Anybody who watches the Saturday night PBS sitcoms (or “Britcoms”) will immediately recognize the voice of Richard Bucket from “Keeping Up Appearances”--hardly the narrator you would expect to be reading such fine literary fiction! But since Margaret Drabble’s prose is often more acerbic than eloquent, the straightforward narration seems surprisingly appropriate. Less appropriate are the domestic scenes that are the heart of this complex novel about a contemporary British family at risk. Since the narrator doesn’t try to distinguish one person from another--even the aging and eccentric matriarch who is the witch of the title--it’s at first baffling to follow the dialogue. But eventually the characters become so familiar and the plot so compelling that the undramatic voice of Clive Swift becomes comfortably familiar.
Pub Date: 1998
Duration: 11 hrs, 15 mins
Publisher: ISIS Audio Books
Review Posted Online: Jan. 22, 2026
Escape on a thrilling adventure with Soneela Nankani and Andrew Eiden as they narrate this suspenseful romance. A year has passed since Simi Chopra, her assorted crew, and Jack Danger pulled off a lucrative diamond heist. Now, the Chicago Mafia boss is demanding that the jewels be returned, so Simi gets the team back together. Nankani delivers an expressive performance that emphasizes Simi's conflict between her passion for Jack and the mission. Her distinct character voices keep the listener fully immersed. Eiden's lively tone gives Jack a subtle flair and confidence that make him easy to forgive and to love.
Pub Date: 2024
Duration: 11 hrs, 15 mins
DD ISBN: 9780593907467
Publisher: Penguin Audio
Review Posted Online: Jan. 22, 2026
This is not a story about guns, but about blue pearls. Gerald Browne takes us to the Pacific Ocean and the world of pearl divers and natural gems and mixes in mystery, intrigue and suspense. Barry Bostwick portrays the characters in one voice, varying his intonation slightly for the Asian personalities. His reading style is very smooth, evidence of preparation and interest in the story. 18mm Blues is abridged well, collecting the important elements of the story. Unobtrusive music indicates the end of each side. Disappear into the mystery of the Far East and one of its most beautiful commodities.
Pub Date: 1993
Duration: 3 hrs
Publisher: Audio Renaissance
Review Posted Online: Jan. 22, 2026
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