WHILE WE WERE WATCHING DOWNTON ABBEY

Narrator Orlagh Cassidy's interpretation of this charming story about friendship, loyalty, and self-discovery is near perfect. Listeners don’t have to be familiar with “Downton Abbey” to enjoy this contemporary novel about how three very different women form a lasting friendship that helps them through a time of change and growth. Cassidy’s soothing, expressive voice enchants from the opening minutes, and her consistent, spot-on characterizations of both men and women keep one engaged to the last second. Her manipulation of pacing and tone transports listeners smoothly from the laugh-out-loud scenes to the more sober moments in the characters' lives. She masterfully transitions between the Southern and British accents, and her rendition of one woman's poor attempt at a Cockney accent is delightful. C.B.L. Winner of AudioFile Earphones Award © AudioFile 2013, Portland, Maine [Published: JUNE 2013]