Still Summer

Jacquelyn Mitchard gives the "reunion" novel a dark twist in this story, which takes four women on a dream vacation that goes very, very wrong. As the group is sailing in the Caribbean, a storm leaves their sailboat adrift, and the women must battle dwindling food supplies, sharks, and, worst of all, pirates. Kirsten Potter's narration handles the action and suspense, as well as the romance, smoothly, with appropriate emotion and pacing. Her attempt at accents for some of the characters is a bit strained, but she still provides the listener clear differentiation between speakers and distinct character development. Potter's presentation of this fast-paced story is enjoyable and easy to follow. M.O.B. (c) AudioFile 2008, Portland, Maine

July 30, 2007
Ericksen gives an appropriately taut, tense reading of this gripping novel about four women on a sailing vacation who end up fighting for their lives when their ship is disabled, food is running low, and they're beset by modern-day pirates. Ericksen doesn't create actual character voices, but she does a great job voicing snobbish Olivia and sarcastic, emotional teenager Cami. (The voices of the two down-to-earth characters, Tracy and Holly, tend to blur.) Michel, a young Frenchman, sounds just as sexy as he should, while criminal Ernesto is appropriately menacing (although Ericksen's attempt at a Spanish accent leaves something to be desired). Ericksen is best at voicing the climactic emotional confrontation between Olivia and the rest of the group that will leave listeners on the edge of their seats. Random-seeming musical background is unwisely used; it probably indicates either places where text was abridged or beginnings of chapters, but either way, it's distracting and unnecessary. Minor quibbles aside, this is a brisk, fast-paced and suspenseful audiobook. Simultaneous release with the Grand Central hardcover (Reviews, Apr. 9).