UNDER THE INFLUENCE

A disappointed alcoholic tells of his own hair-raising adventure in which he and some chums get mixed up with a stolen Vermeer painting. Also heroin smuggling, sordid sexual escapades, rock music, the British contemporary arts scene, and high society. The author wants us to know that his protagonist is not a bad sort, really, despite his numerous flaws, but he doesn't quite convince. He succeeds better with his verbal jabs at various societal flaws and at keeping us riveted, at least until he launches a hackneyed, unbelievable denouement. Narrator David Tarkenter delivers the humor dryly, the characters vividly, and the derring-do with restraint. Y.R. © AudioFile 2003, Portland, Maine [Published: APR/MAY 03]