STEP ON A CRACK

A mass kidnapping at St. Patrick's Cathedral nets many of the world's celebrities gathered for the funeral of a former first lady. Mike Bennett, NYPD detective, father of 10 adopted children whose wife is dying of cancer, must put aside his personal woes and outsmart the well-organized criminals. In these post-9/11 days, Ledwidge and Patterson's scenario seems all too credible. Narrators John Slattery and Reg Rogers create thoroughly believable hostages and hostage-takers, and are especially effective voicing the beleaguered cop, hijacker " Jack," and the reptilian villain, " The Neat Man." Occasional music and sound effects don't add much, but short, intense chapters make it impossible to stop listening to this well-crafted story. S.J.H. © AudioFile 2007, Portland, Maine [Published: JUN/ JUL 07]