BLACK IRISH

David Lawrence shines in this intense thriller. When police detective Absalom "Abbie" Kearney returns to her hometown to care for her ailing father, she soon finds herself hunting for a gruesome serial killer while confronting secrets about her own dark past. Although the main character is female, Lawrence doesn't shy away from the smooth, deep tones of his voice, a practice that not only works but is refreshing. He keeps to a relatively steady pace throughout, even as the action picks up. It's another technique that works surprising well, serving to create more tension as this suspenseful mystery reaches its surprising ending. M.D. © AudioFile 2013, Portland, Maine [Published: MAY 2013]