MONEY, MONEY, MONEY

After 51 novels, the ability to produce a mystery that can surprise the reader is a gift. McBain's latest novel of the 87th Precinct showcases Steve Carella and the precinct's racist, self-deluded Ollie Weeks, who rides to Carella's rescue repeatedly and unexpectedly. The two detectives follow a trail of corpses linked to drugs, counterfeit money, lions, ice picks, an inept burglar, and terrorists. The terrorists are the one jarring part of the novel: Their abridged story line does not tie into the main plot until the last few minutes of the last tape. A reference to potential terrorist targets is shocking and unfortunate, given recent events, but will not deter libraries from adding this latest title from a Grand Master. Ron McLarty's dark, rough voice gives another strong performance, portraying racists, drug dealers, and terrorists with strong accents and sharp edges and then softening to voice the female characters. E.J.F. (c) AudioFile 2002, Portland, Maine [Published: APR/MAY 02]