RED HARVEST

Listening to a well-read Dashiell Hammett novel is like hearing a movie for the ears. His fast-paced plots, crisp dialogue, and evocative descriptions translate well to audio. Narrator Richard Ferrone perfectly complements Hammett's hard-boiled style in this story of murder and civic corruption. Ferrone gives the main character, the Continental Op, just the right note of weariness and worldliness without making him a caricature. His voice has a kind of smoker’s roughness that exactly suits the San Francisco detective. He also gives other characters distinctive voices, which gives additional life to the story. Ferrone's pacing is good, especially in his use of pauses to add drama. The novel was first published in 1929, a year before the more celebrated MALTESE FALCON. It isn’t as intricately plotted as the better-known novel, but it’s an enjoyable audio experience. R.C.G. Winner of AudioFile Earphones Award © AudioFile 2011, Portland, Maine [Published: OCTOBER 2011]