GOODNIGHT, IRENE

Jan Burke's Irene Kelly mysteries continue as the Southern California reporter finds herself investigating the death of a friend who was a journalist. Soon she falls into the same trap that had him obsessed since 1955—an unsolved murder involving an unidentified female body. While the story is exciting and original, the narration leaves much to be desired. Eliza Foss reads with such a forced tone that it makes it hard to take this story seriously. Delving too far into character, Foss comes off sounding strained and monotonous, at times even robotic. As a result, the story has no tension or mystery—no intrigue or suspense. It’s a testament to how overacting can ruin a good story. L.B. © AudioFile 2008, Portland, Maine [Published: NOVEMBER 2008]