THE IMPROVISERS

Bahni Turpin gives voice to an appealing heroine in this compelling fantasy mystery set in the U.S. during the early 1930s, when Prohibition outlaws both alcohol and some magic. Stunt pilot and former bootlegger Velma Frye also works for a magical rights group. A murder investigation leads her to the existence of magical objects that cause harm, and tracking them down takes Velma--along with Dillon Harris, a tenacious reporter Velma is slowly growing closer to--across the country in her plane. Turpin's skilled performance keeps the large cast of African American characters sounding unique and recognizable. Velma herself sounds smart, resourceful, and confident, whether she's wielding celestial magic or flying her plane (or doing both at the same time). It's an action-packed adventure in a fascinating alternate version of our world. J.M.D. © AudioFile 2025, Portland, Maine [Published: JANUARY 2025]