THE PRACTICE OF DECEIT

At first sound, this mystery seems to be told by a hard-boiled detective of old. Richard Poe's subtle accent and edgy delivery give protagonist Eric Lavender an attitude. Strangely enough, rather than being the one solving crimes, Lavender is the alleged perpetrator. This fast-paced, engrossing novel is performed with confidence and skill. Poe makes the protagonist both sympathetic and coolly real. The story contains just enough description to hold the listener's imagination and enough snappy dialogue to move the action along. This audiobook gives dimension to the genre of suspense novels--adding thought-provoking contemporary issues to a traditional mystery. L.B.F. © AudioFile 2006, Portland, Maine [Published: APR/ MAY 06]