The Four Just Men

Originally written in 1920, this entertaining novel benefits from the superb performance of narrator Bill Homewood. The story focuses on four men with ostensibly laudable goals who battle injustice like modern-day Robin Hoods. Yet the four remain enigmas, whose motives at time appear to be highly questionable. Because the protagonists lack sufficient individual personalities to make it easy for readers to distinguish among them, it is even harder to ascertain their ultimate goals. Fortunately, Bill Homewood demonstrates the power of a great reader. He transitions beautifully between characters and provides each with a distinctive timbre, tone, and personality, thus overcoming the novel's limitations. D.J.S. (c) AudioFile 2011, Portland, Maine

September 1, 2011

This is the first of the many thriller/adventure novels written by Wallace (1875-1932). It's the tale of four European vigilantes who intend to derail a threat to a Spanish resistance leader by dissuading members of the British Parliament from passing a certain extradition bill. Either the author of the legislation withdraws it, or he will be killed. A deadline is set, the police are called in, and a locked-room murder follows. Listeners who love melodramas like those involving Sherlock Holmes, the works of Rudyard Kipling, and other Edwardian writers will enjoy this production. Reader Bill Homewood has just the right pacing and vocal range for the victims, the police, and the villains. Perfect for taking along in the car on vacation, even if it was published in 1905. A wonderful postscript: Wallace was best known for writing the screenplay for the original 1933 film King Kong!--Barbara Valle, El Paso P.L., TX

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