The Scientology Murders

June 5, 2017
Heffernan works in a critique of the Church of Scientology into this cat-and-mouse tale, the second installment in his Dead Detective series. Det. Harry Doyle’s hunt for the person who shot and nearly murdered his adoptive father leads him to the secretive church in Clearwater, Fla., after he learns his dad was wounded while trying to rescue a young Scientologist who had gone rogue before turning up dead. Reader McLain, whose deep voice tends to be more relaxing than compelling during the expository sections, compensates for it when Heffernan revs up the action, focuses on sudden deaths, and lifts the lid on a couple of surprises. And he’s very good at embodying the author’s well-developed characters, especially the series’ protagonist. His Doyle experiences frustration, anger and even romance, and underlying all is his determination to apprehend the villain. An Akashic paperback.

John McLain introduces listeners to Harry Doyle--known as the "Dead Detective" because he was once clinically dead and has the ability to hear the dead speak. Doyle and his partner investigate a killing in Florida. The case quickly leads to Scientology's upper echelon. McLain does a great job with the assorted characters, especially the killer, whom he gives a creepy, nervous, shaky voice. All the voices are distinct, easy to keep track of, and appropriate--from a Brooklyn-born cop's to an Alaskan businessman's. The only vocal characterization that is a bit uneven is that of Doyle's partner, Vicki, but it in no way mars the narration. As the chase continues across country for the killer, bodies left in his wake, McLain keeps pace with his array of varying tones and identities. M.B. � AudioFile 2017, Portland, Maine