THE NIGHT SPIDER

Meet a serial killer with a twist. The press dubs him "The Night Spider." He stalks his prey, drops down from the top of her high rise, enters her apartment as she sleeps, wraps her in her bed sheets, and then, repeatedly, excruciatingly, stabs her. Even with a few too many convolutions and coincidences, John Lutz spins a great yarn. Scott Brick's performance provides Thom Horn, retired homicide detective, and NYPD's Roy Bickerstaff with subtly shaded inner lives. As Detective Paula Ramboquette, Brick's Cajun accent misses most of the melodic sound of Louisiana. However, Brick is always an exceptional reader of female characters, and his Ramboquette evolves into an intelligent, humane person, as well as a strong partner to the others. Exciting listening--preferably somewhere away from tall buildings. S.J.H. (c) AudioFile 2004, Portland, Maine [Published: JUN/ JUL 04]