Perry's Inspector Pitt novels are steeped in a meticulous, if somewhat grim, Victorian atmosphere. In this society, aristocratic parents can flat out refuse to answer police questions when their son's naked, violated body turns up in a London sewer. The frustration felt by the investigating detective as he is thwarted at every turn, not the least by his own superiors, translates to the listener. Add to this the conviction of the wrong person as a cover-up, and the pace seems a bit glacial at times. However, there's no denying Perry's work is true to the time period. And then there's Davina Porter, a performer par excellence. Porter makes the material her own in a way few others can. She gives just the right pitch, accent, and presence to the characters to make them utterly believable. Despite its weight, she moves the story forward and turns in her usual stellar presentation.
Pub Date: Jan. 22, 2002
Duration: 10 hrs, 45 mins
Publisher: Recorded Books/ Clipper Audio
Review Posted Online: Jan. 22, 2026
Reader Michael Prichard delivers a convincing rendition of Archie Goodwin, the burly right hand of the portly Nero Wolfe, world-renowned gourmand and detective. Prichard preserves the 1970s setting and 1950s origins of the story, bringing listeners a well-paced narration of murder and politics--a combination of elements that usually guarantees an exciting listen. This audio entertainment is as well formed and fragrant as one of Wolfe's hothouse orchids (the stout sleuth cultivates them by the hundreds in his town house greenhouse) as Goodwin walks us through an explosive murder investigation and political wheeling and dealing in a tough yet intelligent read.
Pub Date: Jan. 15, 2006
Duration: 5 hrs, 30 mins
Publisher: Audio Partners
Review Posted Online: Jan. 22, 2026
This collection of eight short stories contains gentle tales of fantasy and magic--not the magic of wizards and wands, but of wishing mats and enormous cats and gifts brought by the winds. In a lovely English accent, Lizza Aiken quietly narrates these stories in which magic and good fortune often come to those who deserve it. Although her pitch changes little, she registers a range of emotions--from the sadness of a girl whose necklace of raindrops has been stolen to the joy of a child who moves from a hard life and a ramshackle trailer to a happy home amid the clouds. A NECKLACE OF RAINDROPS would make a soothing choice for a family car trip after a long day.
Ages 6+Pub Date: Jan. 5, 2016
Duration: 1 hr, 45 mins
DD ISBN: 9781101915721
Publisher: Listening Library
Review Posted Online: Jan. 22, 2026
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