FLASH AND BONES

When Medical Examiner Tempe Brennan is called to Charlotte Motor Speedway to examine a body, things begin to go downhill fast. Her least favorite detective, Skinny Slidell—who has bad breath and is most definitely NOT skinny—is assigned to work the case with her. Barbara Rosenblat is a splendid narrator whose delivery is always on target. In addition to Tempe, her best character portrayal is that of Slidell—crude, sarcastic, and oozing malapropisms. Rosenblat delivers believable Southern accents, particularly that of Tempe's ex-husband's fiancée, who expounds upon their wedding plans to everyone who will listen, serving as comic relief when the body count rises. An interesting history of NASCAR and its female drivers as well as fascinating speedway lore add to the fun. S.G.B. © AudioFile 2011, Portland, Maine [Published: SEPTEMBER 2011]