Free Fall

The race is on when a law school dropout unearths an explosive FBI file that catalogues the tawdry indiscretions of several leading politicians, including the Republican presidential nominee. Soon the student's mutilated body is found in the van of his ex-girlfriend, a world-class rock climber. As suspicion is thrown on the elusive girl, Mark Beamon, a suspended FBI agent whose career is hanging by a thread, is brought in by an anonymous party to track her down. Also in pursuit is third-party presidential candidate David Hallorin, a megalomaniac whose pockets are as deep as his determination to achieve his own political ends. Actor Shea defines the individual characters well, from nasal underlings to booming politicians to classically sardonic agents. The abridgement causes some unpolished transitions, and listeners may be surprised to find characters extricated from dicey situations with a flip of the tape, but mostly they will enjoy this quality production of a classy and well-plotted political thriller. Based on the HarperCollins hardcover (Forecasts, Mar. 6). (Apr.)