CLOSING RANKS

Nanny Grayle's death brings the whole living lot of Grayles back to Hartleap, where they discover their past is not as placid as they had thought. Although the production is unabridged, Michael Kitchen manages to distort much of the story by racing through much dialogue and description, which he must deem merely expository or boring or unnecessary to the final outcome. He throws away so many sentences that he distances himself from the characters and the listener from the story line. When Kitchen does concentrate, his delivery is excellent, and the printed words come to life. J.P. © AudioFile 2001, Portland, Maine [Published: JUN/JUL 01]