THE MODERN SCIENCE OF THIEF-TAKING

This curious collection of crime stories by Charles Dickens starts strong: "Dr. Manette's Manuscript" and "Hunted Down" are Dickensian gems beautifully rendered by Tom Teti. Teti handles language, character and mood with aplomb. As the collection moves into pieces on "the modern science of thief-taking, stories of 19th century London detectives," Teti's skill remains strong, but the stories themselves wane, and the presentation loses its power. Still, Teti distinctly characterizes each of the officers, who are purportedly the first plain clothes police in literature. If one can derive pleasure out of discovering these early shards, the entire collection may be worthwhile. C.T. ©AudioFile, Portland, Maine [Published: OCT 92]