THE SEVEN SINS The Tyrant Ascending

Patrick Lawlor has a daunting task in this latest from writer Jon Land—sadly, he doesn’t deliver his usual first-rate performance. What appears to be the beginning of a new series is a smorgasbord of subplots that the listener can hardly keep up with. The story introduces protagonist Michael Tiranno, a wealthy Las Vegas casino owner, and his lawyer, Naomi Burns. The plot begins by recounting the deaths of Tiranno's parents, then moves to the present day as four Las Vegas hotels are bombed by terrorists. Add some big-time gambling and an artifact with mysterious powers, and you have the mix. Lawlor hurries through the scenes, his narration overpowered by the action. His reading is too light for this complex story. A.L.H. © AudioFile 2008, Portland, Maine [Published: DECEMBER 2008]