PEARL COVE

Black rainbow pearls inspire murder, theft, lust and international espionage after a devastating cyclone wipes out a small Australian pearl farm. Dick Hill keeps up with the racing (and racy) plot in spirited fashion. His American characters, particularly the Donovan men, are strong heroes. He stumbles over the women, particularly the story’s Australian heroine, Hannah McGarry. At times her accent is accurate, at others simpering, and occasionally absent. His Asians are more believable. Hill’s strongest performance comes in the erotic scenes between Archer and Hannah. From the sounds of it, he's participating, rather than narrating. If you're listening alone, it'll blow you away. But if someone else is with you, it could be embarrassing. R.P.L. © AudioFile 2000, Portland, Maine [Published: AUG/SEP 00]