THE WALKER IN SHADOWS

Laurel Lefkow's characterization amplifies the dated gender stereotypes of this mystery surrounding a Civil War-era house. The female characters (a mother and the girl her son is infatuated with) speak in voices as lightweight as one would expect in women who are deferential to all males. The son and the father of the girl exude machismo as they vie for the women's affections and seek to outmaneuver one another in finding the reason for the disturbances in the house. The narrative voice is a bit annoying in its movement between full-voice and a half-whisper. However, as the book progresses, the volume ranges become less pronounced, and it becomes easier to find a comfortable and effective listening volume. J.E.M. (c) AudioFile 2002, Portland, Maine [Published: OCT/ NOV 02]