The free way in · Powered by your public library
Our whole catalog goes to hoopla, the borrowing service thousands of public libraries already offer. If yours is one of them, you can borrow our audiobooks and ebooks in a couple of minutes, at no cost, with no waitlist and no late fees. Here's exactly how.
First, the short version
hoopla is a digital service that lets you borrow audiobooks, ebooks, movies, music, and comics straight to your phone, tablet, computer, or TV. It's paid for by your library, so for you it's free. Most titles are available the instant you want them: no holds, no waitlists, nothing to return by hand. When your loan ends, the title simply returns itself.
There's one thing worth knowing up front. Your library covers a set number of hoopla borrows for you each month — the number is the library's call, often anywhere from a few to a dozen or more — and it resets on the first. So it's smart to spend those borrows on things you can only get here. Which, happily, is exactly where our editions live.
Start to finish
If you already have a library card and the app, you're really only doing steps four through six. The whole thing takes about two minutes.
If you don't already have one, this is the only real requirement, and it's free. Most public libraries across the US, Canada, Australia, and New Zealand let you sign up in person, and many let you register online in a few minutes. Not sure your library offers hoopla? You'll find out in step three, or you can just ask a librarian.
On a phone or tablet, download the free hoopla app from your app store. On a computer, go to hoopladigital.com. It also runs on most streaming devices, including Roku, Amazon Fire TV, Apple TV, and Chromecast.
Sign up with an email and password, then find your library from the list or by entering your zip or postal code. Enter your library card number and PIN to link the card. That's the part that unlocks everything.
Use the search bar and type the title you want, or search Rogues & Detectives to see the whole series in one place. The moment a title launches, it's on hoopla and ready to borrow.
Open the title and press the Borrow button. Most titles are available instantly. The borrow counts toward your monthly total, and you'll see how many you have left right in the app.
Start streaming right away, or download it in the app to enjoy offline. Audiobooks and ebooks usually stay on your device for around three weeks, then return themselves automatically. No due-date runs, no fines, ever.
Most of our titles come in two versions on hoopla: the Annotated Edition, with a historian's commentary woven in, and the Reading Edition, the pure unabridged narration. Both borrow exactly the same way. Pick whichever mood you're in.
Good to know
Unlike a lot of library apps, hoopla titles are almost always available the second you want them. No holds, no queue, no "you're number nine of twelve."
Your loan returns itself when the time is up. There is nothing to bring back and no fine to pay. You literally cannot be late.
Your library gives you a set number of borrows each month, and it resets on the first. Save them for titles you can't stream anywhere else, like ours.
Phone, tablet, laptop, or television. Downloads for offline listening happen in the mobile app, so grab the app if you travel or commute.
Now the fun part
Start with the Rogues & Detectives series, then subscribe on Substack so you know the moment a new title lands on hoopla.
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