THE ANDALUCIAN FRIEND

A mysterious gunrunner, angry Russians, and a controlled woman who heads a secret police force with a drug-addled subordinate are among the many characters in this violent thriller. In its crosshairs are an innocent nurse and her son. It takes a while for things to heat up--both for Gildart Jackson's narration and the plot. The story picks up its pace as Jackson crafts voices for the large number of diverse characters. Among the best are Lars, a member of the secret force, whose shaky voice is perfect for his lack of confidence, and Gunilla, his boss, whose deliberate tone reflects her calm demeanor. Jackson develops the narration well, alternating between an English accent for the narrative and diverse character voices. M.B. © AudioFile 2013, Portland, Maine [Published: APRIL 2013]