The Field of Blood

The author assumes too much listener familiarity with the often intensely complex story of the Crusader kingdoms that flourished in the Middle East after the first Crusade, flooding the first part of his book with names, places, and dates. Narrator Julian Elfer's clarity, intelligence, and excellent pronunciation of all those names and places help, but, sadly, he simply reads a beat or two too quickly for the density of the material. In the less information-dense sections of the audiobook, his narration is admirable. His voice and English accent are enjoyable, and he conveys the sense of what he reads effortlessly. More thought about the needs of listeners not already steeped in the period's history might have made this worthwhile program more enjoyable. W.M. � AudioFile 2018, Portland, Maine