Abrahams, Peter. Nerve damage.

ABRAHAMS, Peter. Nerve damage. Read by Alan Nebelthau. 9 tapes. 10.25 hrs. Recorded Books. 2007. 978-1-4281-3724-0. $69.75. Vinyl; plot, reader notes. A

Acclaimed sculptor Roy Valois has just finished his latest creation, and has named it Delia, in memory of his wife who died 15 years ago. Then Roy learns that he has inoperable mesothelioma and is dying. Curiosity leads him to hack into a newspaper's website that contains his yet-to-be published obituary. Noticing a minor inaccuracy there regarding Delia's work, he attempts to have it corrected, thereby opening a mega-can of worms. The Hobbes Institute, where Delia was supposed to have worked, has vanished. Digging deeper, Roy uncovers identity changes, cover-ups and murder close to home, even as his precious remaining time is running out. He comes across a wealthy Texas businessman who not only wants to purchase his sculpture, but may hold the key to who Delia actually was, who she worked for and how she really died. Nebelthau reads this thriller with hard-nosed conviction. The raw forcefulness in his reading style makes it easy to accept Roy Valois as a dying man of courage and unshakeable convictions on an inspired mission. Miles Klein, Frisco, TX

A--Recommended for advanced students and adults. This code will help librarians and teachers working in high schools where there are honors and advanced placement students. This also will help extend KLIATT's usefulness in public libraries.