Audio

This third title in Alexander's "Fountain Creek Chronicles" continues the story of the various inhabitants of this Reconstruction-era Western town that was begun in Revealed and Rekindled. Unwillingly, Véronique Girard has traveled from Paris, France, to Fountain Creek to keep the deathbed promise she made to her mother to find her father, who left the family 25 years ago, when Véronique was only four. Though she and her mother were servants in the employ of a noble family in Paris, Véronique feels that she and her culture are superior to the uncouth Westerners. Jack Brennan, whom we met briefly in Revealed, has recently retired from 15 years of leading wagon trains across the prairie. He is definitely unmpressed when he meets Véronique but is forced to drive her to various mining camps around the area to search for her father. He considers her a spoiled rich girl; she thinks he is much too familiar with his employer. It is great fun watching the reluctant romance and grudging respect grow between these two very different people. Alexander shows Véronique's gradual growth as a person and a Christian with a great deal of humor and understanding. However, the high point is the narration by Barbara McCulloh; conversations between Jack and Véronique are marvelous examples of her versatility as she switches seamlessly from French accent to Western drawl. An excellent interpretation; this program is recommended for fiction collections in public and church libraries.—Nancy Reed, Immanuel Baptist Church Lib., Paducah, KY

Puss 'n Cahoots is nominally the 14th "Mrs. Murphy" mystery featuring Mary Minor "Harry" Haristeen; her new husband, Fair; and their crime-solving pets, the felines Mrs. Murphy and Pewter and the corgi Tee Tucker. However, this book is very short on mystery and very long on the tedious lectures, personal diatribes, and political harangues that have become the pattern in Brown's last few efforts. In the current outing, the Haristeens and their four-legged companions are visiting friends in Shelbyville, KY, to attend the Saddlebred horse show, which is disrupted by a stolen piece of jewelry, a murdered groom, a horse-napping, and an INS raid. Yet none of the "mysteries" are solved by the heroes, either human or animal. Even the talking pets themselves (beloved by Brown fans) are becoming tedious, no longer wiser and more dignified than their owners. The reading by Kate Forbes is excellent but doesn't by itself justify purchase. Not recommended.—Kristen L. Smith, Loras Coll. Lib., Dubuque, IA

Police detective Archie Sheridan has been on sick leave for almost two years after being kidnapped and tortured by serial killer Gretchen Lowell. The appearance of a new killer brings Archie back to work. While Archie attends to the new case, he continues to visit Gretchen in prison; her psychological hold over him remains as she doles out the names of her 200 victims, one by one. Then a local high school teacher is found dead. Was he the new killer committing suicide, or is it a setup? Cain (Confessions of a Teen Sleuth) resides in Portland, OR, where her story is set, and this gives richness to her descriptions. Her characters are spooky, with lots of quirks and human failings. Well read by Carolyn McCormick, Heartsick is recommended for general fiction collections. [BBC Audiobooks America also has a version available: 9 CDs. unabridged. 13 hrs. 2007. ISBN 978-0-7927-5022-2. $89.95.—Ed.]—Joanna M. Burkhardt, Coll. of Continuing Education Lib., Univ. of Rhode Island, Providence

Eggers's well-received second novel, a moving first-person account based on the true experiences of Sudanese "lost boy" Valentino Achak Deng, makes an excellent audiobook. When Valentino was seven, his native Dinka village of Marial Bai was raided by Arab militiamen, sending him off on a strange and harrowing journey through depths of terror and despair, toward refuge in Ethiopia, Kenya, and, finally, the illusory promised land of America. Reading in a clear, convincingly expansive African cadence that is a pleasure to the ear, Dion Graham sounds all the right notes of bewilderment, fear, discovery, mirth, and joy in Valentino's coming-of-age in the Kakuma refugee camp and his abrupt exodus to the land of plenty, catching both the otherness and the universality of his experience and providing a compelling personal window on an ongoing global tragedy. A rewarding purchase for libraries of any size.—David Wright, Seattle P.L.

This collection of Fitzgerald stories begins with the fantastical and ironic tale in which the protagonist experiences his lifetime in reverse by aging backward. The comical and lighthearted nature of the story and the pleasant narration by Scott Brick underscore a text that, through defamiliarization, deals with issues of discrimination and the class structure of the antebellum South. Benjamin is a 70-year-old man at birth and a barely conscious infant at death. In the meantime, he marries the sought-after Daisy; has a son, who eventually becomes his "uncle"; is rejected by Yale at 18 because he looks 50; and becomes a star football player at Harvard as a young man passing for a college freshman. The other noteworthy pieces include "Babylon Revisited"—set in 1930s Paris—which deals with Charlie Wale's remorsefulness for disreputable, alcohol-induced decisions made in the heady days before the stock market crash. Reader Ray Porter seamlessly shifts among the characters' diverse emotions. "Three Hours Between Planes," read by Jeff Cummings; "The Bridal Party," by Grover Gardner; and "The Lost Decade," by Paul Michael Garcia, showcase Fitzgerald's preoccupation with lost chances, lost love, and the inevitable passage of time mirrored by the country's growth into imperial adulthood. Strong stories from a canonized American master combined with likable and easily listenable interpretations make this set essential for libraries of any size. A forthcoming film adaptation of the title story, starring Brad Pitt, is scheduled for 2008.—Christopher Rager, Pasadena, CA

Dismas Hardy appears again in Lescroart's (The Vig) San Francisco-based thriller. Married, with an infant girl and another child on the way, he now works as an assistant district attorney, handling routine cases and climbing the bureaucratic ladder. The murder of a high-powered Silicon Valley executive thrusts Dismas into the media spotlight. When the original suspect, the dead man's Japanese mistress, is exonerated, the authorities turn to another of the mistress's clients, a respected judge and Dismas's former father-in-law. Dismas switches from prosecutor to defender to prove the judge's innocence. Many characters from The Vig reappear here, and Lescroart provides excellent background through his descriptions of San Francisco and enough plot twists to hold the listener's attention. Reader David Colacci does a workmanlike job; recommended for all audio collections.—Stephen L. Hupp, West Virginia Univ. Lib., Parkersburg

Phoebe MacNamara found her calling when she was a hostage at the age of 12: she now is Savannah, GA, PD's top negotiator. She crosses paths with Duncan Swift while talking down a jumper who was one of his former employees. Duncan is intrigued by Phoebe's drive and commitment, and she feels the same way about him, but she comes with a lot of baggage, including an agoraphobic mother and a seven-year-old daughter. Worse, lurking around the corner is someone who wants Phoebe to pay for past sins, and he doesn't care who dies in the process. Narrator Susan Ericksen wrings tears and laughter and incites anger and fear all with impressive ease. She becomes Phoebe, while her Duncan is suave, fun, ambitious, and smart, rolled into an attractive package. His drawl is a constant comfort. Roberts created a blockbuster, and Ericksen amplifies it with spot-on narration. Essential for public libraries.—Jodi L. Israel, MLS, Salt Lake City

The latest mystery featuring Paterson, NJ, defense lawyer Andy Carpenter is a blast. After adopting a dog from an animal shelter, Andy learns the dog may be the clue to solving a five-year-old murder of a customs inspector's fiancée. Andy decides to conduct his own investigation, which leads to meetings with the mafia, multiple attempts on his life, and some explosive courtroom scenes. But the minimalist plot is secondary to the excellent protagonist; his relaxed perception of his job and life is amusing and appealing and will draw in even the most jaded mystery fan. Play Dead listeners will garner plenty of laugh-out-loud moments as well as trite one liner-induced groans. Reader Grover Gardner is worthy of the myriad awards he has won; his laid-back, humorous approach will win over new listeners and surely please old fans. Recommended.—Jesse Light, Memorial Hall Lib., Andover, MA

Former South African mercenary Con Niemand stumbles upon a politically explosive videotape in this fast-paced thriller. Among the many characters crossing paths with Con as he tries to auction off his find are John Anselm, a former journalist, once held hostage in the Middle East, now working for a surveillance agency in Hamburg, and Caroline Wishart, a London reporter specializing in sensational stories. Australian Temple illustrates how, in the post-Cold War world, information can be as deadly as weapons. His exciting yarn is reminiscent of Jack Higgins and Gerald Seymour at their best, with a dash of Ken Follett sexiness, though the numerous characters and settings demand close attention. Nicholas Bell provides a spirited reading, with a plethora of convincing accents. Highly recommended for popular collections.—Michael Adams, CUNY Graduate Ctr.

Actor Underwood has written a steamy mystery of the hard-boiled genre, set in Hollywood's rap culture. Tennyson (Ten) Hardwick, out-of-work actor, martial arts expert, and former gigolo, finds himself the top suspect in the murder of successful rap artist "Afrodite." Ten knew her well and loved her as Serena before her rap star days. When they run into each other by chance, Ten casually gives her his card for a chance at an acting job and returns with her to her apartment for a sexual encounter that is described explicitly. The next day, he is confronted by stern police officers who ask him about his movements during the past 24 hours. Afrodite has been killed, and his best defense is to find the real killer, but this decision brings Ten into contact with a past he would rather forget and with corrupt cops who would just as soon kill him as arrest him. Mounting fear and violence, ironic humor, and lots of foreshadowing make for a gripping story. Richard Allen uses his deep, musical voice to portray a cultured, self-confident Ten and departs from this voice into believable tough guys and gals, a Polish policeman, and an Asian madam, to name a few. Recommended for listeners who would appreciate the hard-boiled mystery brought into the 21st century.—Juleigh Muirhead Clark, John D. Rockefeller Jr. Lib., Colonial Williamsburg Fdn., VA

Professor Gates has created an excellent guide for all would-be genealogists in this companion piece to the PBS documentary Oprah's Roots. From beginning to end, Gates uses clear examples to provide listeners with a solid framework for conducting their own genealogical expedition. This work has special significance for African American researchers as it delves into the challenges of tracing slave ancestors prior to the end of the Civil War and emancipation. The author emphasizes the importance of gathering and confirming as much oral history as one can and cites excellent print and online tools. Gates notes that trips to historical societies and cemeteries can be invaluable, but getting started in genealogical research doesn't have to be expensive. As one of the most popular and influential women in the world today, it is fascinating to learn about Oprah's family, her childhood, and the accomplishments of her forebears. Gates successfully emphasizes the importance of accurate research as he relates how a team of historians and geneticists were able to trace Winfrey's lineage back to Africa. Narrator Dominic Hoffman executes this gem of a book with a comfortable and polished delivery. Highly recommended for all public libraries.—Valerie Piechocki, Prince George's Cty. Memorial Lib., Largo, MD

Here is the fascinating history of the Carlisle Indian Industrial School and its founder, regular U.S. Army officer and abolitionist Richard Henry Pratt, and the influence of the team on the game of football. Many will find the story of the closing of the American frontier, the defeat of the Native tribes, and their placement on reservations to be more interesting than the football craze of the late 1800s. The grudging acceptance by whites that Indians were not "savages" was hastened by the kind of football the Carlisle Indians played. Outweighed by more than 20 pounds per man each game, the Indians succeeded through speed, teamwork, and innovation (wing-T formation, double wing, forward pass). They also displayed sportsmanship, "out gentlemanning" their white opponents in an era in which slugging and eye-gouging the other team were the norm. Read by Don Leslie, this program is recommended for sports, history, or Native American collections.—Cliff Glaviano, Bowling Green State Univ. Libs., OH

Generally, histories of China's Long March (1934–35) detail the men who participated. This treatise focuses on 30 amazing women and profiles three in-depth: He Zizhen, Mao's second wife; Kan Keqing, called Girl Commander; and Wang Quanyuan, a peasant. The authors, Australian China scholars, include a detailed appendix on each of the 30 women and explanatory prologs. The moving chronology reveals that a good number of the women were sold by their parents; even sadder, many were said to have had numerous babies who were abandoned. Other small but telling details include how they each would elaborately describe delicious foods-spirit food—when food was scarce and how those who had bound feet removed the bindings but walked with great difficulty. Nothing was beyond these courageous women; some are still alive. Stephanie Daniel's skillful presentation and wonderful accent enhance this important work; for large libraries and all Asia collections.—Susan G. Baird, Chicago

Sessums, a contributing editor at Allure magazine, understood instinctively that he was somehow different, somehow not the child his father wanted. One of his earliest memories is of requesting that his mother, grandmother, and aunts make him a skirt from the fabrics his mother was using to make herself maternity clothes. Sessums's father, a regional sports figure, wasn't thrilled by having "a sissy" for a son but did nonetheless love his child in a stern and a distant way. By the age of eight, Sessums had lost both of his parents. In many ways, his grandparents indulged his love of pop culture; they also understood that he was both homosexual and liberal long before either word became acceptable in polite society in Forest, MS. As a young man Sessums had the good fortune of being taken under the wing of Frank Hains and Eudora Welty—both of whom encouraged his love of the arts and literature. Finding himself accepted by a larger world, Sessums was able to turn his grief into writing and find the inner strength to build a life for himself outside of the region. Recommended for libraries with large collections of gay literature and Southern memoir.—Pam Kingsbury, Univ. of North Alabama, Florence

This audiobook contains three of the many radio interviews the late Vonnegut gave to literary critic Walter James Miller over several decades. The selection includes interviews recorded in 1971, 1983, and 2006, covering a broad span of the author's career and presenting his views on such works as The Sirens of Titan, Slaughterhouse-Five, and A Man Without a Country. Vonnegut discusses his writing process, his thoughts on literature and the arts in general, and his own place in the literary canon. This rare opportunity to hear Vonnegut speak is recommended for all general collections. Whether it is accurate to call this CD "essential" or not, it would clearly make a meaty and worthwhile addition to any library's collection of Vonnegut books.—R. Kent Rasmussen, Thousand Oaks, CA