LEAVING TIME

The masterful ensemble narrating Picoult's latest novel allows the intriguing plot and recognizable characters that are her trademarks to take center stage. Picoult gives us an adolescent girl who enlists a failed psychic and an alcoholic private detective to help find her mother—an animal researcher who disappeared when the girl was 4. As the characters alternate chapters, the presenters develop them all into fully defined personalities while maintaining a roller-coaster pace as the plot moves toward its surprising conclusion. The backstory of family drama played out against the plight of African elephants is as rich and captivating as the prevailing plot. Leaving before the story ends will not be an option! M.O.B. Winner of AudioFile Earphones Award © AudioFile 2014, Portland, Maine [Published: OCTOBER 2014]