NOW & THEN

Great narrators can transform virtually any book into an engaging listen. NOW & THEN is no exception; it’s like a movie that features Hollywood’s best stars yet only receives a C or C+ from critics. Regardless, the book is worth hearing because of narrators Rich Orlow, Simon Prebble, and George Guidall, who combine to give life to Locke’s dialogue. It’s hard to know what to make of the story. At times, it’s an engaging crime thriller featuring former CIA assassin Donovan Creed. At other times, it’s a charming and funny romp. While the book’s best moments are terrific, its low points, such as the parts involving pirates, add little. Overall, the meandering story will leave listeners wondering where the author is heading. D.J.S. © AudioFile 2012, Portland, Maine [Published: JULY 2012]