Horse Pie
by Dick King-Smith (Doubleday, 1993); audiobook read by Andrew Sachs (Bolinda, 2014)
Dick King-Smith knew his animals and knew how to write for children, crafting a gentle middle grade story of an old donkey whose morals save the day. Andrew Sachs pitches his reading nicely, bringing distinct personality to horses, donkey and humans alike.
Doctor Who: The Jade Pyramid
by Martin Day (BBC Audio, 2010)
More a straightforward short story than novel, and with a production crackle marring Matt Smith’s suitably Doctor-esque flittering consciousness narration, this audiobook nevertheless stands out for its atypical Who setting (mediaeval Japan) and the uncommon, almost poetic refinement of Martin Day’s prose.
Doctor Who: The Day of the Troll
by Simon Messingham (BBC Audio, 2009)
David Tennant narrates in his Scottish accent and plays the Doctor very much as per tv, bringing authenticity and complementary zest to this typically grim, typically compelling Simon Messingham novel, available (atypically) only in audio format. Something is lurking under the bridge…