The Man from St. Petersburg

Follett imagines a Russian anarchist in Great Britain circa 1915 working to kill a Russian diplomat and forestall the Great War. Narrator Simon Prebble delivers his subtly voiced characterizations in a cleanly articulated British accent perfectly comfortable to the American ear. He speaks like a trial witness; his words are evenly paced, and he signals a heightening of tension by tightening his voice rather than raising it or speeding it up. The narration is so skilled that one forgets Prebble is there and concentrates on the unfolding story. Follett's immense popularity makes this an almost mandatory purchase for appropriate collections. D.W. (c)AudioFile, Portland, Maine