MANGROVE SQUEEZE

Richard Ferrone's warm, inviting tones are nicely in sync with the Key West setting of Shames's quirky thriller and the amusing retirees that people it. He enlivens both the playfully off-color humor and the budding romance between the two non-octogenarians: ex-New York stockbroker Aaron Katz and novice crime reporter Suki Sperakis. Though Ferrone also delivers the necessary edge when Russian mobsters enter the scene, the light moments are what shine. Ferrone perfectly captures the banter between old mensch Sam Katz and retired Brooklyn gangster "Bert the Shirt," and makes one laugh out loud reading the descriptions of Bert's ancient Chihuahua, who steals about a dozen scenes by, basically, just lying there! J.P.M. (c) AudioFile 2002, Portland, Maine [Published: APR/MAY 02]