Lovers & Players

The use of four narrators adds energy, interest and spice to Collins's tale of the glamorous and tawdry lives of the rich and beautiful. Each narrator handles chapters told primarily from his or her assigned characters' point of view. Rather than create full-fledged "character voices," the narrators alter their voices slightly—a deepening here, a hint of an accent there—to make it clear who is speaking. Collins is perfectly cast as Lady Jane, the haughty social climber "with a phony English accent" whose wealthy husband, Red Diamond, refuses to conveniently die and leave her all his money. Sydney Poitier, daughter of the acclaimed actor, is warm and sympathetic in the roles of sweet and conflicted young socialite Amy Scott-Simon and Liberty, a biracial waitress/aspiring singer. Poitier deepens her voice to a sexy drawl to play record mogul Damon P. Donnell and adds some Harlem sass for Cindy, Liberty's cousin. Jack Scalia plays the conniving Red and his gravelly voice is ideally suited to enacting Red's eldest son, real estate mogul Max. Scott Sowers's higher, thinner voice does duty for Red's two younger sons. This lively audio is pure trashy fun that will surely delight Collins's many fans. Simultaneous release with the St. Martin's Press hardcover (Reviews, Nov. 28, 2005). (Feb.)