince Charles in the film The Queen, reads Edward St Aubyn's dark and ironic novels with a pitch-perfect tone. In this extract from the first book, Never Mind, he describes Patrick Melrose's father, David, callously drowning some ants with a hose, and perfectly captures the cruelty of literature's nastiest father.

This funny and heartfelt account of Louis Theroux’s life and weird times in TV is a must-read for any fans of the acclaimed documentary maker, and the audiobook is read by the mn himself. Filled with wry observations and self-deprecating humour, this is Louis at his best. If you need another incentive the audiobook edition contains an exclusive additional chapter.

Read by the Parks and Recreation star herself, the audiobook of Yes Please has guest appearances from Patrick Stewart, Kathleen Turner and many others who stroll into the studio. Listening to the audiobook is like hanging out at your hilarious best friend's house and Poehler's wisdom is delivered brilliantly.