FATAL

Henry Leyva portrays Internist and Emergency Specialist Matt Rutledge, a doctor mystified by several flu-like cases that lead to psychosis, disfigurement, and sudden death. Appropriate sound effects accompany the symptoms of the illnesses. The mystery deepens when patients are diagnosed with Lhassa fever, indigenous to South Africa. Outstanding characterizations through tone, inflection, Southern accents, and pacing carry the listener to Appalachia, where murder, deceit and treachery rule. Belinda, West Virginia, is soon to be known as the birthplace of "Belinda Syndrome." Heavy-weight thugs are almost comical when Leyva characterizes their unthinking stupidity. Still, this well-done medical thriller will keep you in the car to its final CD. G.D.W. (c) AudioFile 2003, Portland, Maine [Published: APR/MAY 03]