SLEEPING BEAUTY

Suzanne Houston begins reading in a clear, lively voice but soon loses her way in cardboard characters, inane dialogue, and uninspired situations. However, when the bailiff raps his gavel at the start of the courtroom scene later in the book, Houston moves into high gear again, bringing the characters' voices to life with dialogue that is tense and spirited. The plot still remains problematic--the "shocking ending" isn't, a particularly heinous crime is predictable and lacks drama, and many obvious clues are overlooked in the trial. Yet Margolin's ability to pace the courtroom material, coupled with Houston's riveting reading of it, makes the last 100 pages worth every listening moment. K.A.T. (c) AudioFile 2004, Portland, Maine [Published: OCT/ NOV 04]