Andrews, Lori. The silent assassin.

ANDREWS, Lori. The silent assassin. Read by Coleen Marlo. 8 cds. 9.33 hrs. Books on Tape. 2007 978-1-4159-4035-8. $90.00. Vinyl; plot notes. A

This fast-paced novel follows Dr. Alexandra Blake, a geneticist employed by the Armed Forces Institute of Pathology (AFIP). Blake's work in developing antitoxins for bio-terrorist weapons is interrupted when she is called upon to assist in the murder investigation of a businessman dressed to look like a homeless person. Almost simultaneously, the undaunted pathologist is assigned to identify some "trophy" skulls that are GI souvenirs left over from the Vietnam War. The author skillfully interweaves these seemingly unrelated events into a single, captivating mystery that has international political and economic implications. Along the way, Blake is almost strangled, two potential love interests are murdered, and there is an assassination attempt on the US president. Alex rescues the injured president and hides him until her colleagues at the AFIP can sort things out. Could this be a coup by the Secret Service? A strike by terrorists? Marlo gives each character a distinctive voice and personality. Her range accommodates everyone from a gravelly voiced government agent to a nervous Vietnamese refugee. Prof. John E. Boyd, Jenkintown, PA