THE DEAD HAND OF HISTORY

It's 1973 and the first day on the job for DCI Monika Paniatowski. Not only does she have to deal with the discovery of a severed hand but also with the blatant resentment of her staff because she's been promoted in a male-dominated profession. She's also accused of partiality towards a fellow Polish immigrant who seems certain to have been the murderer. Narrator Nicolette McKenzie gives distinctive personalities to characters of myriad ages, education levels, and backgrounds. Her Eastern European accents crackle with life. The unusual setting of a bakery, with its large multicultural staff, makes for a fascinating procedural as Monika works hard to prove herself. Several false conclusions keep listeners guessing until the end. S.G.B. © AudioFile 2011, Portland, Maine [Published: DECEMBER 2011]