The Dark Stairs

With her father on the police force and her mother a private investigator, 13-year-old Herculeah Jones fancies herself a sleuth. In this case, Herculeah attempts to solve the mysterious disappearance of the owner of Dead Oaks, an estate with a legendary history of murder and insanity. Blain Fairman's voice works well to create a sense of foreboding; however, his narration sometimes has the quality of radio announcing. Additionally, the highly differentiated voices are often so exaggerated and unpleasant that they distract the listener's attention. T.B. (c)AudioFile, Portland, Maine