A WITHOUT HONOR

The first Kirk McGarvey novel hit the shelves in 1989, as the Cold War was ending. At the time, the former Soviet Union was still America's main security concern. This novel follows former spy McGarvey as he returns to the fold to probe a car-jacking that left two CIA operatives dead and to seek out a mole. Bruce Watson reads with a tough no-nonsense style, sounding at times like Walter Winchell narrating "The Untouchables." His style lends itself well to action scenes, but much of the dialogue is overdone. McGarvey's lines often sound like shouting, rather than the cool menace intended. This reading could have been a lot more fun with a lighter touch. J.A.S.
(c) AudioFile 2004, Portland, Maine [Published: FEB/ MAR 04]