QUIET DESPERATION

Author Martino diverges from his outstanding young adult sports series with this adult short story. Marcus Copper, a New Jersey alcoholic, gambler, and former high school jock, meets The Stranger in a Manhattan bar. Narrator Patrick Lawlor deftly inhabits each character in the story. Marcus sounds believably uncertain, weak, and desperate. The Stranger comes off as charming as he manipulates Marcus's naïveté and desire be rich. Lawlor's portrayal of Stone Redmond reflects the arrogance of the big-mouthed comedian who is trying to opt out of his recording contract with the brilliant and threatening Mikhail Kosloff. Soon Marcus agrees to commit vehicular homicide. Lawlor notably captures Kosloff's heavy Russian accent and man-of-the-world persona. An unexpected and ironic conclusion adds to the listener's enjoyment. S.G.B. © AudioFile 2013, Portland, Maine [Published: MAY 2013]