TRIPWIRE

Lee Child drops listeners inside a zone of suspense protected by tripwires--warning devices that alert their makers of intruders. The taut, carefully orchestrated thriller is Child's third featuring ex-military policeman Jack Reacher. Narrator Dick Hill presents an astute audio portrait of the tough, complex hero with a penchant for trouble he didn't ask for. Hill read both Child's DIE TRYING and KILLING FLOOR and his familiarity with Jack Reacher and his macho combination of heroism and good-heartedness make the listener feel just as comfortable with this intriguing series. The rich, gritty characters provide Hill with ample opportunity to make sound portraits. He's brilliant at offering the ebb and flow of danger and suspense. Talking with Lee Child, AUDIOFILE discovered the author's theatrical background in commercial TV and voice work. He takes a true professional interest in his audiobooks, but doesn't want to jump right in and read them himself. He's not even tempted, and, as he notes, his British accent isn't right at all for the solidly American characters. Child admires Dick Hill's performances and says he's gratified to have such a qualified narrator to deliver his books into audio. Listeners will likely agree. Hill captures the essence of each character yet never neglects the rich texture of detail in the narrative. Not to mention the highly charged suspense--there's no chance of missing that. R.F.W. ©AudioFile, Portland, Maine [Published: JUN/JUL 99]