DIFFERENT WOMEN DANCING

This is a dark and unflinching look at London's criminal underworld, something quite different for Jonathan Gash, of Lovejoy fame. Dense with street jargon and British slang, peopled with a large cast of characters, this would be a difficult story to follow if not for the careful reading by Paul Martin. Switching flawlessly from one distinguishing accent to the next, Martin makes sure you get the gist, even while you're wondering what the heck he's talking about. Especially impressive is his portrayal of the principal character, a male prostitute named Bonn. He turns Bonn into a Svengali, mesmerizing women and persuading them into believing they're the most desirable creatures alive. For the American reader, I think this would be a more satisfying story to listen to than to read. D.G. © AudioFile 2001, Portland, Maine [Published: APR/MAY 01]