Evil Inc.

Kaplan's reading of his own thriller offers listeners a mixed bag. He's not especially good at creating believable voices for his women characters and his children's voices are even worse. But Kaplan, who has spent two decades as a creative director at various ad agencies supporting many Fortune 500 companies, has obviously poured everything he learned into creating the hopeful voice and disposition of his protagonist, Ken Olson. Kaplan shines as Olson, who has just become divisional director of an Ohio-based plastics manufacturing company. He creates equally vivid and credible villains: a nasty trio including the company's CEO, vice president and a board member—all of whom want to see Olson fail and/or die. Kaplan's knowing thriller makes a good choice for a long business flight. Simultaneous release with the Forge hardcover (Reviews, June 4). (Sept.)