CITIZEN VINCE

Jess Walter's 2005 Edgar-winning novel offers a Capra-esque tale of death, doughnuts, and democracy. Vince, a small-time hood who has been dropped into the Witness Protection Program, becomes obsessed with his voting rights during the 1980 presidential election. Narrator L.J. Ganser pulls off this job with humor and skill, in particular in providing dead-on imitations of Jimmy Carter and Ronald Reagan. (And speaking of real people, Ganser conveys with frightening accuracy the vicious young John Gotti.) There are some loose ends here and there, as well as a questionable supporting plot about a young cop, but Ganser's dry reading and Walter's witty prose combine for a sweet and memorable crime caper. R.W.S. © AudioFile 2007, Portland, Maine [Published: JUN/ JUL 07]