Live to Tell

The fourth Detective D.D. Warren mystery is as riveting as it is unsettling. Gardner takes the tragic elements of children who become psychotic from abuse, family annihilation, and survivor guilt and produces a story of horror that is difficult to listen to but almost impossible to set aside. Good chapter organization, skilled character development, and crisp writing keep the action moving and the individuals readily identifiable. The use of an ensemble for narration gives even more definition to the three women who carry the story. Minor characters, especially young children, are also portrayed realistically. This fast-paced mystery, well suited to audio, should please Gardner's fans and attract new ones. M.O.B. (c) AudioFile 2010, Portland, Maine