JOPLIN'S GHOST

Phoenix Smalls knows she’s about to hit it big in R&B music; she has a great contract, her supportive father as manager, and her record producer as her lover. But a visit to the Scott Joplin House in St. Louis brings a presence into her life that may derail her plans. Lizan Mitchell’s extraordinary narration is compelling, whether delivering the hip voices of the present or characters from the past. No matter the dialect, age, or gender, she captures the powerful emotions that permeate the story. The strength and dignity she brings to Scott Joplin and his world are moving and make the past as vivid as the present. The author’s ability to weave together suspense, history, and relationships, along with Mitchell’s vocal talents, makes this hard to put down. M.A.M. Winner of AudioFile Earphones Award © AudioFile 2006, Portland, Maine [Published: AUG/ SEP 06]