Lisa Armytage – creating fiction and non-fiction audiobooks

“Why did I ask Lisa to narrate the three books that make up The Midlife Trilogy?

“That’s easy.

There’s an emotional intelligence in her voice, a relatively rare quality, that I knew meant she would be able to convey the complexity of emotions required from the story.

It’s not just a case of having a clear speaking voice. With a slight inflection, a pause, a little extra weight on a syllable, an actor can say a thousand more words, than the few they are actually tasked to speak. And with voice work, the ability to do this, to wrench every last drop of anger, or embarrassment, happiness or shame from a spoken line is essential.

Lisa has this quality in abundance. She could narrate the telephone book, and I guarantee you’d want to listen. From the beginning I have whole-heartedly trusted in her ability to portray my characters, as accurately and sympathetically as I have attempted to write them.”

— Cary J Hansson (Finalist the Kindle Storyteller Award 2023)

‘Close to You’ (Cary J Hansson) - Recorded in Lisa’s studio for Storied House Ltd, 2024

‘Close To You’ is the immersive second novel in the GenX women’s contemporary fiction series. Laced with humour, it handles difficult topics with moments of comedy.

Party-planner, Jo Swainson takes pride in her optimistic outlook. But after being blindsided by her cold mother Bobbi’s sudden dementia diagnosis, she’s devastated when her husband announces that he’s leaving to start a family with another.

Jo soon realises her mother is a stranger she longs to know. But with dementia tightening its grip, time is running out for both of them.

‘Agnes: A childhood betrayed and reclaimed’ (Judy King) - Recorded in Lisa’s studio for Audiobooksradio, 2024

Something has blighted her life since her childhood in Australia. This is the revelatory, true account of one woman's determination to grapple with—and heal—the ills that have beset her past.

“Lisa has a range of expression and accents that fit beautifully into audiobook production. She has an intuitive sense of interpretation of emotions within storytelling - making a book come alive. She was a wonder to work with - efficient, clear and creative”

— Maria Issaris, Head, Audiobook Productions, Audiobooks Radio

‘Fast Forward’ (Juliet Madison) - Recorded in Lisa’s studio for Bloodhound Books, 2024

Aspiring supermodel Kelli Crawford seems destined to marry her hotshot photographer boyfriend—but on her twenty-fifth birthday she wakes up in an entirely different world . . .

Suddenly, she isn’t twenty-five; she’s turning fifty. She doesn’t have a big-deal boyfriend; she has a nerdy husband. She also has demanding adult children, a grandchild on the way, and symptoms of menopause. Not to mention a whole lot of very confusing technology to figure out.

While Kelli “celebrates” her Big Five-O birthday, she desperately schemes to get back to her glorious past. But what if there’s no way out—and what if her future proves to be the life she really wants to lead?

‘House for All Seasons’ (Jenn J McLeod) - Recorded in Lisa’s studio for Isis Publishing Ltd. 2024

Bequeathed a century-old house, four estranged friends return to their hometown in rural Australia, where each must stay for a season. At Dandelion House, the women will discover a secret that ties all four to each other and to the house - forever.

‘The Under History’ (Kaaron Warren) - Recorded in Lisa’s studio for Viper. 2024

On the day of her last haunted house tour of the season, an unexpected group of men arrives. Pera knows their type all too well - dangerous men, who will keep an old woman alive only so long as she is useful.

“X Kaaron Warren – 20/4/24 – The audiobook of The Underhistory is out, read to perfection by the brilliant @LisaArmytage!”

— Kaaron Warren

‘Back to her Future’ (Cary J Hansson) - Recorded in Lisa’s studio for Hansson Publishing, 2024

‘Back to her Future’ is the first book in Cary’s Gen X series.

Thirty years after Meryem is abducted from England to Turkey, a whispered confession from her dying father sets her on a path to discover the truth and her lost friendships.

“Lisa Armytage did a terrific job bringing the book to life. The different women we got to listen to through this book all had different voices and a different ring to their part. I love it when someone is reading a book like this, it makes the story feel so much more alive.”

— Sofia - Goodreads

“The narrator, Lisa Armytage, was superb. The accents and voices of both male and female characters were extremely well done.
Easily my favorite book of 2024!”

— Nicola - Goodreads

‘A Midlife Gamble’ (Cary J Hansson) - Recorded in Lisa’s Studio for Hansson Publishing, 2023

A Midlife Gamble is the emotional third tale in the Midlife Trilogy women’s fiction series.

Three friends – a shocking diagnosis, a blowout fight - the closeness of these women is being torn apart. When someone suggests a trio of tickets to Vegas, Helen hopes the trip will rescue their decades-long friendship.

“Excellent finish to the trilogy -
Really enjoyed all three books. Excellent narrator. She bought the characters to life. Great storyline and kept me hooked. Highly recommend”

— Audible Customer (26-08-2023)

‘Life Keeps Me Dancing’ (Eileen Kramer) Recorded in Lisa’s Studio for Macmillan Australia Audio, 2023

“I am not old. I have just been here for a long time.”

Eileen Kramer has lived the most extraordinary life. Born just after Australia entered World War I, she embraced creativity and adventure from an early age. She danced and painted murals in Karachi; worked as an artist's model in Paris and London; met Ella Fitzgerald and Groucho Marx; and learned the twist from Louis Armstrong. Now, at 108, she is still dancing.

‘Murder in the Family’ (Cara Hunter) - 2023

In October 2003, Luke Ryder was found dead in the garden of the family home in London, leaving behind a wealthy older widow and three stepchildren. Years later a group of experts re-examine the evidence on ‘Infamous’, a true-crime show – with shocking results. Does the team know more than they’ve been letting on?

In this multi-voice audiobook Lisa plays Forensic Psychologist Leila Furness, as well as multiple ‘ensemble’ characters.

“Audibly, I thought it was brilliant. The cast was excellent”

— Audible customer review (30-08-2023)

‘A Distant Land’ (Alison Booth) - Recorded in Lisa’s Studio for Isis Publishing Ltd, 2023

In 1957, nine-year-old Zidra Vincent met Jim Cadwallader for the first time. Now, fourteen years later, their bond of friendship is still strong.

Jim is now a respected war correspondent in Cambodia; Zidra is an ambitious reporter at the Sydney Morning Chronicle. The seeds of a major story have just landed in her lap.

Then, while at work in the newsroom one morning, Zidra catches sight of a story out of Cambodia. The body of a Western journalist has been discovered near Phnom Penh. Her world begins to collapse around her.

‘The Indigo Sky’ (Alison Booth) - Recorded in Lisa’s Studio for Isis Publishing Ltd, 2023

It is the spring of 1961. Behind closed doors in the sleepy and beautiful little town of Jingera all is not so perfect. George Cadwallader - butcher by day and stargazer by night - is loved by everyone, except his wife. Philip Chapman is a sensitive young boy, a musical prodigy - and a target for bullies. Then there's Ilona Vincent and her daughter Zidra, former refugees. When a voice from the past reaches out to them, they're soon in a race against time to reunite a family that has been cruelly torn apart...

‘Stillwater Creek’ (Alison Booth) - Recorded in Lisa’s Studio for Isis Publishing Ltd, 2023

It's 1957 and, after the death of her husband, pianist Ilona Talivaldis and her nine-year-old daughter Zidra travel to the remote coastal town of Jingera in New South Wales. Ilona, a concentration camp survivor from Latvia, is searching for peace and the opportunity to start anew. The weeks pass, and slowly mother and daughter get to know the townsfolk.

For Jingera is not quite the utopia Ilona imagines it to be - and at risk is the one thing Ilona holds dear…

“I’ve just finished listening to your reading of Stillwater Creek and I am delighted with it – thank you! There are many different voices in the novel and you’ve done these beautifully. I have really loved it. ”

— Alison Booth (Author)

‘Bellevue’ (Alison Booth) - Recorded in Lisa’s Studio for Isis Publishing Ltd, 2023

New South Wales, 1972. Widow Clare Barclay inherits Bellevue, an historic property in the Blue Mountains township of Numbulla, Australia. Clare plans to restore the house to its original glory. She also hopes to shed light on why her husband Jack secretly second-mortgaged their home.

Clare makes friends with the locals, and soon hears of plans to redevelop Numbulla, and to exploit the land bordering the protected wilderness area. But as she joins the fight against the rezoning, it's clear someone doesn't want her there - and they'll do anything to stop her...

‘A Midlife Baby’ (Cary J Hansson) - Recorded in Lisa’s Studio for Hansson Publishing, 2023

A Midlife Gamble is the second book in the Midlife Trilogy women’s fiction series.

Helen Winters feels like a new woman. Determined to reclaim her future and enjoy the second half of life, the 50-year-old comes back from a trip to Cyprus brimming with optimism. But just as the freedom of divorce is within her grasp, her daughter returns from college with an unwelcome surprise.

‘Walking to Greenham’ (Ann Pettitt) - Recorded in Lisa’s Studio for Honno Press, 2022

"A young mother bringing up her children in rural Wales, Ann Pettitt began a movement that changed the face of modern history"

Coming together with a small group of friends, Ann Pettitt started a movement that changed the face of Cold War Britain. Her remarkable memoir tells the real story behind one of the 20th century's most iconic expressions of grass roots political will.

“Dear Lisa,
I just listened to the audio clip of you narrating my book. I really enjoyed it. You brought my words to life beautifully. Bravo!”

— Ann Pettitt.

‘A Midlife Holiday’ (Cary J Hansson) - Recorded in Lisa’s Studio for Hansson Publishing, 2022

A Midlife Holiday is the first book in the Midlife Trilogy women’s fiction series.

Helen Winters worries the walls are closing in. With her children grown and her husband literally climbing Mt. Everest on her 50th birthday, she regrets not taking the more daring paths she dreamed about in her youth. So when a well-meaning gift reveals a depressing image of her future, she takes a leap of faith and jets off to Cyprus for a vacation with her two lifelong friends.

‘The Tea Set’ (Cary J Hansson) - Recorded in Lisa’s Studio for Hansson Publishing, 2022

Sandwiched between the needs of her elderly Geordie mother and her own family, Annie barely has time for a quick swim, let alone a leisurely chat about a long neglected tea set. But as the story unfolds, the modern world seems to fall away along with her mother's dementia, and forgotten family histories are revealed.

‘Kirsty's Vineyard’ (Anna Jacobs) - Recorded in Lisa’s Studio for Allison & Busby, 2022

In the aftermath of a heartbreaking accident, Kirsty is shocked to discover that she has inherited a vineyard in Western Australia from Ed James, a lonely old man she befriended at the library. But there is a condition to his legacy: Kirsty must give up her quiet life in England and live at the vineyard for a least one year.

How will a shy librarian cope on her own in a strange country? As she is forced to take her life off hold, one thing is certain, everything is about to change for Kirsty.

‘The Best Valentine’s Day Ever’ (Anna Jacobs) - Recorded in Lisa’s Studio for Allison & Busby, 2021

A collection of sixteen heart-warming short stories from the popular author Anna Jacobs. Romance crosses time and generations as British lives discover the beautiful and sometimes challenging world of Australia.

“Lisa has been great to work with on two audiobooks now for Allison & Busby’s list. She has been the perfect choice as a narrator, expressive and consistent, as well as clear and on schedule in all our dealings about the recording and files.”

— Lesley Crooks, Publishing Manager, Allison and Busby

‘The Lockdown Diaries’ (Lady Dawn Annandale) - Recorded in Lisa’s Studio for Lady Dawn Annandale, 2021

Witty and hilariously daft insights into the daily struggles of the pandemic: 'The Lockdown Diaries' records a year in the life of Dawn, Rod, their kids, cats and garden. We will all identify with their daily struggles with the pandemic. At first Dawn started sharing her diaries with a few friends, then with a wider audience on Facebook until finally ‘The Lockdown Diaries’ were unleashed!

Artwork by Bookstyle.

“Thank you so much lovely Lisa Armytage for your shamazeballs narration!”

— Lady Dawn Annandale

‘The Corrigan Legacy’ (Anna Jacobs) - Recorded in Lisa’s Studio for Allison & Busby, 2021

A captivating story of secrets and surprise. Childless Maeve Corrigan, though rich and successful, is dying of cancer. She wants to leave her business empire to one of the offspring of her two estranged brothers. But which young relative should she choose? A blend of romance and intrigue, as secrets are revealed, and lives are changed.

“It’s a Fabulous book. Loved every minute of listening”

— Amazon Customer January 2022.

‘A Murder at Rosings’ (Annette Purdey Pugh) - Recorded in Lisa’s Studio for Honno Press, 2021

A major treat for Jane Austen fans! When Mr Collins is found stabbed to death in Lady Catherine de Bourgh’s garden, simmering tensions are revealed beneath the elegant Regency surface of the Rosings estate.

“I’m delighted with Lisa’s narration of my novel ‘A Murder at Rosings’. She really brings my characters to life.”

— Annette Purdey Pugh, author of ‘A Murder at Rosings’.

“thank you for doing a splendid job for the book”

— Caroline Oakley, Editor/Publisher, Honno Press

‘The Battle for God: Fundamentalism in Judaism, Christianity and Islam’ (Karen Armstrong) - Recorded with ID Audio for Harper Collins, 2020

The Battle for God is original in its thesis and in its understanding; as a history of religious ideas it is fascinating, and as an explanation of one of the most destabilising forces at large in the world today it is extraordinary.

‘A History of Jerusalem: One City, Three Faiths’ (Karen Armstrong) - recorded with ID Audio for Harper Collins, 2020

Jerusalem has probably cast more of a spell over the human imagination than any other city in the world. Jerusalem has been celebrated and revered for centuries by Jews, Christians and Muslims. Such is the symbolic power of this ancient city that its future status poses a major obstacle to a comprehensive regional peace in the Middle East.

‘Simmering Season’ (Jenn J. McLeod) - Recorded with Isis Audio for Isis Publishing, 2020

Maggie is back in Calingarry Crossing trying to sell the family pub, while also dealing with a restless seventeen-year-old son, a father with dementia, a fame-obsessed musician husband back in the city, and a dwindling bank account. The last thing she needs is a surprise houseguest for the summer.

‘You and Me -The Neuroscience of Identity’ (Susan Greenfield) - recorded for Audible Studios, 2018

What is it that makes you distinct from me? Identity is a term much used but hard to define. For that very reason, it has long been a topic of fascination for philosophers but has been regarded with aversion by neuroscientists - until now.

‘Da Vinci's Last Commission: The Most Sensational Detective Story in the History of Art’ (Fiona McLaren) - recorded with AudioGo Ltd

Imagine you have an old painting, a Madonna and Child, that has been in your family for years. It is beautiful, serene and spellbinding. It hangs on your wall and for a long time you take it for granted. But curiosity to know more about it gradually grows until it becomes irresistible.

Audiobooks