THE ESPERANZA FIRE Arson, Murder and the Agony of Engine 57

As a devastating fire rages through a swath of California land, thousands of acres and homes are caught in its path. Several firefighters are killed. John Maclean puts together three parts of the same story: the fire itself; a biographical look at those who fought, and died, fighting it; and the capture of the man who was eventually convicted for igniting the blaze. Narrator Pete Larkin adapts well. At times, he keeps to a tone as straight as his narration when someone is being quoted. Other times, though, he imitates a character's voice in his own way. His best--unique and seemingly befitting--is the slightly dumbed-down voice of the arsonist whom investigators track and bring to justice. Larkin brings a theatrical style, respectfully, to the narration of this true story. M.B. © AudioFile 2013, Portland, Maine [Published: OCTOBER 2013]