The Room of White Fire

October 2, 2017
Voice actor Damron’s soft, sensitive rendition of Parker’s suspense novel captures an important part of its protagonist Roland Ford’s psyche. He’s world-weary and suffering the loss of his beloved wife, but he happens to be an ex-pro boxer, ex-cop, and former Marine, and he’s now a private eye, so one would expect he might sound a little tougher around the edges. Damron’s delivery is a good fit for Ford’s quarry, Clay Hickman, an emotionally disturbed Air Force vet who has recently escaped from Arcadia, a private mental hospital in San Diego County, Calif. Hickman’s therapist, who has hired Ford, explains that Hickman may hurt himself or others, a possibility also mentioned by Arcadia’s owner. Ford soon discovers that Hickman’s tour was in Romania, probably at a horrific black torture site. The narrative mixes Ford’s progress with his visits with family and eccentric friends at the ranch he inherited from his wife, many of whom are given their own voices by Damron as well. Damron’s multifaceted performance helps bring the characters in Parker’s thriller to life. A Putnam hardcover.

T. Jefferson Parker's latest novel is filled with well-defined characters, excellent dialogue, and a gripping story. Will Damron's narration makes it even better. At first, Damron's slow pace seems out of place, but it becomes clear quickly that his delivery enhances every aspect of the audiobook. The story focuses on P.I. Roland Ford's search for Clay Hickman, an escapee from a mental institution operated by individuals who developed the enhanced interrogation techniques used by the CIA after the Gulf War. Ford discovers that Hickman participated in the torture, as well as a brutal murder, and realizes that Hickman has escaped to clear his name and bring others to justice. But the thread that makes the story flow is Damron's on-point delivery. D.J.S. Winner of AudioFile Earphones Award � AudioFile 2017, Portland, Maine