MISSING JOSEPH

Elizabeth George's latest mystery involves parents, wives and lovers intertwined in a small English village with Inspector Lynley on his own. Many characters and subplots are laid out quickly at the beginning, but the abridgment doesn't allow much follow-through. The musical interludes obviously cover great gaps of plot and character development. Jacobi delivers a professional, clear narration with feeling for both the male and female characters. His reading of the spiritual passages adds a lyrical aspect, and he projects George's use of weather to set the stage with good effect. The presentation is a tantalizing introduction to Elizabeth George but doesn't succeed on its own. R.F.W. ©AudioFile, Portland, Maine [Published: SEPT 93]