DEAD WATCH

Richard Ferrone has performed almost all of John Sandford's books. Here he's cast as Jake Winter, special assistant to the president's chief of staff, who is investigating the gruesome death of an outspoken U.S. senator. Ferrone has several strengths, and you can tell he gets into his characters. He also knows how to ratchet up the excitement, which is especially important as Sandford starts all of his action sentences with verbs. Jake Winter is a welcome addition to the author's cast of characters. One hopes that Winter will join Sandford's other protagonists--Lucas Davenport, Kidd, and the "Night Crew"--and become a Sandford regular. A.L.H. © AudioFile 2006, Portland, Maine [Published: AUG/ SEP 06]