THE EMPEROR OF OCEAN PARK

This is two, two, two books in one. One book--and it's a wonder--delineates the family of Talcott Garland, law professor and son of Oliver Garland, a black Supreme Court nominee who owns a summer house in Ocean Park on Martha's Vineyard. The other, and it's not as expertly drawn, is a legal thriller surrounding the judge's life and death. The shoot-out in a graveyard isn't nearly as fresh or exciting as the knowing presentation of empowered black men and women, rich for generations and conservative. Peter Francis James has a deep, melodious voice, perfect for Talcott, but he doesn't change it to give life to other characters. B.H.C. 2003 Audie Award Finalist (c) AudioFile 2002, Portland, Maine [Published: OCT/ NOV 02]