A GIFT OF MAGIC lacks the suspense Lois Duncan has become so well known for. At the opening of the story, a grandmother bequeaths each of her grandchildren a special gift: Kirby has the gift of dance; Nancy, the gift of ESP; and Brendan, the gift of music. Nancy’s magical gift is the catalyst for the action and suspense in this story, but narrator Casey Holloway never fully delivers the goose bumps. Her voice has little modulation, so there’s no chance for the suspense to build. Further, the characters, especially Nancy, are selfish, arrogant, and mean spirited. As she copes with the author’s unappealing characters and stilted language, Holloway is unable to bring the story to life.
Young AdultPub Date: June 19, 2012
Duration: 7 hrs, 30 mins
DD ISBN: 9781609417987
Publisher: Hachette 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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