DEADLY EMBRACE

Michael Castelli's legitimate and illegitimate families are both at risk from a crazy, old porno queen who is bent on revenge for having been jilted by Michael's father during WWII. Will Michael have to kill her? And will he finally marry his mistress of 30 years? Carrington McDuffie offers fine characterizations of Michael's New York mobster friends and their sleazy associates. Her depiction of Michael's younger daughter makes the girl sound 38 rather than 18, but remains consistent. McDuffie's soft, formal delivery, however, never quite captures Collins's racing pace and sharp edge. Her performance works too hard on what should be simply a fun read. The sound levels and pervasive hiss on the tapes don't help matters either. R.P.L. (c) AudioFile 2003, Portland, Maine [Published: AUG/SEP 03]