THE TRUTH ABOUT THE HARRY QUEBERT AFFAIR

Pierce Cravens is an accomplished narrator, but even his best efforts prove insufficient to make this book an enjoyable audio experience. Although offering an interesting premise, a young author seeks to solve a thirty-year-old mystery and clear the name of a beloved mentor, Dicker's lengthy text involving improbable plot twists and stereotypical characters causes more confusion than intrigue. Cravens's brisk pace and clarity of tone are helpful in advancing the action, and his range of accents and pitch allows personalities to develop, but even with this assist the story fails. However, it’s the stilted dialogue that grates most harshly and proves a challenge even Cravens cannot surmount. Perhaps a victim of poor translation (from French), this novel is not an enjoyable listen. M.O.B. © AudioFile 2014, Portland, Maine [Published: AUGUST 2014]