DAKOTA

Grimes has a knack for creating engaging characters, and, not surprisingly, Andi Oliver is unique and likable, especially for his iron backbone and a deep affinity for animals. Renée Raudman superbly creates the perfect voice--calm and natural--to endear listeners to Andi even more. The story itself is a blatant exposé and indictment of the factory farm, the hog-raising industry, in this case. Raudman makes each character's voice distinctive and expertly modulates her tone and pitch to build tension and sustain suspense. She puts real feeling into the graphic descriptions of animal abuse as she effectively delivers this disturbing story. S.C.A. © AudioFile 2008, Portland, Maine [Published: JULY 2008]