VILLAGE SECRETS

Shaw's series concerns the British country village of Turnham Malpas. In this installment the school gets a new headmaster, who brings new ideas that come as a shock to some of the teachers and residents. Anne Cater creates likable and thoughtfully rendered characters from scanty material. Her excellent timing moves the story along smoothly and helps enrich thin moments in the plot. It turns out there's witchcraft afoot, and it's up to Rector Peter Harris to save the village. This Gothic touch might have been more fun without the author's obvious distaste for the "new age." Still, memorable characters and superb narration make this worth a listen. D.G. © AudioFile 2002, Portland, Maine [Published: OCT/ NOV 02]