BLOOD'S A ROVER

BLOOD'S A ROVER is a solid story with an odd name. In the beginning, writer James Ellroy uses a lot of short declarative sentences. Punchy. Brief. Specific. Fortunately, the writing becomes more expansive later, getting the chance to breathe. Narrator Craig Wasson keeps the many different characters straight, giving each a distinct voice. His acting skills serve him well, and his performance lends coherence to an untidy, complex plot. Set in the 1960s, it involves the CIA, FBI, mobsters, presidents, drug wars, and Cuba. It's hard to know whom to root for in this book, making it closer to real life than many other thrillers. M.S. © AudioFile 2010, Portland, Maine [Published: MARCH 2010]