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New Year, New Pancakes

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Mod R here, sliding in just before the ball drops.

As we tiptoe toward midnight, we have a very important New Year’s resolution to keep, and we need you to help us with it.

We’re on the hunt for voice actor recommendations for an audiobook role that is very near and dear to the BDH’s heart: Augustine Montgomery aka Pancakes, aka Head of House Montgomery, aka Illusion Prime extraordinaire, best friend of Mad Rogan, mentor to Arabella Baylor, and keeper of very deep secrets.

In case you need visual motivation, I just happened to find some lying around today after Ilona left for her birthday mini-break. It’s New Year’s Eve, restraint is overrated, and sharing is caring. Everybody gets a treat!

Click to enlarge

Hubba DING DONG Hubba!

Specifications for the audio narrator of our Montgomerian dreams:

  • Early to mid-30s
  • Cultured, aristocratic businessman vibes
  • Attractive in a sophisticated assassin type of way, not a musclehead alpha-growly way
  • Range of voices, especially good female voices. Augustine is an Illusion mage and he speaks in character when he changes visage. It has to be believable and natural, Pancakes puts a lot of effort and control into it.

If you’ve ever listened to an audiobook and thought “Wait, how is that even the same person?” — that’s the energy we want to ring in.

The champagne is chilling, the comment section awaits…oh wait, I nearly forgot:

“Augustine?”

“Yes?”

“If I wasn’t there, would you have killed all of them?”

There was a tiny pause before he answered. “It would’ve been bad for business.”

May your 2026 be a year full of joy and good reading!

Reader Interactions

Comments

  2. Happy New Years to the Horde! I agree with Augustine visuals, maybe older? But no recommendations for voice since I’m not an audio book person. However, it needs to be a bit “posh” for lack of a etter word.

  4. I am unsure if he does audio books, but I enjoy Damien Hass’ voice acting in several different things. I also enjoy Kevin Fee’s narration of All Systems Red.

  6. Love the pics … I think they fit my vision of Augustine very well! Yummy! I listen to audiobooks all the time, but no one in particular comes to mind as a good fit.

  7. James Marsters He absolutely ruined audio books for me when he did the Dresden Files. Best voice I have EVER heard.

  13. Wow.. this art is amazing. I did know how much I liked pancakes until this moment. Lol I don’t have recommendations, though, I know you’ll find the right person. Happy new year Mod R, HA (happy birthday!) and BDH!

  14. He’s giving off Clark Kent vibes! Oohlala! Instead of lipstick on his collar he’s got blood.

    Modr, you do know another name for pancakes is Hotcakes?! Lol, thanks for the visuals, can’t wait to hear this audio.

  15. This has made me realize that when Augustine takes on a different appearance he must alter his voice to suit. This is a challenge in an audio book.

  16. I’ve been summoned!
    I will not fail the BDH, for I shall scour the internet for our beloved Panacakes, no socialmedia will be left unturn, all my favorite male narrators weighted and measured!

    sorry I love audiobooks!

  18. In my head I pictured him older than this image – but mid 30s

    Three suggestions I have would be
    Aiden Snow
    Teddy Hamilton
    Adam Gold

    ALSO Kimberly Wetherell – her work narrating Lucy Connelly’s Scottish Isles mysteries is stellar – she does the male & female voices (along with American & Scottish accents).

  19. Jeff Hays, the voice actor for the Dungeon Crawler Carl audiobooks, is unbelievably talented. You would swear that there is a whole cast of people reading, but it’s all him. His female characters are especially convincing. There are YouTube videos of him performing, otherwise I wouldn’t have believed it’s all him. Plus he’s really funny!

  20. Well, I’m not sure it’s possible, but Ray Porter the guy who read Project Hail Mary is always the guy that I think when I think of really well done audiobooks. However, I would also add Steve West – his narration of Hugh’s book was AMAZING and I’m hoping that we get him for the next Hugh book. I will say that Hugh forever will sound like Steve West in my head (although Graphics Audio was great). However his switch between all the different characters were awesome. If looking for a female narrator, then I would say Emily Rankin – she was fabulous for the 2nd series of Hidden Legacy.

  22. Okay, this is going to sound nuts, but the reader with the absolute broadest range of voices I’ve ever heard is Jeff Hayes of Soundbooth Theater. He reads Dungeon Crawler Carl and makes the garbage writing of that book into something not just palatable, but wildly enjoyable.

  29. Ian Ferguson is an actor I know from the Midnight Burger narrative podcast, have heard him in several roles on the show doing a beautiful job and the right tenor of voice, I think!

  31. I am so happy that you are looking for voice actor specifically for Augustine! I apologize for not having any ideas, but I am going to run through all the audio books that I can find. I think Augustine should have a lower range cultured voice. I look forward to hearing who you decide on!

  32. I am very hopeful there will soon be a new Hidden Legacy – Arabella’s story. I am also very interested in what may be happening between Augustine and Diana Harrison.

  33. OMG, I’m just besotted with that art of Augustine. Who would have thought he’d be the one for me…? Good luck with the voice actor search.

  34. have you guys considered Jeff Hays from soundbooth theater? DCC is one of my fav audios, and love his range.

  35. I enjoy Alex Knox for his range and attention to detail.

    This must be a cookbook ‘cause Pancakes be cooking!! Not quite the mental picture I had in made up as I read but he fits!

  36. I love PJ Ochlan and he does a good female voice.

    Also, EEP, my Ferret Heist and Chalant t-shirts arrived all the way in Oz yesterday, just in time for NYE!

  37. I had a clear, three step reaction to this visual motivation:

    Wait a sec, Augustine does rumpled?
    He‘s THE illusion Prime. Of course Augustine can do rumpled!
    Wow. Augustine. Does. Rumpled.

    Thanks for that, ModR – and artist Helena Elias. As though I wasn’t already eagerly awaiting the novella before this treat.

    Happy Birthday Ilona! And best wishes for this brand new (Maggie!) year to ModR, HA and the entirety of the wonderfully crazy, cozy, and chalant BDH!

  38. Happy birthday Ilona! Happy new year to all!
    No recs, I think there’s already a great selection mentioned here.

  39. Happy birthday to Ilona and Happy New Year to the Horde 🎊🎉🎊
    hope you all have a very happy 2026

  40. My favorite for a range of voices is Marc Thompson, he’s INSANELY good, but probably usually booked by Star Wars novels unfortunately.

    But – INSANELY. GOOD.

  41. James Marsters who does the Dresden Files is what I could imagine, but I guess he is too expensive? Too well known?

    One reason I thought of him:
    As Augustine can impersonate… JM can do e.g. British accents too (see Spike in Buffy) and also in general different voices

  43. SIMPLY GORGEOUS! HAPPY NEW YEAR! WHAT A WONDERFUL WAY TO START 2026! HAPPY BIRTHDAY ILONA! Enjoy your special day!

  46. I’ve already seen Matthew Mercer mentioned. Based on the parts I have heard him play, I think Taliesin Jaffe could also be a good fit for Augustine.

  48. Jeff Hayes is the best voice actor I’ve ever heard. he does the dungeon crawler Carl books. You’d never believe it was all one person.

  50. Maybe Holter Graham? I am listening to Patricia Briggs alpha and omega books and just yesterday I was thinking, “wait was there a female narrator also?” I couldn’t remember, but then realized it was just him. His voice is really pleasant to listen to and I get lost on the story instead of trying to figure out some words or if it is too soft, which happens a lot in books where the male is harder to understand.

  51. Robert Petkoff. Best known for his performance as Zidler in Moulin Rouge. But he’s also narrated Kresley Coles entire Immortals After Dark series.

  52. Luke Daniels – I’ve been listening to him do amazing range of accents and personalities in the Iron Druid and Ink & Sigil series – he is amazing!

  54. Years ago you mentioned a book by Forthright. Her audio reader is Travis Baldree. He now has an excellent cozy fantasy series out too. IMO, he’s a very good narrator

  55. Wow, finding a good mimic for Augustine seems like it will be a challenge. The level of thought and consideration is just another reason why the BDH loves House Andrew’s.

  56. I’d like to hear Jon Vertullo as Augustine. I’m sure his Pancakes would be delicious. 😁

  57. Jeff Hayes. This is not Jeff’s usual genre, but he is so versatile at different voices (including multiple, distinct women in the same book) that he’s ruined all other single narrator audiobooks for me.

    I am familiar with Jeff’s work from the Dungeon Crawler Carl series.

  62. oooh…oh my, Pancakes! Who did that incredible artwork? Unfortunately, I haven’t listened to as many books as I’ve read, so I don’t have an opinion for a voice actor. I do agree that the voice of Augustine in the GA adaptations was not as I would have pictured him. It was a little jarring. However, I adore the GA adaptations, and still would not hesitate to purchase a HA audiobook from them. Have been re-visiting the GA Innkeeper books on car rides with my spouse. He loves them too!

    • yes, I kept thinking it was Ghastek from Kate Daniels. Who I think sounds exactly right, but it’s not the way I imagined Montgomery. It was the way he spoke more than the way the voice sounded. I think Pancakes would be very precise and not hurried at all, maybe with a hint of a smirk. Like Glen Powell, smirk face guy.

  63. Travis Baldree? lol I wish, he’s too busy though, I think his list is like 3 years.

    Nick Podehl did a good job with King’s Dark Tidings and Jeff Hays is amazing with Dungeon Crawler Carl.

  64. Love the picture, though I find it highly unlikely that Augustine would go out in public looking all bloody like that when it is simple enough for him to hide it. Can’t wait for the story! Sadly, not having listened to a lot of audio books, I can’t make voice recommendations.

  65. I’ve been amazed with Chris Andrew Ciulla. Not a super young voice, but not an old rasp, either, although he can “do” both. And welcome to 2026…

  66. So this rec may be a bit out of left field & I don’t know if he has the voices range you need, but perhaps investigate Peaches? I just discovered him on IG & I think he at least has a great male voice: @peaches_aka_goochypie ; https://www.just-peaches.com/about .

  69. I’d suggest checking out Eric Fox at ericfoxvox.com. He’s read a few books I liked and did a great job with male and female characters. Two that come to mind are Juniper Bean Resorts to Murder and Of Silver and Shadow.

  71. Well, he’s outside the age range, but James Marsters does amazing work for Jim Butcher’s Dresden Files series. Also- Happy birthday to Ilona and Happy New Year to the Horde!

  72. I don’t listen to audiobooks (I’m unable to listen without taking notes which quite defeats the purpose of audiobooks) but I think I might make an exception for this one…
    Thank you for sharing the absolutely yummy Pancakes, rumpled is a look that works better than Greek god in my humble opinion. I’m totally ace but that pic almost allows me to understand sex-appeal… enough that I’m going to save it in my gallery
    Sharing is caring and you obviously care very much for us all
    Happy new year to everyone and happy birthday to Ilona (hope it’s not too late for those wishes)

  73. luke Daniel’s does the Iron Druid series. I have always been impressed with his range. For voice actors, Sam Reigel and Mathew Mercer are incredible at female and male voices. I’d love to hear Matt as Augustine!!!

    • Now I have an image stuck in my head of Nott the Braves voice coming out of Augustines mouth 🤣

  74. While not meeting every requirement, a friend of mine is an accomplished voice actor (& regular actor & author as well). He has narrated many authors books, including his own with both a male and female lead.

    Nick Sullivan is his name

    For a snippet of his voices. check out his The Deep series of books

  76. I know you’re probably looking for a man, and I don’t know if she’d even be willing to read a book narrated in a mostly male voice, but Lorelei King reads Janet Evanovich’s Stephanie Plum novels, and I swear she’s even better than the one audiobook I paid extra for because it had different readers for different characters. She’s British, but her American accents, even for different regions of the country, are spot on. Good luck! I listen to audiobooks while driving on long trips and while doing housework or working out—it really helps get me through monotonous tasks!

  77. Jeff Hays. That man would be PERFECT.

    I highly doubt he’d be available but…. Dungeon Crawler Carl anyone!?

  78. I do like Jeff Hays for the range of voices, he really sounds completely distinct. Good female voices and ranges in different female voices as well. been listening to him on the dungeon crawler carl deries. don’t know if that’s the sound you are going for tho.

    • also maybe Joel Richards! he did a bunch of T kingfisher stuff, especially the saint of steel series

  80. Jeff Hayes. Amazing range of voices, and my flabbers were fasted when I found out he’s the sole narrator of the Dungeon Crawler Carl books. He’s with Soundbooth Theater.

  83. Tavia Gilbert. She does impeccable male voices and I think she’d nail that specific description of Augustine. I’m sure Jeaniene Frost would be willing to share. 😉

  84. Happy New Year!

    I don’t know if he can do sophisticated or not, but I love Holter Graham’s acting. He’s my favorite male audiobook actor right now.

  86. Holter Graham does a great job narrating, among others, the Patricia Briggs Alpha & Omega books. I see that he is in his early 50s, but he doesn’t sound old (LOL – I’m older than that).

  88. wait is that OG Augustine or Augustine streamlined/altered Augustine!!

    either way very nice, but so curious lol

  89. How about Jeff Hayes? He seems very versatile. You can find reels and longer interviews on YouTube for his multiple voices from Dungeon Crawler Carl.

  91. Dumb question here but…in which book does one meet Augustine?

    I have obviousky not been keeping up with things 😔

  93. I’ve really liked listening to Andrew Tell – he does a fantastic job with a wide range of voices.

  94. Okay so I know this voice actor from his JAFF narrations so a bit off the beaten path here but Harry Frost does an amazing Mr Darcy (and also Mr Bingley and Lydia and Mrs Bennet—you get my drift). Would definitely recommend.

  96. I’ve been looking through my audible catalogue, and didn’t realize how many male narrators have good diversity of masculine voices but not so much for feminine.

    Travis Baldree is one of my faves though I wonder how available he is at the moment.

    I’ve seen people mention Jeff Hayes and Nick Podehl and I agree with them.

    I’ve read a lot of Rachel Aaron so I’ll throw in Vikas Adams, narrator of her Heartstrikers series, and Nicholas Cain who did her Tear Down Heaven series.

  97. I love the art. I’m sort of biased now because I’ve been listening to GA. But when I think cultured, I think Richard Rohan, Gabriel Michael, Rayner Gabriel, or Michael Glenn. Hm or Rob Moreira. Outside of GA, I’m not familiar with a lot of Voice Actors. I’m sure whoever you find will be awesome and I love surprises. 🙂

  100. Fred Berman performs the Unconventional Heroes series by L.G. Estrella (2 Necromancers and…) He has to do a large ensemble and does good snobbish and cultured male and female voices (James and Amanda and other side characters), tho those voices may not show up in the samples provided by Audible.