MISSING, PRESUMED

Great news for mystery lovers! First we had Inspector Morse, of the Oxford constabulary; now we have Manon Bradshaw, of the Cambridgeshire Police. Steiner's crime novel has a slower pace than that of the average suspense novel, as she gives considerable attention to developing her multidimensional characters. Bradshaw's search for a missing young woman ends up riding shotgun with the stellar cast that drives the story. Juanita McMahon's narration mirrors that quality, doing much to enhance the characters but little to build the suspense. Her transitions between characters—in dialogue and narrative—highlight the distinctness of individuals and pull the listener into their lives. While the plot may not develop the most suspenseful mystery, McMahon delivers a fictional world rich in sensory stimulation. J.F. © AudioFile 2016, Portland, Maine [Published: JULY 2016]