PRAYERS FOR THE ASSASSIN

This audio performance needs a prayer. The author's superficial plot and character development and stilted conversations combine with a flat reading to leave the listener not caring that the U.S.A. has become the Islamic States of America. At least "gas is cheap" in this disjointed tale of religious fundamentalism versus "modern" American Muslims of 2040. It's tough to accept the author's futuristic tale when it stars characters with distracting throw-back names like The Old One, Red Beard, Spider, and Darwin. Unfortunately, Armand Schultz plows through the book's few thought-provoking lines--"The pious are always suspicious of devotion in others" --without dramatic flair or pause. A multi-tasking listener is likely to miss the author's few gems. D.J.M. © AudioFile 2006, Portland, Maine [Published: JUN/ JUL 06]