JOE LEDGER The Missing Files

Narrator Ray Porter hones his accents and pacing for Maberry’s unusual characters with each successive audiobook. Porter easily changes voices to suit the various, mostly male, characters and highlights Maberry’s dark sense of humor. As narrator, Porter’s consistency is truly appreciated as he ties together these five detective Joe Ledger short stories. In “Deep, Dark,” Joe battles geneticists who are turning soldiers into insects; “Material Witness” is a thriller set in Pine Deep, Pennsylvania; “Countdown” is a prequel to “Patient Zero,” and “Zero Tolerance” brings closure to parts of “Patient Zero.” Finally, “Dog Days” follows the tragic conclusion of “The Dragon Factory.” Porter’s performance is calm and understated, almost stern, yet often inflects emotions integral to Joe’s fears, compassion, and sense of personal loss. Porter is a perfect narrator for these action-packed thrillers. S.C.A. Winner of AudioFile Earphones Award © AudioFile 2011, Portland, Maine [Published: SEPTEMBER 2011]