THE BOY IN THE RED DRESS

Narrator Sophie Amoss gives voice to a headstrong amateur sleuth in this intriguing historical whodunit. On New Year’s Eve, 1929, a debutante is found murdered outside of the Cloak & Dagger, a speakeasy and LGBTQIA haven in New Orleans. The main suspect is Marion, the club’s headlining drag performer. But Millie, the club owner’s niece and Marion’s best friend, is determined to prove his innocence by sussing out the real culprit. Amoss gives her husky, understated narration a wry edge, effectively communicating Millie’s blend of teenage naïveté and worldly confidence. Some characters are portrayed with distinctive voices (though there are curiously few Southern accents), but none are obtrusive. These qualities allow listeners to remain grounded in Millie’s first-person perspective. An engaging and inclusive audio mystery. R.A.H. © AudioFile 2020, Portland, Maine [Published: JUNE 2020]