WHEN WALLFLOWERS DIE

Narrator Susie Breck is faced with a challenging task in this mystery—voicing a detective who is suffering from a fierce head cold. Breck manages deftly, making Montana private investigator Phoebe Siegel sound realistically congested and tired without distracting listeners from the decades-old murder she’s investigating. This production feels abundantly three-dimensional through the use of sound effects that mimic the muffled quality of phone calls and the resonance of a shout outdoors. The production is peppered with these effects, which draw listeners straight into the action. As Phoebe dives deeper into what becomes two unsolved murders, the story develops into a taut political thriller. Audiobook enthusiasts who enjoy well-developed mysteries will surely be pleased. J.T. © AudioFile 2009, Portland, Maine [Published: SEPTEMBER 2009]