Berlin Game

In the first of Len Deighton's espionage sextet, he introduces his enduring spy hero, Bernard Samson. Not only is Deighton setting up characters who go through the entire series, but Daneman must also set a vocal style for each of Samson's Berlin friends and English co-patriots. Daneman succeeds masterfully. His lively characterizations of the elegant Silas Gaunt, irritating Dicky Cruyer and mercurial Werner Volkmann are a delight. The dialogue is lively with each character's voice wholly distinct. As often happens at the end, one wants more time with these characters--and there is. R.F.W. (c)AudioFile, Portland, Maine