BALANCE OF POWER

President of the United States Kerry Kilcannon and TV journalist Lara Costello plan to marry in the first few months of his first term in office. Then the gun lashing of Lara's sister brings to a head the fight between the gun industry and those who oppose it. Patricia Kalember's reading creates a tale without fire. She relates the narrative word by word, never getting caught up in the possibilities of the drama. Without any conversational tone in her delivery, the story lacks warmth and intimacy. Overall, this rendition is a lackluster disappointment. J.P. (c) AudioFile 2004, Portland, Maine [Published: JUN/ JUL 04]