Final Witness.

Simon Tolkien. 2003. Read by the author. 7 tapes. 10 hrs. Brilliance. 1-59086-420-4. $82.25. Vinyl; plot, author notes. SA

The grandson of J.R.R. Tolkien continues the family tradition of fine writing with this highly suspenseful novel of murder told from the alternating perspectives of the three main characters: Thomas Robinson, teenage son and witness to the murder of his mother; his father, Sir Peter Robinson; and Greta Grahame, Sir Peter's assistant. Through flashbacks we get each character's story and perspective interspersed with the proceedings of the trial in which both Thomas and his father appear as witnesses, though on opposite sides. The accused is Greta Grahame, now Sir Peter's wife.

The story is powerful and dramatic as the listener's sympathies switch back and forth among the three. The author reads his work in an unvoiced but dramatic performance and does an excellent job of portraying each character with all the human complexities and frailties. In Thomas, teens will find an ally with whom to identify and sympathize. Sue Rosenzweig, Consultant, Lincoln, RI