Though he brings Hammond Innes's popular classic to life in a dignified manner, reader David Rintoul doesn't hold back on the drama and emotion when they're called for. Rintoul sees to it that listeners are drawn in by the story of Englishman Bruce Wetheral, a mid-level bureaucrat given a death sentence by his doctor, just as he inherits a tract of land across the Atlantic Ocean in the Canadian Rockies. As Wetheral decides to spend his last months trying to realize his grandfather's dream of finding oil on the land, much to the consternation of local businesses who want to flood the area for their own short-sighted purposes, Rintoul's rich, clear tones effectively underscore the drama as it unfolds. This is an intelligent adventure story nicely paired with an intelligent, lively performance.
Pub Date: Jan. 22, 2000
Duration: 9 hrs, 30 mins
Publisher: BBC Audiobooks America/ Chivers
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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