LEGENDS

This is one instance when the speed of the narration makes a difference. In this complex novel a retired CIA operative turned detective is hired by a Russian-Jewish woman to find her Hassidic brother-in-law who has disappeared in Israel. A slower narration would have made the production easier to follow. That's because the story gets even more complicated: The detective has multiple personalities. Each has different tastes in almost everything, especially wine, women, and song. So if you can keep up with Grover Gardner's marathon read and still remember who's on first, his baritone voice will give you a pleasant, if hectic, experience. A.L.H. © AudioFile 2005, Portland, Maine [Published: DEC 05/ JAN 06]