GUN, WITH OCCASIONAL MUSIC

The plot of this fantasy mystery is hard to follow and harder to describe--suffice it to say that it takes place in a futuristic world where sheep act as receptionists and people who misbehave have karma points deducted (until they hit zero and then it's off to the deep freeze). The protagonist, voiced by narrator Nick Sullivan, speaks in a mangled Chandlerese ("His eyes were unclouded by intelligence") and is pursued by a gun-toting kangaroo (shades of Elwood P. Dowd). Once you get over the confusing plot, it's a wild and kooky ride. Sullivan's deadpan is dead-on, and if you listen to audiobooks in public, be aware that you may be subject to spontaneous fits of laughter. R.W.S. © AudioFile 2008, Portland, Maine [Published: APR/ MAY 08]