February 2005 Audiobook Reviews

Right Ho, Jeeves
by P.G. Wodehouse, Ian Carmichael

The Audio Partners

ISBN# 1-5727-0423-3
Suggested Retail Price: $29.95 or as low as $19.71 from Amazon.com!

I am always and eternally a fan of the humor and wit of Woodehouse. I like Jeeves and Wooster in any form and with any good reader. This reader Jonathan Cecil does a splended job of reproducing the voice of all the characters that Woodehouse invented and wrote clever and mixed-up tales about. Jeeves. The perfect butler, and Bertie Wooster, who is a fine example of an upper-class wealthy young man who doesn't work and has some of the silliest friend ever written about. You will meet Bertie's friend, Gussie Fink-Nottle who appears in many of the tales. Also here is the lovely Madeline Bassette who has been engaged to Bertie and still is most anxious to marry anyone. So after fighting with Gussie she pursues Bertie. Things and people get all mixed up and into a lot of hilarious situations.

If you have not become acquainted with the Woodehouse humor as yet this is a wonderful way to enjoy his words and the character he brings to life in an earlier time in England when money got you into good clubs and goods where were you played, drank and generally fooled around.

Trace
by Patricia Cornwell

Penguin Audio

ISBN# 0-1428-0086-4
Suggested Retail Price: $19.95 or as low as $3.00 from Amazon.com!

We all know Cornwell's most famous character Kay Scarpetta, who is a noted medical examiner. She's been called back to Richmond by the city that fired her. This time they are requesting that she investigate the suspicious death of a fourteen-year-old female. The girl was murdered in her own bedroom. Scarpetta and her gruff and caring side-kick, the former police Officer Peter Marino is always at her side, investigate this increasingly dangerous investigation.

It's a good puzzle, and of course, this pair along with Scapetta's boyfriend and her niece finally trace the truth and the killer.

Cornwell and her character, Scarpetta will always bring you a terrifying mystery and a dangerous pursuit.

Cat Who Went Bananas
by Lilian Jackson Braun

Penguin Audio

ISBN# 0-1428-0083-X
Suggested Retail Price: $25.95 or as low as $14.94 from Amazon.com!

The amazing Lillian Jackson Braun has written twenty-seven "Cat Who" novels and three short story collections. By now her fans know and love these clever Siamese kitties. This time out, KoKo has been acting very oddly about the newest person to arrive in Pickax, where Quill is a famous and courtly citizen. There is a new bookstore in the city, and it's the time of a festival that involves the whole town. All of the usual characters are here, and of course, there is a suspicious death and the theft of a rare book. Its a worthy addition to this popular mystery series and this is a fine audiobook production.

Tales of the Alhambra
by Washington Irving, Ralph Cosham

Blackstone Audiobooks

ISBN# 0-7861-8582-1
Suggested Retail Price: $32.95 or as low as $21.66 from Amazon.com!

Washington Irving wrote this tale in 1831 and it is a gem in audiobook form. Irving, who is best known for Headless Horsemen and sleeping Rip Van Winkle, wrote a description of this beautiful castle that was built at the height of the Moorish civilization. Next time you hear the music of Granda, you will remember this tour of the historical realities and medieval myths that surround the mysteries of this artistic history. You will learn about the secret chambers and the great battles that occurred and left in it's wake palace ghosts and lovely gardens. The music is the perfect accompaniment and features Spanish guitars.

This great audiobook is a find. Something different and filled with pleasure to enjoy. It is also packaged most uniquely in a small binder type case, which is handsome and sensible.

It's history and music put together told with haunting ghosts and battles that contributed to the fame of the Alhambra.

Ballet Shoes
by Noel Streatfeild, Elizabeth Sastre

Imagination Studio

ISBN# 1-4000-9139-X
Suggested Retail Price: $26.00 or as low as $16.00 from Amazon.com!

Three young people join the Children's Academy of Dancing and Stage Training. They have little idea of how difficult it will be. After a lot of hard work, they are launched into the glare of the spotlight, and all the time there is practice, practice, practice. This charming tale is an introduction to the hard work that ballerinas put into learning their art.

The author was recently nominated for a Barrymore award for her performance in the title role in Camila. She is a talented performer herself and a successful writer.

London Bridges
by James Patterson, Denis O'Hare, Peter J. Fernandez

Little, Brown Adult

ISBN# 1-5862-1712-7
Suggested Retail Price: $39.98 or as low as $11.50 from Amazon.com!

A disaster in a small city in the United States has occurred. A firebomb was ignited by an unknown person now other cities know that they are also targets for these kinds of murderous attacks. A high ransom has been demanded if the country wants to save these towns and stop the deaths. The FBI, CIA and Interpol all join forces to find the perpetrator and save the world from havoc. Agent Alex Cross heads up the investigation and he is surprised to find an old nemesis at some of the bombing sites. The hunt is dangerous and the conclusion could be disastrous if Cross cannot discover this source and the elusive character from his past.

Of course it's an exciting tale. Alex Cross is one of my favorites readers of this type of adventure.