THE CRYSTAL SKULL

When Professor Kit O'Connor, of Cambridge, gives his fiancée, Stella Cody, a poem about a blue crystal skull, one of 13 missing for 450 years, he has no idea of the destructive powers he is unleashing. Susan Duerden's soft, mystical-sounding voice weaves two adventure stories and time lines together. One subplot concerns the Mayans, who crafted the skull; the other takes place in modern England, where the newlyweds plan to honeymoon. Duerden’s rich vocal personality portrays the ancient peoples and their civilization with subtle accents and a seamless narrative. For modern times she crafts a variety of European and English accents. Duerden's delivery and timing capture the spirit of adventure as the couple race the clock to reunite the skulls and prevent global disaster in this excellent archaeological thriller. G.D.W. © AudioFile 2008, Portland, Maine [Published: NOVEMBER 2008]