THE PALACE GUARD

Charlotte MacLeod's classy Boston series always delights. Here Sarah Kelling and Max Bittersohn wade into circumstances of museum forgery and murder with a zest that is hard to resist. The wackiness of Beacon Hill denizens and a gentle satire of a well-known museum are rather lost on Mary Peiffer. Her labored attempts to portray the various eccentrics are disconcerting. But at times she does find a character for which her not inconsiderable talents are worthy. The charming ersatz Countess Ouspenska is lovingly done--fake accent and all. Still, Sarah and Max suffer from the breathy tones of characters not quite sure who they really are. MacLeod prevails, but a more secure reader might be beneficial. S.B.S. © AudioFile 2001, Portland, Maine [Published: AUG/ SEP 01]