A DIME A DOZEN

Callie Webber goes home to North Carolina to investigate her former in-laws' involvement with a charity grant. Within a week, she solves two murders and uncovers a gem-theft conspiracy while waiting for her absent boyfriend to arrive. Listeners not familiar with earlier books in this series will think Callie is 75 years old and fading fast. Narrator Ruth Ann Phimister uses a quavery, plodding vocal tone for the first-person narration of a 20-something private investigator. Her performance includes Southern, New York, and California accents for characters who fail to sound real. Born-agains will appreciate the biblical texts thrown in at odd moments while other Christians will wonder what the point is. R.P.L. (c) AudioFile 2004, Portland, Maine [Published: AUG/ SEP 04]