WEST HEART KILL

Robert Petkoff solidifies his position as one of the finest narrators in the audiobook world with this metafictional mystery. His voice is fluid, and his attitude is exactly right for both the omniscient self-congratulatory narrator (who frequently interrupts the story to comment) and for PI McAnnis, who is on a case. Petkoff keeps one's attention even while delivering the long list of dramatis personae. He gives a smug, smart-alecky tone to McAnnis, who has cleverly gotten himself invited to the members-only West Heart Hunting Club. After several suspicious deaths and an accidental shooting, things move along swimmingly--until the annoying narrator pops in. While the conceit of the know-it-all narrator slows things down and comes off as cutesy, Petkoff's performance makes for entertaining listening. S.J.H. © AudioFile 2023, Portland, Maine [Published: NOVEMBER 2023]