THE BLUE SAPPHIRE

Narrator Hilary Neville skillfully re-creates the worlds of London and Scotland as Julia Hardin's Uncle Randall requests her presence at his bedside in Scotland. It's the 1940s, and Julia is just gaining her independence when she becomes a resident in former actress Mae Martineau's London boarding house. Neville is terrific as sweet and innocent Julia and her nosy but well-meaning landlady. She also deftly creates Julia's stodgy fiancé, Morland, and her spirited friend, Steven, a sapphire miner in Africa. Neville's best creation, however, is housekeeper Mrs. Walker, who regales Julia with years of family history--and secrets--in her rich Scots brogue. S.G.B. © AudioFile 2014, Portland, Maine [Published: DECEMBER 2014]