FALSE PRETENCES

Bea Abbott is an outstanding role model for older women, and narrator Patience Tomlinson presents her to perfection. The Abbott Agency provides domestic help, not detectives, but Bea seems to attract trouble despite herself. Her staff of young people assists as she takes on a powerful charity. Tomlinson enhances each of Heley's well-drawn figures. The range of good and evil is impressive, with the villain being another older woman who sounds totally believable. Bea’s thought processes sound true to life, and her spiritual side is touchingly portrayed. This British production is a mystery with much more—in all, an outstanding audio experience. S.G.B. © AudioFile 2011, Portland, Maine [Published: APRIL 2011]