THE OLD GIRLS' NETWORK

Patience Tomlinson captures the simple charm of the English village of Winsley Green. Listeners will meet two 70-something sisters--friendly, easygoing Pauline Pye and uptight, humorless Barbara Harvey--who comes to recuperate with her sister after a health scare. Tomlinson excels with inner thoughts, splendid accents, and making conversations feel inclusive. While driving, Pye knocks down Bisto Mulligan, who appears to be a drunken vagrant, and she offers to minister to him. Tomlinson's Mulligan, her best creation, turns everything upside down--in a good way--with his Irish blarney, wit, and hidden depth. Audio is the best option for joining these village activities and meeting kindly vicar Chrissie Drake; dishy, gay Kostos; single mom Tessy Johnson; and 75-year-old suitor Len Chatford. S.G.B. Winner of AudioFile Earphones Award © AudioFile 2020, Portland, Maine [Published: OCTOBER 2020]