Terence Aselford and cast pour atmosphere and empathy into this warmly human story set in West Texas in the 1980s. Wes Hendricks is a crusty 77-year-old rancher who loves his land and his animals. He refuses to sell out to those who want his property: developers; his grandson, Jim Ed; and a charismatic cowgirl named Glory B., who is Jim Ed’s love interest. The myriad sound effects and mellow accompanying music blend to form a strong production. In the same way, the story harmoniously brings together Wes’s traditional life on the land and Jim Ed and Glory B.’s innovations in ranching. The theme is the generation gap, and (spoiler alert!) a wonderful compromise is realized in the end. Listeners will enjoy the emotional roller-coaster ride.
Pub Date: 2013
Duration: 7 hrs
Publisher: GraphicAudio
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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