QUEEN OF SWORDS

Kate Reading's lively narration pulls listeners into the fourth adventure of the Bonners. Personal and global conflict takes the Scottish family from the Caribbean to New Orleans in 1814. Negotiating accents, including lilting Carribean and French-toned Creole, Reading portrays a large cast of characters, taking listeners from the dramatic rescue of Jennet, the wife of Luke Bonner, to the recovery of her son from a controlling New Orleans matriarch. Reading depicts Jennet's Scots lineage with accent and fiery spirit and captures the strengths of a second strong female character, Luke's Mohawk half-sister, Hannah. Hannah risks much to rescue Jennet's son, plies her medical knowledge to good effect, and manages to fall in love several times. S.W. © AudioFile 2007, Portland, Maine [Published: APR/ MAY 07]