THE PRECIPICE

Virginia Duigan is a good writer who also is an excellent narrator. However, her performance of this novel is better than the story, which is slow to get to the point and a bit worn when it gets there. Thea Farmer is a curmudgeonly retired educator who takes an interest in Kim, a 12-year-old neighbor who lives with her aunt and uncle. Thea begins to doubt the uncle's interest in Kim is entirely appropriate. Duigan's portrayal of Thea is wonderful--full of tight-lipped rectitude that relaxes a bit as she befriends Kim. Other characters, including participants in Thea's creative writing class, are also well done. Still, there's something very familiar about the plot. Listeners may well feel they've heard it all before. G.S.D. © AudioFile 2015, Portland, Maine [Published: AUGUST 2015]