A Wrongful Death

From Booklist The tenth Barbara Holloway mystery finds the Eugene, Oregon, defense attorney investigating the case of a missing woman and her son. Holloway soon finds herself knee-deep in a complicated mystery in which she is a prime suspect in the woman’s disappearance. This is a strongly written story, but MacDuffie, although a competent narrator, never seems to hit the high points the way listeners expect. Scenes that convey imminent danger, or near-claustrophobic suspense, seem thinly read and not nearly as powerful as they are in print. On the other hand, she does an excellent job climbing inside Holloway’s skin; we really feel as though she knows and understands this woman. A mixed success, but on the whole, this is worth a listen. --David Pitt