Books: Spoken word

Maybe Arthur C Clarke should be advising on the Millennium Dome; certainly in 3001 The Final Odyssey (HCA, c 3hrs, pounds 8.99) his supercivilised new Earth beats what any government imagineer has dreamt up so far. But its new glories look set to be destroyed by a death sentence passed on it by Supercelestials 500 light years away. Only Hal can save us - but is he still on our side? Read with awestruck conviction by Tim Pigott-Smith.

What to do when the next god turns out to be not only a woman but also a talented serial killer? Michael Cordy's The Miracle Strain (HCA, 3hrs, pounds 8.99) is an unturnoffable thriller involving a race to discover a miracle gene between a scientist whose daughter has a brain tumour and an apocalyptic sect in search of the DNA of the next Messiah.

Christina Hardyment