Predators

Botswana, well known to mystery fans as the setting for the Precious Ramotswe books, provides the backdrop for this story of human and animal intrigue. Leo Painter, an aging corporate mogul, brings his scheming company directors to a wild game resort to check out future opportunities. Interwoven throughout the human machinations is the parallel tale of Sekoa, a dying lion soon to be ousted by a younger rival. Ray Porter's clear, bold voice works well for the various American characters whose distinct personalities radiate arrogance, superficiality, greed, and duplicity. His intonation and inflection capably differentiate the various characters while managing to capture the treacherous nature of most of them. He is also adept with the soft, melodic African accents. Even though the listener quickly figures out who the villain is, the story is an enjoyable diversion. M.H.N. (c) AudioFile 2010, Portland, Maine

October 19, 2009
Through parallel stories, Ramsay's clever stand-alone shows the ruthlessness of the business and the animal worlds without resorting to gimmickry. Sekoa, an aging, mortally ill lion, is being forced out by younger rivals and hyenas on the Botswana plains. Meanwhile, Leo Painter, a Chicago energy czar with a bad heart, is up against ambitious employees and greedy relatives. While Sekoa stands up to his rivals, Painter and his entourage come to Botswana to build a resort/casino. Painter's callous nature has alienated him from his stepson, Bobby Griswold, who has “the brains of a guppy,” and Bobby's wife, Brenda, a former stripper. Painter's business plan would leave the Griswolds without any money, but not, the couple learns, if the old man dies first and his will remains intact. Ramsay (Impulse
) matches keen characterizations with an obvious affection for Botswana, a complicated country that's more than Alexander McCall Smith's “quaint mysteries,” as one character observes.