Ulysses Moore: The Door to Time

Young listeners looking for a mysterious, slightly spooky adventure will have no qualms about following Page's assured lead into this fast-paced story, the first in a series. Kids will be sucked in by the initial tracks here, on which American editor Michael Merryweather has supposedly left an answering machine message for the publisher describing his dangerous efforts to find the elusive works of British author Ulysses Moore. The tale that follows is purportedly the translation of a Moore manuscript that appeared on Merryweather's doorstep, and was written in code. Eleven-year-old twins Julia and Jason Covenant and their family move into a mansion on the wild southwest coast of England and soon learn there's more to the estate—which was formerly owned by eccentric Ulysses Moore—than they had ever expected. Julia, Jason and their new friend Rick do some exploring and come upon doors and passageways with unknown secrets, surprises (and dangers?) lurking behind them. This set-up is a perfect dose of intrigue for listeners, and Page gives the proceedings just the right suspenseful-yet-inviting tone. Ages 10-up. (Jan.)