FIGURE OF HATE

It's another case for "Crowner" John, the twelfth-century Devonshire detective. He investigates the murder of a decadent lord, so selfish and cruel that the entire community is suspect. Lusty Sir John's many fans also hear more of his shrewish wife, venal brother-in-law, former and current mistresses, and eccentric henchmen. Period detail, as always, rings true, as do the gravelly intonations of narrator Paul Matthews. While he excels at the several regional accents and nicely impersonates the numerous dramatis personae, his most outstanding achievement is conveying the atmosphere of medieval England--visceral impressions of unpaved roads, rustic cottages, drafty castles, course homespun, and the ever present smells of heather and horses. Y.R. © AudioFile 2006, Portland, Maine [Published: DEC 06/ JAN 07]