ODDS ON

Edoardo Ballerini rises to the challenge of narrating Michael Crichton's first-ever novel, which was published in 1966. Listeners follow the adventures of three crooks as they plan a heist in the south of Spain with their leader, Steve Jencks, using computer technology in its infancy to calculate the chances of success. Ballerini seamlessly delivers a variety of accents, including British, American and Spanish, to create a cast of larger-than-life characters. His dialogue and his characterizations of the female protagonists, young and old, are particularly notable. Also, his spot-on timing helps keep the plot moving through various red herrings and twists. While the story is dated, Ballerini's strong narration highlights its strengths. K.J.P. © AudioFile 2025, Portland, Maine [Published: FEBRUARY 2025]