WRACK

An Australian archaeologist named David delves deeply into the mystery of a sixteenth-century Portuguese ship, reportedly wrecked off the coast of New South Wales. Bradley's lyrical prose tells a complex story of obsessive love during WWII, fascinating mapmaking lore, the challenges of digging for a fabled sunken wreck, fiercely rivalrous empires, continental discovery, and murder. Humphrey Bower adroitly captures David's palpable frustration and ambition as he impatiently holds vigil over the dying recluse Kurt, listening to his rambling reminiscences and hoping for a hint of the ship's location. Bower’s light Australian accent subtly segues to Kurt's hoarseness and a female doctor’s Indian accent while slowly and deliberately revealing clue after clue. Bower captures the intensity of David's passion for archaeological discovery, and the story’s overarching theme of conquest and love, as the novel builds to its enthralling climax. A.W. Winner of AudioFile Earphones Award © AudioFile 2009, Portland, Maine [Published: AUGUST 2009]