"Keep your hands down and sit down hard!" That's good advice for horse-loving audiophiles when it comes to this amusing memoir of the author's riding adventures in woodsy Somerset, deep in the heart of English horse country. Another bit of good advice, from the reviewer this time, is, "Turn up the treble; turn down the bass; volume at max, and don't let Dolby near it." The production itself comes through as a bit distant and muffled, but Annie Aldington reads very well. Her rendition of the Somerset country accent is really charming. Her enunciation is crisp, and her voice bright, which helps to compensate for shortcomings at the production level. It's worth the listening effort. MAKING THE HORSE LAUGH will also make the devoted listener laugh, and want to dust off that old riding habit.
Pub Date: Jan. 22, 2000
Duration: 6 hrs, 45 mins
Publisher: ISIS Audio Books /Soundings
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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