THE WAVEDANCER BENEFIT: A Tribute to Frank Muller

Audiobook lovers know Frank Muller's voice well. The expert reader has recorded hundreds of novels, and his performances range from the side-splitting to the spine-tingling. He suffered severe head trauma and sustained multiple fractures after a motorcycle accident last fall, and in February of this year, four of America's best-selling—and best-loved—novelists held a benefit in New York City that raised nearly $250,000. This memorable audiobook, featuring readings and commentary by King, Conroy, Grisham and Straub, has immense historical, humanitarian and humor value and should delight fans. Audiobook reader George Guidall kicks off the evening, welcoming guests, introducing the authors, and then offering excerpts of Muller reading a work by each of the authors. Grisham is the first to take the stage, and after a few playful pokes at King (he mentions that after seeing King's prolific output despite having been in a serious accident, his own publisher suggested he start taking long walks along busy highways), he somewhat stiffly reads the first chapter of The Summons. Straub is next, with an impressive passage from Black House. King comes third, with a rollicking reading of his classic short story "The Revenge of Lardass Hogan." Conroy wraps up the set, offering some witty anecdotes about his writing career. Altogether, it makes for a thoroughly entertaining package. (July)