CODEX 632

Well translated from Portuguese, this mystery and its narration are smooth as silk. Its topic is intriguing. A professor whose specialty is decrypting codes is hired by an international foundation based in New York to decode the research notes of a historian who has recently died. It appears that the historian had uncovered startling information regarding the true identity of Christopher Columbus, his origin, and his real influence on history. George Guidall is perfect as the protagonist, Thomas Noronha; he really sounds like a university professor. As Naronha dashes from Lisbon to New York to Rio to unravel the mystery, Guidall changes gears and multiple accents readily. A.L.H. © AudioFile 2008, Portland, Maine [Published: NOVEMBER 2008]