THE WILL

Daniels's reading is a testament that a good book can be elevated to greatness by a sterling performance. A young Chicago lawyer returns to his Kansas birthplace to administer a will drawn up by his father, a local lawyer now deceased. The will was written for the town's richest and most prominent citizen, who left most of his wealth to the bird man--a homeless man who has wandered city streets for 25 years. As the plot unfolds, the lawyer uncovers a conspiracy and unearths secrets buried for decades. Daniels's capable performance is first-rate. His terse voice is pleasing to the ear, making his characters varied and believable. His fluid reading keeps the listener alert even during those few moments when the plot falters. A.L.H. © AudioFile 2001, Portland, Maine [Published: APR/MAY 01]