THE RIVER KING

The students of the elite Haddan School and the local people from the Massachusetts town rarely interact, except when the school needs to keep occurrences quiet and discreet. However, decades of mysterious events bind them together more than the current students and faculty know. Hoffman's tale winds through their lives drawing clear images of the crisp morning air and the inky darkness of the woods. Laural Merlington's elegant, fluid style perfectly evokes Hoffman's scenes and characters. Her voice is rich, melodic and captures a full, compassionate sense of each character. Merlington takes the mystical elements in stride, making them more believable and haunting. A compelling addition to Hoffman's audiobooks. R.F.W. © AudioFile 2000, Portland, Maine [Published: AUG/SEP 00]