REDCOAT

Hayward Morse is unable to transform Cornwell’s epic of revolutionary Philadelphia into a gripping story. While Morse is good at narrating action, the number of characters and lines of dialogue overwhelm him. The voices of his female characters are nasal or quivery, sometimes both at the same time. Two of the women in the novel are supposed to be Rebel spies, but they’re not believable without strong voices. Several of the battle and primitive surgery scenes are gruesome. Loyal fans of Cornwell may enjoy this piece of historical fiction, but Morse does not make it into a remarkable listening experience. R.F. © AudioFile 2004, Portland, Maine [Published: DEC 04/ JAN 05]