SISTER MINE

This novel is a mixed bag. The main plot, involving the return of a pregnant sister presumed dead, is straight out of " Law and Order." As listeners, we might not know the whole story, but we've guessed at the circumstances long before the novel moves on to them. Even the surprise ending seems more sappy than believable. The secondary story, about a small coal mining town attempting to recover from disaster long after the rubber-necking public has moved on, is fascinating and well written. Renée Raudman narrates with youthful exuberance, trusting that listeners are hanging onto every word. We're not--but we're unable to stop listening any more than we can turn off those late-night TV reruns. R.R. © AudioFile 2007, Portland, Maine [Published: JUN/ JUL 07]