Baby, Would I Lie?: A Romance of the Ozarks

Mystery author Westlake's humorous 1994 parody of the country-music world seems doubly hilarious when spoken aloud by soap-opera and Broadway actress Nicola Sheara. Acting out the voices of a legion of overweight, RV-driving, fast-food-eating fans who flock to Branson, Mo., Sheara hits the nail on the head with her ability to quickly switch gears from a deep rasp, a sweet drawl, or even various English and Australian dialects. With a gravelly voice, and the help of Westlake's awkwardly phrased song lyrics, Sheara perfectly captures the gritty vulgarity of country music star, Ray Jones, whose upcoming murder trial and troubles with the IRS have hordes of reporters jostling for a scoop. Among them are New York Trend magazine reporter Sara Joslyn, and her editor/boyfriend, Jack, who can't quite get a handle on Jones, even after they are given personal access to his private life. Based on the Warner mass market edition. (May)