COLD IN THE EARTH

Third in a series, this modern-day British mystery features Detective Inspector Alan Marby and his plucky girlfriend, Meredith Mitchell. When bodies start turning up at a local construction site, Meredith steps in, claiming to be doing research for a fictitious pamphlet about a church that once stood on the site. She soon worms her way into the neighbors' houses and their lives, uncovering all manner of deceptions, old family hatreds, and drug dealings. Judith Boyd does a first-rate job as narrator, handling the many accents of dour farmers, comic pub owners, eccentric old ladies, and plummy lawyers with dexterity. She has beautiful pronunciation, round and strong and clear, which ensures you don't miss a word. She also maintains a light tone throughout, never turning grim but managing to keep you on the edge. D.G. © AudioFile 2001, Portland, Maine [Published: JUN/JUL 01]