Bayard, Louis. The pale blue eye.

BAYARD, Louis. The pale blue eye. Read by Charles Leggett. 13 cds. 15.5 hrs. BBC Audiobooks America. 2006. 0-7927-4066-1. $112.95. Vinyl; plot, author, reader notes. A*

In 1830, retired New York constable and widower Landor is called to West Point to investigate the grisly death of a cadet. Is there a Satanic element? Straightforward enough on the surface, this is a deeper tale involving Landor's own lonely life, his daughter who has disappeared, his drinking habits, and his humorous if cynical intelligence. He becomes aware of an intriguing cadet, Edgar Allan Poe (who actually was a West Point cadet). Together they seek the answers while more complications occur--another murder, Poe's burgeoning love for a cadet's sister who has mysteries of her own.

Leggett's narration could not be better, whether as the somewhat bitter, witty Landor with a rather gruff voice redolent of the early 19th century, or as Poe, with his flowery, flowing, emotional, exotic, poetic way of speaking and writing. He manages all the voices, male and female, and maintains pace, timing and suspense right to the end--sort of a double ending. The listener feels immersed in another time and place, one where Poe would and does feel comfortable. Mary Purucker, Beverly Hills PL, Beverly Hills, CA

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.

*--The asterisk highlights exceptional books.