GRAVE GOODS

On a mission from King Henry II, forensic physician Adelia Aguilar travels to Glastonbury Abbey to examine two skeletons, allegedly those of King Arthur and Queen Guinevere. Adelia solves that puzzle, and several more. Kate Reading performs this twelfth-century story with suitable solemnity for a quest assigned by a king. Her slightly squeaky renderings of children's dialogue are the rare break in her formality. While both text and performance of this novel present a dismal picture of life in that era, through it all, Reading's impeccable diction and spot-on phrasing keep the listener engaged with the story. R.L.L. © AudioFile 2009, Portland, Maine [Published: MAY 2009]