HARDCASE

Nameless, Pronzini's veteran private eye, finally ties the knot with his longtime love, Kerry. Happiness is tempered with danger when a case involving an adopted child who wants more information about her birth parents becomes complex, with the discovery of serial murder and terrible secrets. Pronzini produces, as usual, an engrossing mystery while creating and sustaining complex characters. At first, John Michalski's narration is almost overwhelming: booming and brusque. As the listener becomes accustomed to his style, and he settles into the story, subtlety in his expressions of characters emerges. His forthright emotions and handling of understated personalities (like Kerry) keep the action real and make the frightening conclusion truly immediate. Although his Nameless may not be as restrained as some readers imagine, this full-bodied performance works well with the action and tension of the novel. M.A.M. (c) AudioFile 2002, Portland, Maine [Published: OCT/ NOV 02]