CHILD 44

If life in Stalinist Russia seems hard to imagine, then reading CHILD 44 will only make it even more difficult to fathom. Smith's debut novel is the chilling story of Leo Demidov, a "true believer" and war hero who simply wants to serve his country. Faced with the reality that a serial killer of children is on the loose, Leo is conflicted, and eventually demoted and exiled. Leo never gives up his search for the truth, however, with astounding results. Dennis Boutsikaris’s nuanced delivery, especially his deftly varied tones, adds significantly to the book's allure and, perhaps, makes this audio version more intense than mere written words. D.J.S. 2009 Audies Winner © AudioFile 2008, Portland, Maine [Published: OCT/NOV 08]