They feature no cell phones or iPods, but the late Ed McBain's works, which set the bar for police procedurals in the '50s and '60s, still stand the test of time—especially when narrated by Dick Hill. Hill is almost always near the top of his game, and he reads this so exuberantly that you know he's enjoying it as much as you are. The "boys" are Steve Carrella, Detective Hawes, the incomparable Meyer Meyer, and the rest of the cops of the 87th Precinct. In this installment, the boys investigate the story behind a severed hand found by a cop—with its mate discovered soon after. What follows next is some cool detective work and a lot of hilarity. Hill turns on his New York accent like nobody else, and he delivers the plentiful sarcasm with joy in his voice.
Pub Date: April 24, 2012
Duration: 6 hrs
DD ISBN: 9781455873708
Publisher: Brilliance 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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