HOT BLOOD

A thriller doesn’t get more British than this latest from Stephen Leather, and Martyn Read's narration is so proper you can almost hear "Rule, Brittania" playing in the background. In this fourth Spider Shepherd saga, the former SAS trooper, who in previous books investigated local crime, takes on a broader mission. He sets off to Baghdad to rescue a former colleague who once saved his life. His friend has been kidnapped by extremists and is slated for execution. As Shepherd races against the deadline set by the insurgents, Read's performance keeps pace with the moment and generates the excitement that gives this production a satisfying conclusion. A.L.H. © AudioFile 2008, Portland, Maine [Published: APR/ MAY 08]