STRANDED

McDermid’s series of unrelated short stories has its strengths and weaknesses. Furthermore, the audio format often spotlights the unevenness of the genre. The listener hopes for more during one of the better efforts and sighs with relief when a less interesting tale is concluded. Fortunately, STRANDED features far more hopes than sighs, as do the performances of Vari Sylvester and Gordon Griffin, who take turns reading. Sylvester’s style is more compelling and more intense. On the other hand, Griffin reads with a more understated style that allows McDermid’s words to shine. While not a classic, STRANDED almost certainly will have a few stories that appeal to almost every listener. D.J.S. © AudioFile 2006, Portland, Maine [Published: AUG/ SEP 06]