PLEASING THE DEAD

Bernadette Dunne's narration of this Hawaiian thriller is pleasing to the ear and snappy enough to keep listener attention throughout. In this fourth in Atkinson’s series, Honolulu lawyer Storm Kayama travels to Maui to advise a new client on the legalities of opening a new dive shop. Soon Storm encounters an explosion, a murder-suicide, a stalker, and connections to the Yakuza, the Japanese Mafia. Thanks to the author, listeners get a subtle dose of Hawaiian mythology and local culture, and a taste of skin-diving adventure as well. Dunne handles the numerous accents called for and makes Storm crackle with life. She’s highly credible in the male roles as well. A.L.H. © AudioFile 2009, Portland, Maine [Published: MAY 2009]