You might think audiobooks are a simple matters of an author or an actor reading the words on the page, but you'd be wrong.

Often, they are feats of innovation and creativity that rival film or TV, from newly composed music to special recordings of the natural world.

Here are some of the more surprising recordings from Penguin Random House for you to download and enjoy.

Incredible 3D sound

An improvised surprise

An immersive thriller – with behind-the-scenes detail

A historic conversation brought back to life

A musical audiobook debut

A fictional rock band brought to life

The sounds of nature

Recorded on location