When Ellen wakes up on her 10th birthday, she finds a silver crown on the pillow next to her head. Assuming it's a present, she takes it, goes to the park, and comes back to find her house burned down and her family presumed dead. Thus begin Ellen's adventures as she tries to evade the green-hooded men who pursue her until she finds sanctuary with her aunt in Kentucky. Alyssa Bresnahan reads with her usual assurance, portraying Ellen as a convincing and capable girl caught in extraordinary circumstances. Bresnahan lends other characters subtly distinctive voices, helping the listener keep the characters straight while not distracting from the text. This is not one of O'Brien's strongest offerings, but it makes for a satisfying listen. A.F.
(c) AudioFile 2004, Portland, Maine
Pub Date: Jan. 22, 2003
Duration: 7 hrs, 45 mins
Publisher: Recorded Books Inc.
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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