The Wave

Walter Mosley is best known for his crime stories. With THE WAVE he proves he's just as skilled at writing science fiction/horror, and Tim Cain is just the narrator to deliver it. The story begins with a telephone call to Errol Porter from his father. The trouble is, Errol's father is long dead. Cain brings an air of innocence to his performance that is vital to the story. The listener must believe, on some level, that a confused young man somehow is Errol's father, even though it's impossible. Cain is equally adept at delivering the buttery tones of Errol's Jamaican girlfriend and the voice of the cold-hearted villain, who believes he is stopping an alien invasion. M.S. (c) AudioFile 2006, Portland, Maine

November 7, 2005
Bestseller Mosley's latest foray into allegorical SF is reminiscent of his 1998 novel, Blue Light
, but it isn't nearly as rich and captivating. How should the book's hero, Errol, react when his late, beloved father reappears as a younger, ecstatic, incomplete version of the father's former self? How should the government respond when nearly invincible reanimated bodies claiming to be portions of a primordial life-form appear in our midst, out of an immense wave? And how can that life-form, which strives only for harmony, connect with us if it can't make itself understood to the fanatical military doctor, who takes Errol and his father prisoner, and is developing a poison to exterminate the peaceful newly arisen dead lest they overwhelm the human population? Mosley fails to sustain the deep, meaningful tone that would have brought this pensive tale to life. Even various sexual encounters and communions with the vast universe lack passion. This wave is fast and small, but it leaves little behind in its wake.

February 6, 2006
When Errol's long-dead father calls him in the middle of the night, Errol learns about "the Wave," a billion-year-old organism slowly creeping to Earth's surface and reanimating corpses into healthy vibrant replicas of their former selves with virtually intact memories. The more Errol learns, the more he comes to respect and identify with the living organism and seeks to protect it from the deadly machinations of the military. As the tale unravels through Errol's eyes, Tim Cain provides a steady and smooth tone for the narrative passages that corresponds well to Errol's speaking parts. Cain's use of emphasis for particular words and sentences jump out so that even the most inattentive listener picks up the important pieces. The soft and gentle style spoken by Errol's father, GT, generally corresponds to the nature of his character. GT's tone might also ignite the image of a hippie, which makes sense given the peace and love that his species promote. Cain's other vocal characterizations maintain a decent semblance to the people described within the text. His distinct, deep voice delivers emotion and intensity throughout the story, making it easy for any listener to enjoy. Simultaneous release with the Aspect hardcover (Reviews, Nov. 7).

June 1, 2006
Cinnamon Kiss is Mosleys latest in his very popular Easy Rawlins detective series. Its 1966 in Los Angeles, and Easy is desperate for money to pay for the expensive treatments needed by his gravely ill daughter, Feather. Initially considering returning to a partnership with his criminal friend Mouse, Easy instead is hired to track down a missing lawyer and some mysterious legal papersa job that takes him to San Francisco, where he experiences firsthand the burgeoning hippie culture. Happily for the listener, Michael Boatman is back to read, with nearly perfect vocal depth and breadth.Tim Cain gives voice toThe Wave, a new sf novelclearly a genre that interests Mosley if not his fans. Featuring a contemporary hero down on his luck, repeatedly disturbed by phone calls from someone claiming to be his dead father resurrected, this work flows with a hackneyed plot and shallow characters toward a rather 1950s B-movie-ish ending. Though read with some skill by Cain, its not enough to make the experience satisfying to anyone but the most extreme of the authors fans.Cinnamon Kiss is recommended for all collections;The Wave, only where demand warrants.Kristen L. Smith, Loras Coll. Lib., Dubuque, IA

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