A MONSTROUS REGIMENT OF WOMEN

Mary Russell, friend and apprentice of an aging Sherlock Holmes, investigates some suspicious deaths surrounding the charismatic Margaret Childe and her Temple of God. With a minimum of vocal gymnastics Jenny Sterlin creates a Mary Russell who is enormously likable and believable, especially when she finds herself in the sort of predicament that bad movies are made of. Her simultaneous courage, terror and desperation come through subtly, but clearly. Holmes, despite his grating voice, is properly sardonic and arrogant. While the other characters, except for Margaret, are largely indistinguishable, this is more the author's flaw. Since the reading succeeds or fails with the character of Mary Russell, this one succeeds admirably. S.F. ©AudioFile, Portland, Maine [Published: JUN 97]