BEL CANTO by Ann Patchett > recordedbookreview.com

Publisher: Harper Audio ; Distributed by Recorded Books,Pub Date: p2001
Extraordinary work. Self-centered opera singer and doting Japanese businessman-fan hostaged by South American amateur terrorists at glitterati party.

19 Years of Reviews

Private eye with basic grammar skills looks for two kidnapped girls in small town, and gets cozy with the Sheriff's son.A Stranger In Town by Cheryl Bradshaw read by Crystal Sershin

Some Hard-Boiled Characters of 20th C (by the Members of Rara-Avis, compliled by Joe Dante and Mark Blumenthal, 2002) (numerical order does not denote value) Philip Marlowe (from the series by Raymond Chandler) Sam Spade (from the novel, The Maltese Falcon, by Dashiell Hammett) 3. The Continental Op (from theHard Boiled

Warped, lusty, utterly female voice of this slut-goddess kicks you in the groin, cuffs you to the radiator, and feeds you sex and ham sandwiches. "You belong to me, D-o-l-l" she says to Steve Carella. And you do. Or want to. As does Steve Carella, detective and good guy ofDOLL by Ed McBain (Pouty D, drag the O, tongue heavy on the L.)

Does a low pitched male voice lend authenticity to a bodice ripper? A rich Houston real estate agent calls on her ex-lover to help protect their daughter from a violent maniac. Tough Customer by Sandra Brown read by Victor Slezak

Even if you buy all your clothes at Walmart's, even if you never finished high-school and you still collect Happy Meal toys, even if your little girl never saw her father, who thinned out after a while, like smoke, you can still write a recipe book. Then someone with Aids,Going to Bend by Diane Hammond read by Hilary Huber

A sister who witnessed her brother's murder goes back to her home town after 10 years to find the killer. As usual with Sharon Sala, the main character is layered, magnetic, surrounded by friends and neighbors each of whom reflect her differently... There are also the usual divisions ofBetrayed by Sharon Sala

It is wrong to suppose that language is about communication. James Hall does not communicate. He sniffs a piece of the invisible, picks it up with his mouth and lays it on our doorstep. What we call language is sometimes a body, sometimes a carcass, sometimes a feather, sometimes aFrank Muller reads James Hall:: Red Sky at Night

Michael Cantela is the youngest winner of the Investment Advisor of the Year at the elite investment firm of Saxton Silvers. He has a knack for making rich people richer, an apartment on Sutton Place, an unemployed wife, and an eight or nine figure personal portfolio. ThatMoney To Burn by James Grippando, narrated by Jonathan Davis

fake cheese on fake crackers... shoplifted and served with warmed over leftovers. Shame on the publishers. Jennifer Crusie and Mary Kay Andrews and Cheez Whiz

One reason to write books is that you can name your chapters — more than just One, Two. You can name a chapter “Visiting Nora at Nova Scotia Rest Hospital”. Out of nowhere appears a book about Jacob from Halifax who was born in the reading room of the Halifax FreeMy Darling Detective by Howard Norman

1948 is a strange time to be a Jew. For Lonzman, the hero of this tale, it is the year the Jews in Israel are driven into the sea, and get a small beachside strip of Alaska as compensation. It is the year Lonzman's father arrives in downtown Sitka whereThe Yiddish Policemen's Union by Michael Chabon performed by Peter Riegert

The crisp precise language of the story irons out an implicit California-Palo Alto class structure, in addition to a real plot! A hairy doctor found dead in a $400 hotel room... a husband.Circle of Wives by Alice Laplant

The perfect voice for a down and out in London and Iraq crime novel, with an entry quote by Orwell. Always a good sign, Orwell. Imagine a classic sting by a pretty girl and her boyfriend: girl alone at bar gets hit by her bruiser boyfriend. Retired police detective comesThe Wreckage by Michael Robotham read by Sean Barrett

Short, spoiled and operatic is the 14 year old Persian Jewess who charms Gabe, the poor little rich foundling now living with Peter and Rena Decker. Gabe is a little lovable, a little weird, and very horny. But he is also a musical prodigy, with the lean blonde wits ofGun Games by Faye Kellerman read by Mitchell Greenberg

Chris Faulkener has a new job and a new friend, and comes home to a beautiful mechanic named Carla, who is his wife. He doesn't believe in violence, but he works for a conflict investment firm, which studies, tracks and finances the small wars of the world.Market Forces by Richard K. Morgan read by Simon Vance