THE ST. ZITA SOCIETY

Ruth Rendell is known for expanding upon her characters' personas, interrelationships, and intimacies, and this mystery is no exception. Its detailed and perceptive character development urges the listener to invest in the novel's many players. Narrator Carole Boyd delivers the human diversity this novel requires—achieving unique voices that range from the imperious tones of a "princess" to the babble of a baby and the lilt of a Pakistani. Rendell delves into the thought processes, grievances, and observations of a group of domestic servants in London's posh Pimlico area. As they gather at a pub named for their patron saint, an unfortunate accident spirals into psychological suspense and murder. Boyd's expressive range is entertaining throughout the lengthy building of the upstairs-downstairs connections, although the auditory fluctuations in the plethora of asides and whispers hinder ideal listening. A.W. © AudioFile 2012, Portland, Maine [Published: AUGUST 2012]