SPIRAL

Cornell physics professor Paul McEuen’s debut is a gripping biotech thriller. After a sluggish start, the story, which features spider-like nano-robots, picks up its pace dramatically, building to a climax that is both satisfying and surprising. Rob Shapiro’s narration parallels the novel’s development, beginning slowly and then picking up steam as the story kicks into high gear. Shapiro’s use of different voices is effective, particularly those of Orchid, a female assassin, and Hitoshi Kitano, who viewed Japan's surrender in WWII as a humiliation and is determined to exact revenge on America. Shapiro excels, in particular, with his depiction of Cornell researcher Jake Sterling, whose determination permeates his every syllable. D.J.S. © AudioFile 2011, Portland, Maine [Published: MAY 2011]