THE RIDERS

When his wife mysteriously leaves them, Scully and his young daughter, Billie, begin a haunting odyssey into their past to find out why. McGeagh's coarse and monotonous voice belies the jealousy and rage that propel Scully and Billy upon their obsessive quest. McGeagh loses the pulse of this intriguing story with his excessive emphasis on Scully's internal conflicts. We get a strong sense of this complex Australian, but no other character is projected with resounding voice, even Billie, whose words are the essence of this story. But even without superb narration, this absorbing novel is not to be missed. J.K.R. ©AudioFile, Portland, Maine [Published: JULY 96]