MOURN NOT YOUR DEAD

When Superintendent Alistair Gilbert's wife and stepdaughter find his bludgeoned body, Duncan Kincaid of Scotland Yard and his partner, Gemma James, have to put their budding relationship on hold to investigate. It seems that no one in Holmbury St. Mary liked him. With only slight shadings in timbre, narrator Michael Deehy creates an entire village of plausible suspects. His authentic accents clarify class distinctions; in fact, his wholly absorbing reading makes even the description of a drapery design seem important. This 1996 addition to Crombie's exceptional series offers intense plotting, meticulous diction, and convincing insights into British sensibilities. Add to that a tour-de-force performance by Deehy, and listeners have an experience to savor. S.J.H. © AudioFile 2006, Portland, Maine [Published: JUN/ JUL 06]