GOLD COAST

Listening to Frank Muller's 1995 reading of this vintage Leonard is pure pleasure and reminds us again how much we miss his voice. This 1980s' novel is of the "Detroit Mob moved to Florida" variety featured in much of Leonard's early work. The central character is the attractive widow of a Mob leader whose will, jealously enforced by his former associates, leaves her lots of money but almost no freedom. What happens when she tries to break out? Many plot twists and no real good guys. In addition to easy, pitch-perfect pacing, Muller plays everyone from redneck underlings to Cuban wives to Detroit lawyers exquisitely. This is just how Leonard should sound, and it is as good as it gets. R.E.K. Winner of AudioFile Earphones Award © AudioFile 2006, Portland, Maine [Published: FEB/ MAR 06]