The Jungle

The crew of the Oregon is engaged for a rescue mission that takes them deep into the Burmese jungle where the natural perils are hardly more deadly than the manmade ones. Their quest for the missing daughter of a Swiss billionaire, takes them all over the globe%E2%80%94and Juan Cabrillo and crew are caught up in a harrowing race to save the world. This installment in the Oregon Files adventures requires a narrator who can make the most of the drama and suspense without taking it over the top, and Jason Culp is up for the challenge. His voice's rich timbre makes for easy listening, and male characterizations are spot-on. Female voices, however, are not his strong suit: they're either nasal or throaty and make for uncomfortable listening. Fortunately the female dialogue is scant, and this flaw does not detract from what is a fantastical, exciting audiobook. A Putnam hardcover. (Mar.)