BURY THE LEAD

Reporter Daniel Cummings is receiving messages from a serial killer who is murdering Patterson, New Jersey, women and cutting off their hands. When Cummings himself is accused of the crimes, Andy Carpenter becomes his defense attorney and investigates the crimes along with his girlfriend, Laurie, an ex-cop turned P.I., and his dog, Tara. Grover Gardner captures the spirit of the wisecracking Carpenter, whose bravado is only skin deep. Laurie, on the other hand, is the strong, silent type, who dishes out justice as needed in a no-nonsense manner. Gardner's reading is flawless, rendering a soft New Jersey accent that is never confused with its near-twin of New York. This whodunit wends its way to a surprise ending. M.B.K. (c) AudioFile 2004, Portland, Maine [Published: DEC 04/ JAN 05]