DEAD MAN'S BONES

In Texas Hill County, ex-lawyer turned herbalist China Bayles becomes embroiled in a thirty-year-old murder case when her teenaged son finds bones in a cave. At the same time, the wealthiest citizen in the county, Jane Obermann, shoots the local handyman after the debut of a controversial play about her father. Julia Gibson manages to keep the two plots straight as they intertwine. Gibson gives China a no-nonsense voice that drives the investigation while Obermann sounds as domineering as her character. The pace is nonstop, the investigation convoluted as Albert provides clues and Gibson gives a perfect performance that charms the listener. M.B.K. © AudioFile 2007, Portland, Maine [Published: FEB/ MAR 07]