ALL DAY AND A NIGHT Ellie Hatcher, Book 5

In an audiobook narration, personalities need to come through in the vocalization of the characters. That fails to happen in Andi Arndt’s reading of Alafair Burke’s newest Ellie Hatcher mystery. Arndt’s portrayal misses Hatcher’s sharp edges, wit, and inner strength. As Hatcher and her partner, J.J. Rogan, race the clock to keep a serial murderer in jail, Hatcher sounds prim and forlorn. Furthermore, there isn’t much difference between the dialogue of Hatcher and that of DA Carrie Blank. This is a novel of suspense, but the pacing is lethargic. Sadly, the energy and intensity of Burke’s novel just aren’t present in this narration. J.F. © AudioFile 2014, Portland, Maine [Published: OCTOBER 2014]