BLUE SMOKE AND MURDER

A combination of action, intrigue, and sexual tension results in superb romantic suspense. Narrator Carol Monda delivers a confident performance as the independent Jill Breck, a river guide who is pulled into a dangerous scheme when she inherits a collection of unsigned canvases. As she tries to uncover the truth about the origin of the paintings, her life is threatened, and she must seek help from a private consulting firm. Monda's husky rendering of operative Zach Balfour adds to his masculine strength while keeping his tone caring and protective. Overall, Monda's performance keeps up with the fast pace of the action, yet she deftly slows things down for the steamy scenes when Jill and Zach act upon their mutual attraction. K.M.D. © AudioFile 2008, Portland, Maine [Published: AUGUST 2008]