SHOOT THE LAWYER TWICE

Actor and writer Malcolm Hillgartner has the sense of irony and the comic timing needed to bring out the best in Bowen's fourth mystery featuring attorney Reppert ("Rep") Pennyworth and his wife, a literature professor. With a madcap plot that includes jury tampering, forgery, piracy on the high seas, a kerfuffle at a Brontë Society conference, and the discovery of a WWII papal decree, Bowen's novel soars with adventure and intellectual wit. The two lead characters, modern-day incarnations of Nick and Nora Charles, lead listeners through the seedier sides of corporate deceit, legal wrangling, and political correctness. The complex subplots and clever banter may leave some listeners confused, but Hillgartner's energy, pace, and sensitivity to the characters make Bowen's writing come to life. S.E.S. © AudioFile 2009, Portland, Maine [Published: FEBRUARY 2009]