DAYS WITHOUT NUMBER

Gordon Griffin's voice, while not melodious or powerful, is perfectly pleasant, but his skill in characterizing voices is remarkable. He changes not so much his tone (though he does that) as his manner of speaking. Every speaker is clearly differentiated but by such subtle means that we are never distracted, and even quick back-and-forth dialogue sounds like two people. The novel, about modern skullduggery linked to Byzantine history, the Templars, and a holy relic (Dan Brown fans, note), has some early talky patches even Griffin can't remedy. But the persistent listener will be rewarded by a thoughtful, intriguing puzzler that surprises again and again, delivered by a master who makes it seem effortless. W.M. © AudioFile 2005, Portland, Maine [Published: DEC 05/ JAN 06]