THE SIX RULES OF MAYBE

Characterizing herself as a "life watcher,” Scarlett finds that her watching often turns to helping and then to mayhem. Teri Linden gives Scarlett a sensible voice as she recounts her newly married sister’s arrival home with a new husband and a baby on the way. In contrast, sister Juliet has a tinny, whiny voice, perfect for her annoying presence but belying her fame as a professional singer. Similarly, Scarlett’s peers are a squeaky, irritating bunch. However, neighbors, Mom, and others in Scarlett’s everyday life have stories that are neatly conveyed by Linden in a medley of characters who range from bratty boys to confused elderly folks. Scarlett’s deep talks with her brother-in-law and her growing infatuation with him are also beautifully written and narrated. D.P.D. © AudioFile 2010, Portland, Maine [Published: OCTOBER 2010]