Gold Coast

The late Frank Muller's performance of GOLD COAST, originally released in 1995, is truly extraordinary. It's the story of Florida Mob widow Karen DiCilia, who discovers that her husband, in response to a threat she made regarding his extramarital affairs, has arranged for his associates to discourage any male attention she might receive after his death. She enlists the help of ex-con Cal Maguire, and together they attempt to thwart the efforts of Roland, the thug assigned to ruin her future happiness. Muller narrates with such subtlety--the slightest degree of tone and accent differentiates one character from the next--that he hypnotizes you with his voice until you forget you're listening to a story instead of experiencing it yourself. K.O. Winner of AudioFile Earphones Award (c) AudioFile 2011, Portland, Maine


Listening to Frank Muller's 1995 reading of this vintage Leonard is pure pleasure and reminds us again how much we miss his voice. This 1980s' novel is of the "Detroit Mob moved to Florida" variety featured in much of Leonard's early work. The central character is the attractive widow of a Mob leader whose will, jealously enforced by his former associates, leaves her lots of money but almost no freedom. What happens when she tries to break out? Many plot twists and no real good guys. In addition to easy, pitch-perfect pacing, Muller plays everyone from redneck underlings to Cuban wives to Detroit lawyers exquisitely. This is just how Leonard should sound, and it is as good as it gets. R.E.K. Winner of AudioFile Earphones Award (c) AudioFile 2006, Portland, Maine