The Extraordinary Adventures of Alfred Kropp

Starred review from February 27, 2006
Suspense? Check. Humor? Check. Flashy cars? Check. Violent fight scenes? Oh yeah. Unlikely teenage hero? Yep. This recording of Yancey's action-filled first YA novel has plenty of the elements likely to round up a legion of listeners. Following the death of his mother, 15-year-old Alfred Kropp moves in with his Uncle Farrell, who's trying to make ends meet as night watchman at the offices of a business scion in Tennessee. When Uncle Farrell gets a lucrative offer to "retrieve" a valuable sword from his work building for a mysterious, rival businessman named Arthur Myers, the plot—and Farrell's "accomplice," Alfred—take off on a rip-roaring quest. Turns out the lifted sword is Excalibur of Arthurian legend and the quest involves battling sword-wielding monks and a pack of motorcycle riding shoot-'em-up thugs among other foes, as well as traveling to Europe, and meeting up with a mentor-ish descendant of the Round Table. Listeners never get too comfortable, as Arthur is among the many people and things that are not what they seem. Placing a good-hearted, funny, big lug of a kid into a hero's shoes is the fine premise that gives Michael an entertaining canvas to work with. The slight Southern drawl of Uncle Farrell, the nearly-hissing French accent of Arthur, the nasty notes of the British monks, Alfred's likeable, naïve tones—and yes, the high-octane story—will all keep listeners enthralled. Ages 12-up.