THE EMPTY CHAIR

While in North Carolina for an experimental medical procedure, criminologist Lincoln Rhyme, accompanied by his colleague, Amelia Sachs, is called on to assist in a murder/kidnapping case. The suspect is a teenager called "Insect Boy" because of his affinity for bugs. Amelia forms a bond with the teen, and Rhyme fears that this could be deadly. Joe Mantegna's narration is strong and clear, emotionally direct and well paced, but suffers from his North Carolina accents. All of the local people sound stupid and slow. This flaw doesn't diminish the suspense but does make it difficult to view the story's characters as credible. M.A.M. © AudioFile 2000, Portland, Maine [Published: DEC/JAN 01]