CRIMINAL INTENT

Cheers to Stephen Hoye, who captures the essence of this hardcore legal drama. Ben Kincaid is in the courtroom, defending Father Beale, an Episcopalian priest, on the charge of murdering the leader of a group of parishioners who want him replaced. Hoye reads smoothly and professionally while effectively presenting the idealistic Kincaid's intelligent and reasoned defense of the priest. The dialogue is stilted and awkward at times, but Hoye helps the listener differentiate the many witnesses and suspects, innocent or guilty. Hoye's male voices are distinctive, believable, and easy to listen to; however, female ones are somewhat labored and similar. Nonetheless, Hoye's narration adroitly enhances the suspense of this mystery. S.C.A. © AudioFile 2006, Portland, Maine [Published: OCT/ NOV 06]