A BEAUTIFUL PLACE TO DIE

Saul Reichlin's vocal definition helps the listener keep track of the multiethnic characters in this story of murder, molestation, and hypocrisy in 1952 South Africa. White detective Emmanuel Cooper investigates the killing of an Afrikaner police chief whose sons don't want any interference. Add "coloreds" of all hues, the brutal Special Branch police, a mysterious Jewish doctor-in-hiding, and an abundance of villagers—and you have a potentially explosive situation. Cooper himself has personal conflicts that are well brought out. Reichlin uses elegant diction most of the time, lets off steam occasionally, and gives the climactic scene plenty of juice. Filmmaker Nunn must be pleased with this dramatic performance of her first novel. J.B.G. © AudioFile 2009, Portland, Maine [Published: MAY 2009]