A LADY CYCLIST'S GUIDE TO KASHGAR

Past and present collide in Joinson’s novel. In the 1920s, Eva English and her sister, Lizzie, are missionaries in Kashgar, on the Silk Road. Lizzie is there out of religious conviction, and Eva for a sense of adventure. In present-day London, Frieda returns from a trip to find that she’s listed as next of kin for a dead woman she’s never heard of. Susan Duerdan narrates from both women’s perspectives and vocally differentiates between the two effectively. Eva’s voice is almost sickeningly sweet, however, which detracts from her story, the more interesting part of the plot. Duerdan’s portrayal of Frieda is more appealing, but her story at times seems superfluous. These weaknesses lead to an audio experience that doesn’t quite work. J.L.K. © AudioFile 2012, Portland, Maine [Published: JULY 2012]