Fatal Judgment

U.S. Marshal Jake Taylor is charged with protecting federal judge Liz Michaels, who just happens to be the widow of his college roommate and someone he has very mixed feelings for. Brian Hutchinson narrates this romantic suspense in a straightforward tone that is better suited to nonfiction than to the twists and turns of a mystery coupled with the tensions of a developing romance. While Hutchinson provides slight accents for several of the characters, including Jake's law enforcement colleagues, he doesn't change his pace or tone. His inexpressiveness makes the many facets of the story difficult to follow and the tender parts difficult to believe. E.N. (c) AudioFile 2011, Portland, Maine