THE GATE HOUSE

DeMille returns to the gilded mansions of Long Island in this sequel to THE GOLD COAST (1990). Narrator Christian Rummel expertly characterizes Susan, the wealthy ex-wife of tax attorney John Sutter, who saunters back into his life following a torrid affair and her murder of powerful Mafia boss Frank Bellarosa. Rummel is most enjoyable affecting the local "lockjaw" pronunciations as the story mixes in "criminal" Italian accents just one generation removed from "deese" and "dose." Listening to this witty, entertaining novel, fans of DeMille will be hooked as they seek to find out if John and his estranged wife, the gloriously beautiful and crazy Susan, will ever find true happiness. R.O. © AudioFile 2008, Portland, Maine [Published: DECEMBER 2008]