SYMPATHY BETWEEN HUMANS

Minnesota Detective Sarah Pribek finds herself the prime suspect in a murder. But not even the threat of an end to her police career can keep the empathetic Sarah from getting tangled in the problems of strangers. Sarah’s sympathy extends to a highly dysfunctional family of youngsters, as well as to a paraplegic doctor practicing without a license. Marie St. Clair’s narration is too low-key for this intense, intricately plotted novel. However, she does especially well when the story calls for dialogue. Her understated characterizations keep the novel’s occasional lapses into melodrama under tight control. While this police procedural is not as riveting as THE 37TH HOUR, Sarah’s character is tenacious and appealing. S.J.H. © AudioFile 2005, Portland, Maine [Published: AUG/SEP 05]