BULLS ISLAND

When New York executive Betts Barrett is offered a plum assignment in her hometown of Charleston, South Carolina, she can't say no, although the trip will unravel her finely tailored life. A big snag is J.D. Langley, Betts's former fiancé, who is integral to her business. The novel's point of view alternates between that of Betts, narrated by Julia Gibson, and that of J.D., narrated by Joey Collins. Gibson gives Betts a toned-down Southern accent while her best friend, Cela, drawls with Charleston's finest. Collins gives J.D. a voice as sultry as a summer day. Both deliver believable tones for J.D.'s shrieking wife and pretentious mother and Betts's mobster beau. Frank tosses in mystery, scandal, and tragedy before setting Betts and J.D. on a new course. J.J.B. © AudioFile 2008, Portland, Maine [Published: AUGUST 2008]