St. Vincent Halfhyde, recently separated from Her Majesty's Royal Navy, becomes the owner/master of the steamer TARONGA PARK, the first commercial vessel in the Halfhyde Line. In Victorian time, when coal-burning tramp steamers had replaced sleek clipper ships, Halfhyde's maiden voyage from Australia to Ireland was far from routine. Severe storms and other dangers were commonplace as pre-Panama Canal sailors rounded Cape Horn. But when his cargo of machine parts turns out to be guns for the rebels in the West of Ireland, and the gun-running cargo owner boards in the Pacific and takes over the TARONGA PARK, only Halfhyde's grim determination to prevail carries the day. Reader Christopher Scott's fluid presentation and very British narration lend an appropriate atmosphere to this story. His comfortable pace and crisp vocal characterizations top off an all-around fine job. The writer, reader, and subject blend into a stimulating listening experience.
Pub Date: Jan. 22, 2001
Duration: 7 hrs
Publisher: ISIS Audio Books /Soundings
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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