OUT OF THE DEEP I CRY

Two mysteries, one current, one set in the 1930s, are skillfully woven in this second series entry featuring Episcopal priest Clare Fergusson and her unrequited heart throb, Police Chief Russ Van Alstyne. Unfortunately, this production makes for painfully slow listening, in part due to Spencer-Fleming's highly detailed prose. It takes three hours of setup before the plot kicks off. A bigger problem is Suzanne Toren's reading style; too serious and proper, it fails to capture the fun, irony, or flirtatiousness of the well-written dialogue. Many of Toren's characterizations tend toward stereotypes--the women sound indignant, the men gruff and disgruntled. If you're patient to get through the early part of the story, the end is riveting and rewarding. If not, read this one in ink. E.S. (c) AudioFile 2004, Portland, Maine [Published: DEC 04/ JAN 05]