THE WINDS OF CHANGE

Grimes's latest Richard Jury mystery continues her long-standing series with the familiar figures of Jury and his friend, Melrose Plant. Sleuthing between Cornwall and London, Jury tries to link the disappearance and deaths of very young girls. Paul Hecht is a gifted narrator, offering a confidant, articulate performance of Cornwall gardeners, London businessmen, and country squires. But something's missing--perhaps it's the mostly subtle British accents and light characterizations. Grimes plays her characters to the hilt, yet Hecht seems to hold back, so the vocal portraits seem a little lackluster. The abridgment is good for the most part, but the ending seems to dissipate after a strong and intriguing build-up. R.F.W. (c) AudioFile 2004, Portland, Maine [Published: DEC 04/ JAN 05]