CLOSED CIRCLE

This novel of intrigue is convoluted and somewhat implausible, but captivating nonetheless. The cast features two confidence artists, a beautiful heiress and her aunt, the heiress's fabulously wealthy father, and his international group of WWI profiteers. The adventure that ensues ranges across much of Western Europe; it demands a broad range of accents from the narrator and the ability to keep the listener from getting lost in the complexity of the plot. Bill Wallis does all of this terrifically well. His narration is pleasant and easy to follow, and each of the large cast of characters sounds different. Wallis is especially good at making women sound real without resorting to a falsetto. R.E.K. © AudioFile 2000, Portland, Maine [Published: JUN/JUL 00]