Clare

I was not expecting to enjoy this as much as I did. I am keen on local politics and thought that would be the hook for me, but I was totally caught up with the characters. Never before have I found myself listening to a book at 3:30 in the morning, unable to “put it down”.

This is not a Harry Potter grows up book. It is more like a modern Thomas Hardy book. Set in a bucolic English scene, with a harsh underbelly (a picturesque village with an adjoining, socially deprived, housing estate). And in keeping with some of the characters be warned there is lots of strong language (f*** is used frequently as a noun, adjective, verb, etc.)

This book can be bleak, depressing and gritty. There are times I was desperate for a lift to the unrelenting misery. There are some comedic touches, but of a very dark humour. The descriptive passages (and there are lots of them) vary from deft, to heavy, to thought provoking.

The narration was extremely good. I think I would have struggled reading this, especially with some of the colloquial argot, which with Tom Hollander had no problem smoothly narrating.

Marion Chesney is one of the earlier authors of the Regency Romance genre. I do enjoy how she melds romance and historical accuracy, and this novel contains more than a few gems of historical domestic living.

Her plots are simple and light 'feel good' fare, but definitely entertaining . I have listened to all the Poor Relation series, and believe this novel a notch above those. I feel that I have found a bit of a winner here (a book, that like most of my Heyer books, I will wish to hear again).

The narration is clear and enjoyable, and I did like the narrator’s gentle Irish accents.

The plot is simple, a family of six beautiful (but self centered and haughty) girls living in opulence with their parents, are suddenly in straitened circumstances. The family scheme to enable their old mansion to be returned to them – even to the extent of her parents and sisters encouraging the eldest sister to court the attentions of an intolerable bachelor. It is a slim volume, and a quick read. The story is fast paced.

My one complaint, why doesn’t Audible have the rest of the series?

It starts with a BBC quiz, I thought I had downloaded the wrong program. There is no intro at all. I have the impression that this is the 3rd disc of a 3 CD set.

It has a longish, comedic (?) audio drama "Whatever Happened to Susan". Would be interesting to those that know the first Doctor stories, but are willing overlook the inconsistencies in the drama.

There are some TV interviews with Lalla Ward and there is a bizarre interview with Mary Tamm and Tom Baker by some English current affairs program (where the companions are referred to as 'handmaidens' by the interviewer and I don't think he was being funny).

Radio comedy sketches, that are very dated, are included. I suspect I am lacking the 80s cultural references to understand of the humour. It repeats the John Nathan Turner interview from Vol 1 (did it need repeating?)

I love Doctor Who, and delighted in Vol. 1, but found this volume intensely boring/irritating.

Sixth and last installment of the Poor Relation Series. Set in the Regency period.

Another light, entertaining novel. All loose ends are tied up nicely - and Lady Fortescue finally chooses between her swains.

The main story is another transformative one (shy, but titled, depressed rustic ends up a charming, and happily poised Lady).

The narration is, as ever, wonderful.

First documentary is presented by Nicholas Courtney, (the Brigadier) and includes interviews by early key figures (including Verity Lambert and Terry Nation) in celebration of Thirty Years of Doctor Who (1993). Sound quality is a bit patchy - some interviews sounded like they were conducted by telephone (Frazer Hines). However, it was chock full of interesting anecdotes about the early days of Who.

The Second one is presented by Lis Sladen (Sarah Jane Smith) and celebrates Forty Years of Doctor Who (2003). Includes a bit more on why Doctor Who is so popular and includes interviews with the likes of Douglas Adams, John Pertwee, Tom Baker etc. The last 20 minutes includes two or three short skits – the Doctor phoning Directory Enquiries asking for the Master was quite wonderful.

Both these Radio documentaries were made and aired during the “wilderness years” when Doctor Who was no longer being filmed by the BBC.

As a Who aficionado I really enjoyed this download and it was a treat to hear the presenters, both of which have recently passed away – hence the high rating.

Stumbled on this book last week, downloaded on a whim. One of the best audio purchases I have ever made.

The book has a very refreshing, unique, complicated premise. It is not the Grandfather paradox – it is more immediate – if you kill a different year’s version of yourself, what happens to your future ‘selves’?

The first half of the book is a race to escape within a nightmarish, claustrophobic scenario, where all the characters are the main protagonists at different ages, where one is a murderer, and one may, over the months, age to become the murder victim. The second half of the book takes its time to linger on events and the results of ones' actions. I was not sure how it could end - but the closing two scenes were pleasingly well done.

If you like a twisty puzzle of a book, set in a dystopian future with an element of time travel you will find this book extremely interesting.

Narration was perfect.

Dan Abnett is a superior Whovian author and this is the best of the David Tennant narrated pieces I have heard so far. His narrator voice is a very gentle Scottish accent, which makes it so easy to tell when he is being "The Doctor".

Enjoyable novella.

Highly recommend it.

Narration is excellent.

The characters are very loveable (cute even). The sheltered Kitty has a very generous nature that gets her into scrapes that her faux swain has to extricate her from. The hero (which I won't name, as initially it is unclear who is the hero is to be) is not the usual Heyer main male character (so, not arrogant or "top lofty". Quite a treat really).

A gentle book, that has become a firm favourite. The narration definitely lifts it.

If this was an episode this would be a Doctor "lite" story, where we do not see much of the Doctor (and hardly any of the Ponds either). (And example of a Doctor-lite story is Blink, and in this story instead of not blinking, it is best not to stare....)

This rather well done, interesting and intelligent story is told from the point of view of a character who meets the Doctor at different stages of her adult life. As she has never met or heard of the Doctor it is interesting to see what she makes of him.

Can say anything else without being spoilerish. There are some nice, non intrusive sound effects. Narration is top notch.

Definitely one of the better audio Who stories I have heard.

This book takes place between a Civil Campaign and Cyroburn. This was the first time I heard a Lois McMaster Bujold book before reading it. I think that added to the enjoyment, as I rather liked hearing the humour. I really like seeing a complete novel mostly from Ivan's POV. We have increasingly had hints that he is less of a lout and has a finely honed judgement of people's characters and motivations, and this is borne out by his actions in this novel.

The usual Bujold tropes of identity, honour and loyalty are delightfully explored in this romance/ espionage /action novel.

I think this book is better than Cryoburn, but not as good as her top notch books in this universe such as Memory or Mirror Dance. The last 3 or so chapters were a blast, but I felt the epilogue tied up too many ends, and I not sure about the final career path being hinted at for Ivan.

If you a fan of the series I thoroughly recommend the download. Oh, and Miles only makes a short (ahem) appearance (a shame as I was looking forward to seeing more of the Ivan as the Miles foil).

Third installment of the Poor Relation Series. Set in the Regency period. Some nice period details sprinkled in the novel. This series of novels are light, entertaining reads. Regency without the bodice ripping.

As before the main romance is almost relegated to a subplot as the lives, hopes and dreams of the other characters were explored. Gentle humour, pleasantly entertaining.

The narration is, as ever, stunningly good.