The Daybreakers

David Strathairn reads Tyrel Sackett's first-person narrative of life in New Mexico and Montana when the West was being settled. Giving a straightforward reading, Strathairn doesn't differentiate the many male characters, and when he tries for a woman's voice, he sounds strained and unnatural. Overall, Strathairn's vocal quality, modulation, and tone are good but need more variety. Fortunately L'Amour's beautiful western imagery; the romance of Tyrel and his Spanish beauty, Drusilla; and the shoot-'em-up action of Tyrel and his brother, Marshal, will retain the interest of most listeners. This simple story is simply told and simply read. S.C.A. (c) AudioFile 2005, Portland, Maine