THE DARLINGS

THE DARLINGS are the darlings of New York, well educated, rich, philanthropic, beautiful, and successful. That is, until the Thanksgiving weekend when beloved Uncle Mortie, whose mysterious investment firm delivers worryingly consistent 12 percent returns every year, disappears off the Tappan Zee Bridge, leaving Carter Darling’s investment business holding empty bags. Cristina Alger knows this New York world cold and makes a tightly plotted, richly satisfying meal of it with characters you understand and believe in, whether you like them or not. Jonathan Fried performs thoughtfully and persuasively, never overplaying and only rarely getting in the way. B.G. © AudioFile 2012, Portland, Maine [Published: APRIL 2012]