Patricia Rodriguez



As an actor, it makes such a difference when books are driven by great characters, and my last few months were brimming with them. Thank you Gollancz and Orion Audio for entrusting me with narrating sci-fi legend Stephen Baxter’s latest, a meditation on the horrors of slavery, that I found profoundly affecting. 

I have the privilege of narrating a number of book series, and 2 of my favourites just had new releases: Kim Griswell’s hilarious & heartwarming Death in the Haunted Wood, and the latest in the excellent Emily Ray series by actor turned writer Michele Dominguez Greene, who you might remember from L.A. Law’s first Prime Time same-sex kiss. Both have characters that are a joy to bring to life.

And I love working with women directors at the top of their game – With powerhouse Kirsty Gillmore at the helm, I get to call the shots as a military commander in the VR title, Titan Isles, out now.

You can’t tell from the photo but I am a polar bear – along with a menagerie of other animals guided expertly by doyenne Gabrielle Moleta. I’ve been rekindling my love affair with physical theatre lately, in the company of some wonderful theatre makers and teachers.

Alongside my work coaching a lovely private client, I have been recording audiobooks non-stop . Amongst them, New York Times bestseller Money Lies and God – the most zeitgeist book I have ever narrated. Katherine Stewart‘s searing account of the rise of the current US government. It is angry, informative, and glimmers with hope.

It’s been a busy season: 6 books I narrated were released this month!

My Missing Daughter – a riotous adventure full of zeitgeist social media posts, well-intentioned misadventure, teenage angst and twists. It’s a great read, I hope I’ve done it justice. 

Their Frozen Bones, the 23rd Kane and Alton book – your devotion to your craft is seriously impressive DK Hood, I don’t know how you keep divining fresh new plots!

I always enjoy the challenge of picking up a series part way along – Wendy Dranfield’s The Crying Girls was the 8th in her series, and my first.

Erin Luken’s This Dark Paradise is a fantasy YA novel that’s dreamy and seductive, and was a joy to narrate.

I love narrating books that broaden my mind – I got that in spades from 2 non-fiction titles, The Elements of Marie Curie by bestselling author Dava Sobel, and Africonomics by Cambridge professor Bronwen Everill.

And finally, my love of performance was born in the theatre – so spending a weekend as a goat with Animal work maestro Gabrielle Moleta was divine. What transcending, meditative work – thank you Gabrielle.

This month I did something I’ve never done before – I ran a marathon! The Zurich Marathon was tricksy, with its 2 degrees outside and driving snow, but I managed to finish, injury-free, and actually crazily keen to do another. Best of all, thanks to my amazing friends and family, over £1000 was raised for the mental health charity Mind. 

I do love narrating kids books – especially when they highlight 101 Awesome Women Who Changed Our World! 

I loved working with the fabulous Frances Loy on Sony’s Stellar Blade – chuffed that my all-knowing computer voice made it onto the trailer.

And when not running or behind the mic, I’ve been busy performance coaching. This month we kicked off Speakers’ Lab with Washington DC’s 15 Minutes Group: 4 weekly sessions jam-packed with the dos and don’ts of great public speaking, real-time feedback on how to improve how you come across, and lots of opportunities to practice. Best of all, I get to work with the brilliantly talented Tracey Madigan, and terrific programme admin Laura Latendresse. 

The 20th title in the Kane and Alton series that I narrate is out this month. It’s a real treat to spend years immersed in the same characters and their world – huge congratulations to DK Hood on the enduring success of her books. To celebrate her 10th title, I’ll be part of a Facebook Live event at 11am on 11th October (also available to watch after the date!). Author DK Hood and I will be answering questions about our processes of bringing the series to life. Feel free to join us!

It was hard saying goodbye to Becky Chambers’ brilliantly humane Wayfarers series, having narrated all four books, as well as her stand-alone novella. But I’ve been having a blast voicing a new sci-fi series, Refractions, by MV Melcer. Set in the ecological and political fall out from climate change, it is filled with messages of tolerance, acceptance, and hope. For fans of Becky Chambers’ novels, this one is worth a look (and listen!). Refractions: Book 1 comes out on 16th November – which happens to be my birthday!

It’s been way too long since my last update – it’s been a busy time. I’ve been out & about voicing lots of ADR including the latest season of Black Mirror, The First Lady & The Power, and working with the wonderful Frances Loy at Molinare on a top secret game for Sony – watch this space…

I’m proud to have given voice to lots of audiobooks in my home studio, including Claire Horn’s timely exploration of how reproductive justice intersects ectogenesis – Eve.

And finally, this post marks the relaunch of my website – I’m moving it over to WordPress to allow me more hands-on access. I’m extremely proud of the revamp, and hugely indebted to the legend that is Lara Taylor for her vision, patience, and generosity in bringing it to life. Please do let me know what you like about it, and what you think could work better!