THE PARDON

Ron McLarty has an unusual voice that lends itself to most of the characters; it's nasally and gravelly and makes them sound tough. But when McLarty raises his tones a couple of octaves to portray the bad guy, that character sounds ridiculous and unbelievable. Notwithstanding, he gives a credible reading of a lawyer's search for the real murderer of a young woman after his accused client is executed for the crime. The reader and writer are harmonious, especially during courtroom action when the lawyer himself is charged with a subsequent crime. A.L.H. (c) AudioFile 2001, Portland, Maine [Published: DEC/ JAN 02]