When you're shopping for audiobooks, the first fork in the road is often about format and scope. Do you want a single compelling novel to finish in an afternoon, or a massive series that can keep you company for weeks? That's exactly the choice between a 22-title Mike Bowditch mystery collection and a single Belva Plain novel on CD. Here's how to decide.
Quick Verdict If you want a deep crime-and-thriller binge with a large cast of books, the Mike Bowditch Mysteries collection is the clear pick. If you prefer a compact, emotional fiction audiobook on a traditional CD and want to spend less, Crossroads is a straightforward grab-and-go option.
At a Glance
| Product | Listed Price | Value Bar | What You Get |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mike Bowditch Mysteries by Paul Doiron (22 Unabridged Audiobooks on USB or DVD) | USD 39.95 | 22 unabridged titles, USB or DVD, Like New condition, Crime & Thriller | |
| Crossroads by Belva Plain Audiobook CDs Unabridged 4 Discs | USD 7.59 | 4 CDs, unabridged, 5 hours, Audio CD, Good condition, Fiction |
The price gap is USD 32.36 between the two. That's a wide span, and it makes sense because one is a multi-book collection and the other is a single novel.
Where Each Product Wins Mike Bowditch Mysteries wins on volume and genre. With 22 unabridged titles, you get an entire series arc from "The Poacher's Son" through "Pitch Dark" and "Storm Tide." It's available on USB flash drive or DVD, so it's a practical way to carry a huge library without a stack of discs. The condition is listed as Like New. For mystery fans who want to jump into a long-running series, this is the stronger value.
Crossroads wins on simplicity and lower upfront cost. It's a single unabridged novel by Belva Plain, a New York Times bestselling author, narrated by Ann Marie Lee. The 4 CDs hold about 5 hours of listening. It's a straightforward Audio CD in a library case, listed in Good condition. If you want a self-contained story and prefer physical CDs, or if you're testing the waters with an author you haven't tried, the lower price makes this an easy entry point.
Product Notes
Mike Bowditch Mysteries by Paul Doiron (22 Unabridged Audiobooks on USB or DVD)
This is the complete Mike Bowditch series in one bundle, covering 22 titles, including novels and short novellas. The listing offers a choice of DVD disc or USB flash drive, so you can pick the carrier that fits your player. It's unabridged, and the condition is Like New. The series falls squarely in crime, thriller, and mystery, appealing to young adults and adults. The main limitation is the upfront price: USD 39.95 is the higher end of the range here, though you're paying for a full collection rather than a single book. If you're already a Paul Doiron fan or want a long-term listening project, this is the one to grab.
Crossroads by Belva Plain Audiobook CDs Unabridged 4 Discs
This is a single, compact audiobook. The 4 CDs give you the unabridged version of "Crossroads," which runs about 5 hours. It's a fiction title, and the listing notes a library case and Good condition. The narrator is Ann Marie Lee, which is a nice detail if you enjoy a polished performance. The obvious advantage is the price: USD 7.59 is the lowest listed price in this comparison. The drawback is that you get one novel, not a series. If you're in the mood for a contained story, or if you're not ready to commit to a multi-book series, this CD set is a low-cost, low-fuss option.
Final Choice by Use Case
- Pick the Mike Bowditch Mysteries collection if you want a long-running crime saga, prefer USB/DVD convenience, or need a large listening library in one purchase.
- Pick Crossroads if you want a single complete novel on CD, are curious about Belva Plain's writing, or just prefer to spend under USD 10.
Both are unabridged, but they serve very different listening habits. Let your format preference and the scope of the story be your guide.
