THE FARNSWORTH SCORE

Rex Burns's story of a drug sting gone awry involves characters with larger-than-life nicknames. Charlton Griffin portrays snitch "Bruce the Juice" with deep-throated, guttural sounds. His switch to "Fat Willy," a south-of-the-border mobster, is abrupt, but seamless. Undercover junkie Detective Gabe Wager learns there is no honor among thieves, and little sympathy either, as he schemes to keep his cover when bullets fly. Griffin depicts Mexican and Deep Southern slang with style. His portrayal of the whiny and despicable Wager is excellent. However, the story itself does not live up to its promise. The story is thin, the characters undeveloped, and even the street language comes across as silly. G.D.W. (c) AudioFile 2003, Portland, Maine [Published: DEC 03/JAN 04]