BAG OF BONES

"The devil is in the details." After the sudden death of his wife, successful author Mike Noonan is acutely aware of details--the ephemera of her life, the vivid images of his dreams, questions about the last months before her death. Author/narrator King uses careful scene-setting to lead us into the sensible, rational world of Noonan's home and family. Then, he slowly moves into an unreal world where the coincidences become spooky events and shadowy spirits, both good and evil, emerge. The slow revelation is so chilling it gets under your skin and drives the story. Noonan's efforts to help a young woman and her child become a key to dark secrets in their lakeside community. King's twangy voice takes some getting used to, but he's deft with the Maine accents, the conventions of speech and the endearing jumbled speech of 4-year-old Kira Devore. King has what he calls the "temperature gradient" of the characters and indeed he conveys this with precision. The slightly unpolished delivery, an occasional hesitancy and a storyteller's intimacy make the first-person narrative especially real. The program is enhanced with great blues music, and King even sings a few bars. These additions are thoughtful and don't overshadow or divert at all. Another unique audio feature is a substantial interview between producer Eve Beglarian and King after the novel's conclusion. Lively and informal, it's almost as if King has stopped by your book group to talk about his new book. This new novel is a treat both for King fans and for listeners who haven't read his work. King's brilliance at storytelling has never been better. R.F.W. ©AudioFile, Portland, Maine [Published: OCT/NOV 98]