LAST LAUGH, MR. MOTO

John P. Marquand (1893-1960) wrote six novels about the Japanese agent Mr. Moto (of which this magazine serial is the fifth). In these books the title character always turns up in an advisory supporting role with others from story to story serving as the main characters. Here the protagonist is American Bob Bolles, a gambling and drinking ex-sailor, who takes a group of international passengers aboard his sailboat and heads for a distant island where dark doings result. Reader Jonathan Marosz creates an enjoyable listening experience. He suggests the characters' nationalities with only slight changes of tonality rather than broad accents. The restraint and formality of his approach are effective. G.H. © AudioFile 2001, Portland, Maine [Published: OCT/ NOV 01]