A Spy by Nature

This incredibly atmospheric spy-thriller is read wonderfully by Vance. Cumming's debut-part fiction and part memoir-is beautifully realized by Vance, whose rich British accent seems perfectly suited for this appealing tale. With a variety of pitch-perfect dialects and accents, Vance brings a stark realism to the many mysterious characters that protagonist Alec Milius comes across in this sprawling account. Entrenched in the story, Vance captures Milius's hesitation and excitement upon being accepted in the secretive MI6 unit. There is something innately believable about Vance's Milius as well as just about every other character that pops up in this taut performance. Vance captures his audience's attention in a virtuoso one-man show that has all the power and variety of a big-budget theater production. He makes this intense story a memorable experience. Simultaneous release with the St. Martin's hardcover (Reviews, May 14).