THE ARRAIGNMENT

William Dufris, an outstanding narrator, pours empathy and a unique style into his characterizations. Lawyer/detective Paul Madriani, a well-developed, thoughtful hero, hears as a fellow lawyer, the outrageous Nick Rush, is fatally shot outside the courthouse in San Diego. Madriani uncovers a sordid tale in attempting to find out who killed Nick and why. Dufris develops vocal characterizations for the various greedy lowlifes, police detectives, ex-wives, and lawyers. The heart of the mystery involves Colombia--not drugs, as one might expect, but priceless pre-Columbian art--and leads Madriani to Cancún and Guatemala. Dufris handles both the twisted, action-packed plot and the accents with finesse, using pauses and vocal shifts effectively. A legal mystery par excellence. S.C.A. (c) AudioFile 2003, Portland, Maine [Published: AUG/SEP 03]