DEAD MAN'S HAND Crime Fiction at the Poker Table

This trio of narrators hits the mark. Poker and crime play a role in these short stories, which come to life with their deft narrations. Many of the authors are well known; for example, Joyce Carol Oates, Laura Lippman, and Michael Connelly. For the characters at a party in "Pitch Black," narrator Keith Sellon-Wright creates an exceptional range of voices, alternating mostly between an unlikable, gruff-voiced guitar player and a teen coming of age. Gail Shalan puts appropriate emotion into the frantic girl and teen boys in "Strip Poker." And Leon Nixon's deep, serious voice perfectly fits the main character in "Mr. In-Between." Thankfully, this collection doesn't get into the weeds of poker, so even listeners who don't play will enjoy it. M.B. © AudioFile 2022, Portland, Maine [Published: FEBRUARY 2022]