CROSSFIRE

Martin Jarvis and Dick Francis have been a winning combination for some time, and this latest and last (Francis died recently) is no exception. Back from Afghanistan minus a foot, Tom Forsyth discovers that his mother, a prominent racehorse trainer, is being blackmailed. His investigation and a budding romance give him a new purpose in life. Jarvis’s vocal characterizations are beyond wonderful, especially the mother, a haughty harridan who mellows, and the stiff-upper-lip industrialist, who aids Tom. There’s also a stableful of other friends and foes. The characters’ various British accents enliven a gripping story. One can hear Tom’s developing maturity and self-confidence as he calls on his military training to outwit the blackmailers. Let’s hope Francis’s son, Felix, will carry on the family tradition. J.B.G. Winner of AudioFile Earphones Award © AudioFile 2010, Portland, Maine [Published: OCTOBER 2010]