CRIMSON SHORE

Rene Auberjonois gives a clear, measured performance as mysterious FBI Special Agent A.X.L. Pendergast and his equally mysterious ward, Constance Greene, leave Manhattan to investigate dark secrets on the coast of Massachusetts. The theft of a collection of red wine becomes a series of sanguinary mysteries. Masters of the thriller Preston and Child write a compelling story as their unflappable protagonists uncover a mix of dark human motives and events that border on the supernatural. Auberjonois's crisp tenor carries the story. While minor characters blend together, his main characters have distinct voices. Consistent with the story's tone, his delivery approaches melodrama but rarely overdoes it. A must for devotees of the series. F.C. © AudioFile 2015, Portland, Maine [Published: OCTOBER 2015]