THE GIZMO

It's a challenge not to giggle and guffaw all the way through this Australian yarn. If there's anyone around, they'll think you're as bonkers as poor Stephen, the unfortunate lad who light-fingers a gizmo on a dare, quickly becomes guilt-ridden, and tries to dump the unwanted booty, only to find that it won't go away. Francis Greenslade's humorous reading is backed by unexpected sound effects, from whistle slides to background screams, that make this tape as hard to put down as the mysterious gizmo. M.C. (c) AudioFile 2002, Portland, Maine [Published: AUG/SEP 02]