WRECK THE HALLS

Jacobia "Jake" Tiptree loves her new home in Maine, where she reinvents herself after long being a city dweller. When Jake discovers the body of violent husband nearly everyone suspects that wife had reached the end of her tether. Lindsay Ellison realistically portrays each strong and independent woman and gives listeners a keen sense of place, including the weather, eccentric characters, and way of life on a remote island. Jake and her bevy of friends have a quirky way of detecting and, at times, seem more like gun molls than modern women in New England. An enjoyable puzzle for mystery fans and those who enjoy an evocative setting. S.G.B. © AudioFile 2006, Portland, Maine [Published: AUG/ SEP 06]