CALL FOR THE DEAD

This early ‘60s novel from spymaster le Carré is less well known than others that feature George Smiley (TINKER, TAILOR SOLDIER, SPY) but is the first to introduce the enigmatic Cold War intelligence officer. This brilliant mystery gets a new dimension from this BBC dramatized program. A fine cast, led by Simon Russell Beale, creates a dramatic tension that plays on all the nuance of this short work. There's not a line or pause out of place. Sound effects and silence are used to great effect. Listeners hear a splash as two men struggle along the Thames embankment, and seconds tick by before you know who survived the struggle. What is the sound of Smiley puzzling out the answer to the suicide-murder? Outstanding audio theater. R.F.W. Winner of AudioFile Earphones Award © AudioFile 2009, Portland, Maine [Published: SEPTEMBER 2009]