WHEN THE WOMEN COME OUT TO DANCE

The ever popular Leonard turns his pen to the creation of strong female characters, with gratifying results. Tough, canny, risk-taking ladies challenge society, authority, and moral codes when they attempt murder, arson, and, of course, romance. Narrator Taye Diggs, in particular, brings a brisk and buttery delivery to Leonard's hard-edged prose. The stories flow in a stream of uncompromising plot and taut emotion, leaving the listener wondering if one character will not only sleep with the detective, but get away with burning her house down; if the wealthy wife will survive doing away with her husband; and more. Diggs's performance is restrained but resonant, and Leonard fans will be pleased to find familiar characters resurfacing. D.J.B.
(c) AudioFile 2004, Portland, Maine [Published: APR/MAY 04]