A MURDER OF MAGPIES

Deviating from her bestselling nonfiction, Flanders tries her hand at mystery in this debut. Susan Duerden gives voice to Flanders's first-person protagonist, publishing editor Samantha Clair. With consistency and emotion she creates a high level of authenticity in the reactions of a woman unaccustomed to big-money book sales, let alone murder and mayhem. Duerden maintains a swift pace without hurrying, and her accents are distinct as Sam travels by foot, rail, and air throughout Europe, searching for clues about her missing author, Kit Lowell. The only disappointment in this enjoyable narration is a flat delivery of the audiobook's sharp humor. However, Duerden's light tone works well for a book that is edgier than a traditional cosy, and she delivers the occasional profanity with spunk. J.F. © AudioFile 2015, Portland, Maine [Published: MARCH 2015]