JACK OF DIAMONDS

Jack Spayd is pulled by his passion for jazz from Toronto's Depression-era slums, crosses continents, and mixes Las Vegas gambling and African diamonds in a splendid saga that spans half a century. This Australian author's last book has subtle shades of his famous THE POWER OF ONE. The life lessons for Jack Spayd resonate, and the lively historical scenes are memorable. In Humphrey Bower's narration, accents, genders, and nationalities appear fluidly and with total confidence. An occasional Canadian vowel or a quirky regionalism punctuates and individualizes the memorable characters, who often sport Dickensian names such as Miss Frostbite or Mr. Logical. Bower, the narrator of all of Courtenay's books, is joined at the hip with the author's storytelling. His mastery should put this and other works on listeners' “must" lists. R.F.W. Winner of AudioFile Earphones Award © AudioFile 2012, Portland, Maine [Published: DECEMBER 2012]