KEEPING BAD COMPANY

Granger departs from her Markby and Mitchell series with this refreshing mystery. Amateur sleuth Fran Varady befriends a homeless alcoholic in London who confesses to having witnessed the abduction of a young woman. When no one else takes Alkie Albie's claim seriously, Fran begins to investigate--in spite of threats and eventual injury. Narrator Kim Hicks is superb, creating a sincere Fran whom listeners cannot fail to warm to. She also portrays a wide range of secondary characters, including street people, Fran's retired librarian landlady, and Sergeant Parry, Fran's conservative partner. Each character is finely developed by Granger and perfectly brought to life by Hicks. The complex story never wavers because Hicks gives plot the same care that she gives character and dialogue. S.G.B. Winner of AudioFile Earphones Award
(c) AudioFile 2004, Portland, Maine [Published: FEB/ MAR 04]