The Rare Coin Score

Antihero Parker is called in to mastermind the dubious plan to steal the entire lot of valuable coins at a collectors' convention in Indianapolis. Here Parker first meets Claire, who later becomes his partner in subsequent novels, making this a pivotal book in the Stark (aka Donald Westlake) series. Stark's plot is tight and filled with tension. John Chancer does an excellent job at matching the pace. But his characterizations are a shade on the gimmicky side. He burdens Parker with an unnecessarily gravelly voice, and his other character depictions come off as cliched. Still, some listeners may enjoy this slightly over-the-top narration style. F.T. © AudioFile 2012, Portland, Maine

Here is a full-length audiobook that even listeners who favor abridged versions will love. That is because the entire book, another installment in the author's Parker series, is just three tapes long. Parker masterminds a heist at a coin collector's convention. You don't have to wait long to discover what happens when the robbery goes awry. Michael Kramer's tense style fully captures Parker and his fellow criminals as they plan and carry out the unusual robbery. The listener is believably transported to a world unfamiliar to most. Slightly annoying are Kramer's un-called-for pauses in the middle of lines. Nonetheless, this performance manages to win out. A.L.H. (c) AudioFile 2002, Portland, Maine