Move over, Edgar Allan Poe, Lemony Snicket, and even Neil Gaiman—let Chris Priestley sit in the inner circle of storytellers of spine-tingling tales. Bill Wallis's brilliant performance brings this work to American listeners with enduring shivers. You'll not soon forget the stories within the story—told to young Edgar at his Uncle Montague's house, where it's always cold, inside and out, and the leaves along the forest walk always seem dead. Wallis has total control of the silence of a pause, the sudden sound of a knock, or Uncle Montague's terrifying chuckle. His deep rumbling baritone can also be amazingly light and convincing. Brave listeners young and old will fully appreciate this listening treasure.
Ages 10+Pub Date: Jan. 22, 2008
Duration: 5 hrs, 15 mins
Publisher: BBC Audiobooks America
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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