NEW ENGLAND WHITE

In this rich and complex thriller about the sources and uses of power in America, Lemaster and Julia Carlyle, leaders of an African-American elite, are involved (but how, exactly?) in a murder that rattles the Yale-like university, of which Lemaster is president, and the highest office in the United States, of which Lemaster’s college roommate (Squinchy to his intimates) is president. Bahni Turpin’s voice is gorgeous, and her vocal acting is over-the-top superb. With a flawless ear, she makes the most of the accents, subtle jokes, and speech tics with which Carter peoples a broad canvas full of colorful characters. Her pacing is perfect as the plot, constructed like a dark high-stakes treasure hunt, ricochets from academia to Harlem to the White House. A sensational performance. B.G. Winner of AudioFile Earphones Award © AudioFile 2007, Portland, Maine [Published: DEC 07/ JAN 08]