THE MARK The Beast Rules the World

The eighth book of the popular Christian adventure series Left Behind covers the resurrection of the Antichrist, Nicholae Carpathia, and the events surrounding his order that everyone receive the mark of the beast--a tattoo and implanted microchip. Anyone refusing the mark will be guillotined. Frank Muller treats this story like the ripping adventure it is. Each character bears a distinct dialect, and Muller’s mastery of various foreign accents outshines even his trademark pacing and tonal variations. Muller’s performance is better than any movie. Carpathia is quietly evil, Rayford Steele honestly fights his inner demons, while Hattie finally slays her own. Muller’s best portrayal is Leon Fortunato, a totally believable Brooklyn street thug, misguidedly but devotedly following the wrong leader. Muller makes us care about these people and look forward to his performance of the next installment. R.P.L. Winner of AUDIOFILE Earphones Award. © AudioFile 2001, Portland, Maine [Published: APR/MAY 01]