JUDGE & JURY

Perfecting the mobster’s attitude, as well as that of the FBI agent tracking him, could be difficult for some, but innuendo, accent, and timing are Joe Mantegna’s trademarks in narrating, and he does a superb job here. Nick Pellisante comes alive as the emotionally burdened agent, as does Andie DeGrasse, the not-so-willing juror, as their lives become entangled while the Mafia don laughs in the face of the law. Using wise-guy accents for the mobsters and a sincere tone for the agent, Mantegna weaves this story flawlessly, bringing the listener into a gritty world in which the villains get the upper hand, but only for a short while. D.L.M. Winner of AudioFile Earphones Award © AudioFile 2006, Portland, Maine [Published: DEC 06/ JAN 07]