BLOOD ORCHID

Author, reader, and abridgment combine to make this a fast-paced listening experience. Chief of Police Holly Barker must find out who is killing prospective Florida real estate buyers and why. Meanwhile two new men enter her life--a suave retiree from New York and a handsome FBI agent masquerading as a prospective buyer. One is obviously a phony--but which one? Alison Fraser moves the action scenes, makes settings visible, and vocally colors supporting characters. She also gets kudos for not choking on some of the romantic repartee. Holly, like Woods's other continuing hero, Stone Barrington, is too good to be true, but if you like mystery capers, this is for you. J.B.G. (c) AudioFile 2003, Portland, Maine [Published: JUN/JUL 03]