ALTAR OF EDEN

This latest James Rollins offering, a science-based thriller, brings his fans the fast-pace and violence they’ve come to expect. However, the performance of narrator Paula Christensen may not meet listeners' expectations as readily. The shortcoming is not with pace, intensity, or clarity, which are all appropriate to the text. The challenge arises with the characters as the action careens through many settings—from Baghdad to the Louisiana bayous. Christensen's rendering of the various required accents lacks authenticity and consistency, with the Cajun inflections being the most troublesome. Although this weakness may not prove enough of a distraction to spoil the audio experience for all, some listeners may find the print version of this book more enjoyable. M.O.B. © AudioFile 2010, Portland, Maine [Published: APRIL 2010]