Ricochet by Sandra Brown

Narrated by Dennis Boutsikaris

Looking to quench my Sandra Brown thirst, I recently listened to Ricochet after receiving a recommendation from an audio friend who knows Brown’s audiobook backlist inside-out. As I started listening, I felt that rush coming on that I identify as my Sandra Brown fever. And it remained throughout the audio.

Ricochet features detective Duncan Hatcher and his determination to put Robert Savich in prison – for good. His effort to put together a case that will finally get the job done is badly sidetracked when Judge Laird declares a mistrial for clearly avoidable circumstances. Duncan finds himself in jail for 48 hours after arguing loudly with the judge about his decision and it is this situation that sets up the rest of the story – and very well I might add.

Dragged to an awards dinner by his partner DeeDee the very day he is released from jail, Duncan is in no mood to fraternize with other policemen.  He’s not happy with Judge Laird who happens to be in attendance but he can’t keep his eyes off the perfect blond woman he sees. Sparring with DeeDee, he admits, “I’ve fallen into instant lust … I didn’t know that getting struck by lightning could feel so good.” Unfortunately for Duncan, she’s Elise Laird – the wife of the judge. And just as regrettably, that fact doesn’t change his attraction.

It’s a familiar setup for Sandra Brown but one that works extremely well. Ricochet is one suspenseful book and Dennis Boutsikaris delivers the suspense effectively. Do I believe that suspense could have been performed better by another? Yes, I can think of several narrators I’d prefer but most of my lack of excitement concerning his narration boils down to one thing:

Dennis Boutsikaris is not Victor Slezak.

Sandra Brown and Victor Slezak are one of my all time favorite audio teams. She writes a fantastic suspense tale and Slezak matches her talent with his delivery. I’ve listened to six unabridged audios by this team and I’m spoiled. Those six include my all time favorite Romantic Suspense, Envy.

When I think of Boutsikaris narrations, I first think of Linda Howard’s Mackenzie’s Pleasure – a dynamite book that was almost a dynamite audio. He repeatedly drops his voice at the end of sentences to almost a low growl. It’s his signature in my mind. However, it’s one I don’t care for and it feels like he is adding something with the narration that isn’t present in the print version.

But let me talk about what Boutsikaris does do right in Ricochet and there’s a lot to talk about. There are five major characters – Duncan, Elise, DeeDee, Judge Laird, and Savich. The narrator has DeeDee’s attitude mixed with professionalism down – no doubt about it. His characterization of Judge Laird is just about perfect – I could tell the judge was speaking and his superior view of the world dripped from his words. Savich is well done as the villain who always comes out ahead. His arrogance is heard in each scene. Elise is not as well characterized. Her southern accent definitely sets her apart (although not consistently) as well as the higher pitch he gives her as the gentle female of the group. Not that I completely favor the higher pitch but we do need to give male narrators some space when it comes to this aspect. And finally, Duncan – the one who must sound the most like the written character for an audiobook to be a smashing success for me. His characterization was … okay. I can’t find a lot to criticize but neither can I find a lot to praise. Although I heard his forcefulness, I still felt it was turned down a notch. Although he is clearly male, he doesn’t sound as male as Sandra Brown penned his character nor as male as a hero of Duncan’s caliber should.

When it comes to the overall narration, Boutsikaris understands the tale for the most part and his timing is good. His delivery lacks a crispness that usually enhances a differentiation of characters and therefore, it was occasionally difficult to distinguish Duncan’s voice from Elise’s. But that didn’t keep this audiobook from being a winner.

While listening, I finally quit comparing Boutsikaris to Slezak and it’s a good thing I did. It’s a fast ride with nary a boring moment and he does a fine job narrating. As I ignored that Slezak longing, my enjoyment doubled and I can now give Ricochet a firm recommendation. 

Lea Hensley


Narration:  B-

Book Content:  A

Steam Factor:  Glad I had my ear buds in

Violence:  Fighting

Genre:  Romantic Suspense

Publisher:  Simon & Schuster

 

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