THE ANATOMIST'S APPRENTICE

Simon Vance gives this mystery the same treatment he would give to a towering work of world literature. His performance is scrupulously prepared, each character is recognizable the moment he or she speaks, and the pacing, whether measured or feverish, is perfectly appropriate to the needs of the drama. And drama there is, most of it melo-. Most turns of the corkscrew plot have to do with the nascent science of forensics in Georgian England. Think CSI meets Poldark meets Barbara Cartland—but more forensics and less plot for plot’s sake would have been welcome here. No bodices are actually harmed in the course of this folderol, but reason and the most rudimentary psychology or plausibility are hit pretty hard. Nevertheless, Vance’s performance shines. B.G. © AudioFile 2012, Portland, Maine [Published: APRIL 2012]