PORTRAIT OF EMILY PRICE

Narrator Kate Rudd provides a blend of sentimentality, sweetness, and dissatisfaction as the voice of art restorer Emily Price. Emily finds much more than Southern charm during a restoration assignment in Atlanta, where she meets chef Benito Vissallo (Ben). The warmth and tenderness in Rudd's portrayal of Emily makes for a credible and sympathetic protagonist. Although some of her other character voices are hard to differentiate at times, Rudd's smooth, deep tones highlight Ben's soothing seductiveness and the tension between family members. Noticeable editing creates some overly long pauses and tonal inconsistencies at times. Still, Emily's efforts to restore paintings and the lives of those around her are both earnest and entertaining. M.F. © AudioFile 2017, Portland, Maine [Published: FEBRUARY 2017]