GREAT MYSTERIES GREAT WRITERS

Five abridged mysteries written by five authors and read by five excellent actors comprise this audiobook. It would be difficult to find more diverse mysteries or more uneven abridgments. Pastime by Robert Parker fares the best, both as a story and an excellent abridgment, catching the essence of the novel but not leaving out too much of the color that is Parker's strength. On the other hand, Carol Higgins Clark's reading of her own Snagged has a cast of hundreds and an absurd, convoluted plot--all of which cannot be attributed to the abridgment. Lucky Day by Mary Higgins Clark, performed by Betsy Palmer, is both well done and well-abridged. All in all, this audiobook has some strong and some weak entries, but excellent performances are achieved by all the narrators. S.F.W. ©AudioFile, Portland, Maine [Published: NOV 94]