HARM DONE

This Inspector Wexford mystery is a bit of a disappointment in both the writing and the reading. Though the Wexford stories are usually tautly crafted, this one meanders into social issues (pedophilia and spousal abuse); indeed, the murders don't occur until the last fourth of the novel. As usual, reader Davina Porter is superb, except for her somewhat grating characterization of Wexford himself, which seems forced and unnatural. Still Rendell and Porter are better than most of what else is out there, so HARM DONE is worth staying the course. T.H. © AudioFile 2000, Portland, Maine [Published: OCT/NOV 00]