HOGFATHER

A special kind of touch is needed for a story about supernatural assassins out to kill a jolly character in a red suit who brings presents once a year. That's especially true if the target is not Santa, but an alternate-universe character called the Hogfather. Both author Terry Pratchett and reader Tony Robinson (the sidekick on TV's "Blackadder") have that touch. Robinson effectively delivers Pratchett's offbeat, humorous prose and creates convincing voices for a cast that includes Death, his daughter, the Ogod of Hangovers, and the assassin Mr. Teatime. The twists and turns of the plot move a bit too fast in this abridged reading, making one wish this had been a six-hour production, but this is still an enjoyable listen. J.S. © AudioFile 2000, Portland, Maine [Published: DEC/JAN 01]