DARK INHERITANCE

Anthropologist Jim Dutton raised his daughter, Brett, and a research ape, Umber, in the same house, practically as sisters. Umber's human skills and intelligence result from her genes having been spliced with human DNA in a secret plot by the pharmaceutical company heading the project. When the company wants to send Umber back into the wild, Jim must intervene. Paul Boehmer takes a somber approach to this sci-fi thriller, presenting the fast-moving plot at a measured pace. His characterizations, including accents from Boston, Scotland, Ireland, and Africa, as well as that of the ape herself, are distinct, believable, and subtly polished, lending credibility to the outlandish premise. His studious approach to the narrative passages suits the same purpose. R.P.L. (c) AudioFile 2002, Portland, Maine [Published: FEB/ MAR 02]