THE BEAST MUST DIE

Nicholas Blake's mysteries are a welcome addition to audiobooks and a chance for listeners to become acquainted with the carefully plotted literary work of Poet Laureate Cecil Day Lewis, who used this pseudonym in the 1930s and '40s. Nigel Strangeways, Blake's amateur detective, is succinctly portrayed by Steven Crossley. He captures the articulate, clever and exuberant Strangeways and gives the minor characters just the right amount of accent and personality. Crossley's narration is a perfect fit for THE BEAST MUST DIE. The story follows the scheme of a mystery writer who plots the demise of a careless driver who killed his son in an accident. A great choice for listeners who enjoy the more cerebral side of mysteries. R.F.W. © AudioFile 2000, Portland, Maine [Published: AUG/SEP 00]