CRITICAL

CRITICAL is Robin Cook's latest book featuring recurring characters Laurie Montgomery and Jack Stapleton. George Guidall's performance is spot-on, as usual, but it's hard to imagine him keeping a straight face in the booth. First, there's some atrocious dialogue between two violent thugs. It's hard to take them seriously when they say "Hispanics" and refer to Rohypnol as "the date rape drug," as opposed to a "roofie." Other than the silly dialogue and shallow characters, the story is engaging as it recounts Laurie's travails in solving a series of gruesome staff infection deaths. Still, despite Guidall's perfect performance, this is more of a movie of the week than a blockbuster. E.D.H. © AudioFile 2008, Portland, Maine [Published: APR/ MAY 08]