Narrator Johnny Heller's fast-paced delivery makes Craig Rice's forties-era genre-bending whodunit more fun than mysterious. Press agent Jake Justus represents popular radio star Nelle Brown, who is being blackmailed by an ex-lover. When Nelle goes to retrieve the incendiary letters, she finds her ex dead. Heller's upbeat narration makes all the characters period-perfect--from Jake's sidekicks, unscrupulous Chicago lawyer John J. Malone and Helene, Jake's love, to the assortment of hard-drinking denizens of the radio world. Malone and Justus rely on old-fashioned detective work--no computers, DNA, or cell phones--yet each time they have a suspect, the suspect turns up dead. Heller splendidly captures every well-crafted plot twist, from disappearing bodies to cheesy disguises, and every corny period wisecrack sprinkled liberally throughout this engaging novel.
Pub Date: Jan. 22, 2020
Duration: 5 hrs, 15 mins
Publisher: Blackstone 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
© Copyright 2026 Kirkus Media LLC. All Rights Reserved.
Follow
Popular in this Genre
We can’t wait for you to join Kirkus!
It’s free and takes less than 10 seconds!
Already have an account? Log in.
OR
Sign in with GoogleTrouble signing in? Retrieve credentials.
Welcome Back!
OR
Sign in with GoogleTrouble signing in? Retrieve credentials.
