New Reviews: Fiction

Alice Austen's debut novel is a small jewel, and the multiple narratives by expert audio actors bring light to each facet. The tenants at 33 Place Brugmann in Brussels just before the Nazi occupation live fascinating, if ordinary, lives. But as everything changes, intimate individual portraits of the residents, wonderfully performed, move the plot forward, heighten the tension,... Read More

Ari Fliakos's exceptional performance of haunted Kostya Duhovny is among the many pleasures of this immersive debut, a combination love story, Manhattan foodie romp, and otherworldly tale. Fliakos captures Kostya's complex reactions to his supernatural ability to bring back the dead through food. Fliakos is ably aided by Tessa Albertson, André Santana, and Kristen Sieh, who all... Read More

Profanity seems to be the only way to adequately describe the outrageous behavior of a classmate of Florence's 10-year-old son, Dylan. Narrator Georgina Sadler's resigned matter-of-fact delivery sets a hilariously irreverent tone in this addictive listen. Just as it seems there might finally be an opening for Florence to revive the pop band career of her youth, Dylan's... Read More

Karen Russell, the magical realism and prose virtuoso, conjures the American Dust Bowl. Her vibrant imaginings are voiced by a stellar cast. Sophie Amoss shimmers as the Antidote, a "prairie witch" who takes verbal deposits; Asphodel Oletsky, a teen recently orphaned when her mom was murdered, is vividly portrayed by Elena Rey; and the masterful Mark Bramhall inhabits the sane,... Read More

Traci Kato-Kiriyama's magnetic performance of this penetrating psychological study is a wonder to hear. Her skilled narration illuminates the complexities of this meditative story of shifting perceptions. With admirable ease Kato-Kiriyama deftly slips into the persona of the unnamed female protagonist, a 49-year-old married theater actress. Her deliberate pacing and subtly... Read More

Will Damron give a straightforward delivery of this slow-burning thriller set in the American West. Two brothers who were left to raise themselves after their mother disappeared go about their daily lives. Their days are filled with odd jobs; nights they spend in a ramshackle cabin. Into their lives comes a mysterious figure who entices them to steal natural resources around... Read More

Erika LeonGuerrero narrates this speculative family drama, taking listeners into a world in which human extinction is scientifically predicted to occur within the next four generations. Charlie and Maggie Tannehill, twin sisters on the brink of adulthood, become involved in a government-led program aimed at delaying humanity's decline through incentivized reproduction.... Read More

Rebecca Lowman performs this atmospheric novel--with a large dash of fabulism--set in the Alaskan wilderness. Birdie is a single mom who is waitressing at a lodge when a man walks in and changes her life. Arthur is an outdoorsman, a man of few words, but it's love at first sight. Birdie and her daughter, Emaleen, go to live with Arthur in his remote cabin, spending the summer... Read More

English actor Hattie Morahan narrates this novel of a secret past, grief mixed with guilt, and the dangerous consequences that result. Beth is a quiet farmer's wife who is living a peaceful existence, but her happiness comes at the cost of keeping silent about her past. When a chance encounter brings wealthy Gabriel Wolfe back into the picture, Beth has to determine whether to... Read More

In a tone of authority and wry humor, narrator Adam Grupper portrays Lev Davidovich Bronshtein--better known as Leon Trotsky--as he visits New York City in 1917. Littell's Bronshtein becomes a hero to the socialists scrambling around the Big Apple's streets as he wrestles with questions relating to his revolutionary ideology, his place in his own family, his relationship with... Read More

Narrator Jo Yuan gives an animated performance in this witty literary translation about South Korean corporate office life. Kim Jihye is a 30-year-old intern at Diamant Academy, an adult education company. Originally hoping to be hired as a permanent employee, she comes to realize that this is likely never going to happen. Instead, another intern, Lee Gyuok, is brought on.... Read More

Robyn Maryke deftly delivers this exploration of a woman's journey into polyamory. The narrator, who never reveals her name, begins the story with recollections of the times her husband, Paul, encouraged her to flirt with and maybe kiss other men. As a wife, she reflects on her role in their marriage, while as a spiritual person, she grapples with moral discomfort as Paul... Read More

Amrita Acharia makes the most of this dystopian reimagining of the rise of fascism in Nepal. She narrates the lives of two women whose fates intertwine in a world shaped by revolution, power, and shifting identities. Kranti, the daughter of a revolutionary, marries into a wealthy and influential family, only to find herself entangled in its internal struggles. Rozy, mistress of... Read More

The tone, tempo, and lilting intonation of all four narrators make this listening experience rewarding. This novel--really four connected, finely crafted novellas--simply engages the listener from the start. Three of the major characters are Nigerian women: a travel writer, a successful lawyer, a powerful business woman--and the fourth, also West African, a maid at a posh... Read More

This dystopian novel, set in an uncomfortably near future, features an innocent woman who is incarcerated for her dreams. Exceptionally well narrated by Frankie Corzo, with brief bursts of affectless officialese delivered by Barton Caplan, the story works remarkably well as an audiobook. Much of the narrative is the protagonist Sara's thoughts, feelings, and reactions. Corzo... Read More

This audiobook begins with plans for a wedding and goes on to include . . . nearly everything else. MacLeod Andrews is an excellent narrator: gentle, funny, sharp, and intuitive. When Cece and Charlie's special day--officiated by Charlie's troubled friend, Garrett--moves in an unexpected direction, Andrews captures the characters' interactions without dramatic excess. Dialogue... Read More

Sebastian Humphreys and Vivien Carter perform this complex story about Hannah, her family, and Max, Hannah's late boyfriend who's now haunting their London apartment. After he dies, Max watches Hannah move on with her life and marvels at how much he still had to learn about her. Before she met Max, Hannah had fled Australia and--more importantly--her family. Humphreys performs... Read More

Nicole Cash delivers a steady and engaging narration of this complex story of immigration to the U.S. from modern-day Nigeria. She captures the novel's emotional depth and the shifting landscapes of Nigeria and New Orleans as Amina's arrival in America coincides with a hurricane. Cash guides listeners through Amina's journey from Ibadan to America, toggling between youthful... Read More

Piper Goodeve's energetic narration is a perfect match for this funny and charming story, making this a perfectly paced listen. Emma takes over her parents' estate-sale business and lands their biggest client to date. The grand house and its furnishings are overshadowed by its reputation: a previous bed-and-breakfast that also offered services of ill repute. Emma, unaware of... Read More

Listeners don't need to be superfans of ice skating to be drawn into this audiobook. The world of pairs skating competition provides the setting for a story of young, elite athletes who are fighting for Olympic gold. Structured as oral history, the narrations are uniformly exceptional. Standouts include Christine Lakin as the complicated lead; her voice captures a mix of... Read More

Golden Voice Cassandra Campbell narrates this story told almost entirely in dialogue. It takes place at a major New York City museum and spans 24 hours, beginning at 5 a.m. on the day of an important fundraising gala. The various characters grapple with dramas both personal and professional. Campbell creates distinct voices for the vulnerable director, her overworked assistant,... Read More

Sarah Slimani gives an engaging and often funny performance of this satirical debut novel. Nadia is a London lecturer who, after writing an academic article about the deradicalization of ISIS brides, takes a job in Iraq to head a UN program to repatriate those women to their homes. Slimani captures the many layers of the novel, which uses satire as a vehicle to explore... Read More

Eliot Sumner narrates a genre-defying near-future novel that often seems like a fairytale. Two children, Briar and Rose, are left to fend for themselves with just a few cans of food in what is most likely rural Britain. Their free-thinking mother is missing, and they fear the government will find them before she does. The story is told in Smith's signature stunning prose, which... Read More

Rukhmani K. Desai delivers a sharp, dynamic performance that captures the biting wit and dark humor of Sanjana Satyanandais's contradictory existence. After she walks out on her failed marriage, her husband goes missing. Desai balances Sanjana's cynicism and vulnerability, making her struggles with adulthood, academia, and modern womanhood sound raw and relatable. Desai shifts... Read More

Rebecca Lowman gives a wondrous performance of this debut audiobook inspired by the real-life 1980s "Preppy Murder" case. In the Upper East Side neighborhood filled with WASPs where she lives, 18-year-old Nina Jacobs, who is Jewish, is spending the summer before college with her friends, drinking and experimenting with cocaine. She is drawn to the preppy, seemingly perfect... Read More

Nigerian author Funmi Fetto's narration anchors this wide-ranging collection of short stories with a steady, immersive presence. She modulates her voice to reflect the unique emotional terrain of each character. Fetto makes it easy to distinguish between Ifeoma's escalating tension as she tries to leave her abusive husband, Nkechi's cautious resilience, and Riliwa's evolving... Read More

Emily Woo Zeller delivers a sharp and nimble performance of this offbeat romantic comedy. Joannie has the opportunity to revive a childhood crush on an unpredictable guy or proceed with the dependable guy next door. Golden Voice Zeller balances the tangled web of relationships with clarity, adapting her delivery to reflect the shifting dynamics of a dizzying list of sound-alike... Read More

Narrator Sasha Frost delivers an outstanding performance as Miss Pauline, a lifelong resident of the village of Mason Hall, Jamaica, who is almost 100 years old. Miss Pauline knows that her time draws near. She hears voices at night, her house has begun making strange noises, and she knows she must right some wrongs. Reflecting on her life with the help of her granddaughter and... Read More

Japanese narrator Yuriri Naka's penetrating narration of this International Booker Prize longlisted audiobook will grip listeners. In her debut novella, Saou Ichikawa, who suffers from a congenital muscle disorder, has fashioned a persuasive denunciation of Japan's cultural insensitivity toward disabled persons. Its main character, Shaka, a 40-something woman who suffers from... Read More

Daniel K. Isaac gives a warm, often hilarious, and touching performance of this delightful family saga. When Jack Jr. awakens from a two-year coma, he's shocked to discover just how much his life has changed. With his boyfriend and job gone, he returns to New Jersey to the family he hasn't spoken to in years and their struggling Korean sushi restaurant. What follows is a moving... Read More

John Kenney's latest novel successfully walks a tightrope between dark humor and genuine warmth, and Sean Patrick Hopkins's narration provides the necessary balance. Bud Stanley is a newspaper writer who one night drunkenly writes and publishes his own obituary, setting in motion a grimly amusing series of events. Hopkins's even tone perfectly conveys Bud's sarcastic wit, as... Read More

M.L. Sanchez's narration immerses listeners in the eerie atmospheric world of a small coastal town in Trinidad, where an undocumented 11-year-old girl named Milagros is sheltering. Sanchez's ability to weave together the story's time-shifts keeps it fluid yet gripping. She captures the unease that ripples through the island via the many characters. Her delivery highlights the... Read More

Robyn Holdaway narrates this atmospheric debut about a summer afternoon gone wrong. As a fractious extended family gathers for a celebration in 1989, a pack of cousins roam the creepy woods around the house, looking for their suddenly missing youngest and oldest members. Holdaway carefully mixes the wry voice of the unnamed narrator, recalling this episode from far in the... Read More

Kelsey Jaffer and Ines del Castillo team up to deliver this touching epistolary novel featuring heartfelt narrations. The story begins when Frida, who is living in Paris, contacts the Seattle bookstore where Kate works in search of a book. Known for her friendly demeanor, Kate is chosen to correspond with Frida. As their friendship grows through a shared love of books and... Read More

This ambitious novel, narrated by Saskia Maarleveld, follows Penelope as she leaves her native Canada for college at the University of Edinburgh. Once in Scotland, Pen seeks out her father's estranged friend, Lord Lennox, who she thinks might be behind her parents' divorce. Lord Lennox, now a famous writer, invites Pen to his family's famed British estate, where she finds... Read More

Matt Bomer's narration brings a steady and thoughtful presence to an emotionally intense novel. Four college classmates try to make it big in New York City: Jude, a trauma survivor; Andy, a doctor and former law professor; and Harold Stein, whose wife, Judy, is also a major player. Bomer's approach to dialogue subtly differentiates the four friends. His portrayal of Jude... Read More

Amy Alexander lends her voice to the second installment of McCall Smith's Perfect Passion Company series. As Katie settles into her new role of running her cousin's matchmaking business, she finds herself growing closer to her neighbor, William, a visiting Australian textile artist. With William's help, Katie works to find mates for an influx of new clients who are all looking... Read More

Rebecca Lowman's propulsive narration brings listeners into the tensions of a couple whose affair leads them into danger. Nick, a high-powered attorney, and Jenny, a successful novelist, have secretly met for six years. Each lies to their spouse, so they can spend one night in a Manhattan luxury hotel. When fire alarms go off, Nick and Jenny try to leave the room but are told... Read More

Eric Yang blends tension and restraint as he narrates this novel, set in a reunified Korea, where the line between human and robot is constantly blurred. Estranged siblings Jun and Morgan reunite to uncover the mystery behind their missing sibling, Yoyo. Yang brings a tough compassion to Jun, a detective in the Robot Crimes Unit, whose latest case involving a missing robot... Read More

Cynthia Farrell tackles the challenges of narrating the fictional biography of the divisive Malinalli, known as La Malinche in Mexico. Malinalli's peaceful and loving family life is shattered when her brother and father are murdered by the Aztec emperor Moctezuma. Malinalli then finds herself given to the conquistador Hernán Cortés and becomes his interpreter. Using her... Read More

Boyd Barrett flawlessly brings to life the eccentric but lovable residents of a small town in Georgia. Listeners meet independent Sarah Lapis Harris--"Slappy"--who buys her family's home at auction, angering her seven brothers. As she settles in, she's continually interrupted by her junk-collecting, sermonizing, flirty neighbor, Fin--who is rendered to perfection. The town is... Read More

Kelly Marie Tran is an excellent choice of narrator for a novel that follows four Vietnamese American cousins whose lives are drastically altered when a wave of violence leads to their community's internment. While Ursula and Alvin remain free, Jen and Duncan are sent to a detention camp, where they struggle with isolation and the harsh conditions. When Jen secretly finds a way... Read More

Fredrik Backman, the talented Swedish novelist, is a witty writer and a keen observer. Golden Voice narrator Marin Ireland grandly performs this story of art, friendship, and what it means to be a teen. Ireland replicates the snarky tone of Louisa, who has just released herself from foster care to go see the work of art that is the fulcrum of the plot. Ireland captures the... Read More

Narrator Jess Nahikian brings to life this collection of bizarre short stories set in the American Southwest. Whether purely human or supernatural, each of the short stories in this collection examines a woman trapped in a state of terror. Even when the supernatural element is just a metaphor, stories of a ghostly prospector haunting the bathroom of a college campus, media... Read More

Actor Peter Outerbridge, who doesn't have a large body of work as a narrator of audiobooks, is outstanding in this debut novel by fellow Canadian Mooney. Although the story is told from the point of view of a 12-year-old boy in the early 1950s, it's not nostalgic, and Outerbridge captures the forthright, occasionally detached, tone of the preteen. The other primary... Read More

Soneela Nankani delivers a grounded, evenhanded performance as she voices the inner conflict of a woman who is caught between two identities. Lata Murthy decides her actual life is too boring and creates another, more glamorous, self with potentially disastrous consequences. Nankani's style reflects Lata Murthy's shifting inner life as she steps into the world of her new... Read More

Thérèse Plummer performs this atmospheric thriller set in a tiny town in Colorado. When Angie and David Sheehan's daughter murders their son, they ask local lawyer Martine for help. But Martine can't handle the case on her own. Enter Julian, her son, who is a big-time lawyer--and Angie's ex-boyfriend. The complex web that ties these characters draws tighter as the plot unfolds.... Read More

The narrators of this audiobook--Donia Bijan, Lanna Joffrey, Nikki Massoud, and Mozhan Navabi--bring the vibrant, multifaceted Valiat family to life with skillful and dynamic performances. This multigenerational family saga spans decades and continents as the story moves from Iran to the U.S. Each narrator captures the nuances of their character with precision--from Bijan's... Read More

Author and narrator Adam Ross mines his own background as a child actor and student wrestler for this nostalgic coming-of-age novel set in the Carter-Reagan era. Its centerpiece is the teenage protagonist's affair with an older married woman, but this is only one aspect of a richly developed narrative that embraces family, career, and student wrestling. At just over 22 hours,... Read More

Ava, Ray, Sasha, and Sky arrive at a controversial treatment center that promises relief through extended sleep. They're all being treated for loss and heartache, and their diverse stories create an engaging tableau. The outstanding group of narrators juggle this journey of loss, hope, and uncertainty. Ava, a book illustrator, struggles with guilt, while Ray, a firefighter,... Read More

Polly Edsell commendably delivers this story set in 1890s London. Listeners meet ultra-confident Quinn le Blanc, who is part of a gang that specializes in scamming wealthy families through complex ruses. Edsell captures characters from multiple classes with a variety of personalities, and delivers colorful descriptions of sights and aromas above and below stairs, creating... Read More

Narrators Katharine Chin and Yu-Li Alice Shen transport listeners with their portrayals of complex characters in this literary audiobook. American Lindsey Litvak, age 22, is fighting for her life in a Shanghai hospital after a hit-and-run accident. Her divorced parents rush to China to be by her side, but they don't speak the language and struggle to navigate their new... Read More

Marin Ireland's narration of this family dramedy maximizes the humor behind finding a half-sibling--only to find out there may be dozens more. Ireland's performance captures Madeline's mix of reluctance and curiosity as she joins her newfound half-brother, Reuben, on an unexpected road trip. Ireland's subtle vocal shifts distinguish each sibling, reflecting their varied... Read More

Matt Godfrey's horrifying first-person portrayal of the serial killer Dan Morley is perfect for this first novel by Robert Bloch, author of the 1960 movie PSYCHO. Dan is molested by a teacher and later becomes a successful author/screenwriter who leaves a trail of mayhem behind him. The 1949 setting comes alive with Godfrey's dynamic delivery of timely jargon--such as "swell"... Read More

Narrator Josh Bloomberg takes listeners through a novel that explores the grief and mysteries of our childhood that plague our adulthood. Culture writer Jacob Goldberg must create a successful podcast for his company, or he'll lose his cherished spot at the magazine he's worked at for decades. After speaking with a former high school crush about his need for a topic worth... Read More

Kristen Sieh's performance brings the listener into the life of a complicated woman whose sexual desire is fixated on commercial airliners. Lisa works as an online comment moderator in San Francisco. She's good at her job, but she reserves her passion for airplanes. She perceives flights as dates, turbulence as flirtation--and a smooth flight could lead to something more.... Read More

Jones's debut novel continually shifts between Margaret's traumatic girlhood and her current life. She's a divorced mom with two daughters, a dominating mother, an earnest ex, and a new boyfriend whom she enjoys, especially sexually. Narrator Rebecca Lowman embraces her character's inner life. Lowman's tone and tempo are just right as she voices Margaret's anxious thoughts and... Read More

Karissa Vacker carries most of the narrative load in this delightful "coming-of-retirement-age" novel. Exploring the ins and outs of aging and what those changes all mean to a long-term relationship, Vacker brings both Kim and Grant to life, as well as a quirky cast of characters in Palm Springs as the couple seeks to escape winter in the Midwest. When Grant goes missing from a... Read More

Greta Jung narrates this moving story of three women: Angelina, Gongju, and Sunyuh. After the unexpected death of her mother, Gongju, Angelina, a recent divorcée, travels to Korea to reconnect with her birth culture. Jung captures Angelina's melancholy and hesitancy with the Korean language. When Angelina meets a relative, family secrets begin to unspool, leading her on a... Read More

Ailsa Piper evokes the stark Outback of Australia in her performance of this captivating novel. To escape her busy life in the city, a middle-aged woman visits a small religious community for peace and quiet. Years later, she returns to the community, this time for good. But not long after she joins the nuns in their daily life, a plague of mice descends upon the entire state.... Read More

Six exceptional narrators deliver the hopes and fears of fictional actors nominated for the upcoming Oscars. They agonize over the past, their careers, their rivalries, and their futures. Cassandra Campbell is especially strong as Adria, an aging three-time award winner who is worried that her younger costar will outshine her. Nancy Linari captures the alienation and anger of... Read More

Marin Ireland's skillful third-person narration engages listeners in a complex plot that shifts through multiple points of view and timelines. Close attention is required to follow the characters and the secrets they're determined to keep. The author plants seeds about the twenty-year-old murders of a group of young women, tangled relationships, and the present-day story, which... Read More

Fans of world literature will sink into this latest offering by a Nobel laureate from Britain who was born in Tanzania. The story illuminates the intertwined nature of our lives--even in contemporary society. Ashley Zhangazha's delivery brings nuance to this coming-of-age story set in a changing Tanzania. His performance captures the distinct rhythms of each character,... Read More

Aida Reluzco's narration brings depth to each character in this coming-of-age novel, which follows eight Italian women from vastly different backgrounds as they navigate the complexities of education, independence, and societal expectations. Banned in 1938 by the Fascist government, this story paints a wide picture of Italian womanhood. Some arrive at college eager to learn,... Read More

Leslie Howard's narration highlights the emotional upheaval and deep-seated anxiety of college student Jane Sharp. After her father's death, Jane finds solace in an online group of true-crime enthusiasts. Jane assists the group with some early cases, but when the murders of three college women in Idaho hit the news, Jane becomes obsessed. Howard delivers an edgy, slightly... Read More

An earthquake has hit Portland, Oregon, causing widespread chaos, and a woman is trying to find a way home. Ariel Blake narrates this story of nine-months-pregnant Annie, who must find a way to reach her husband and make her way home from crib-shopping through the widespread disorder that has resulted from the quake. Blake's dramatic narration captures Annie's fears and... Read More

Betty Shamieh portrays Arabella, a New York City director descended from a long line of Palestinian women. Grandmother Zoya and daughter Naya are performed by Jacqueline Antaramian and Lameece Issaq. The women passionately share how their traditions provide strength in the face of adversity. Together, they pour out these characters' stories with humor, sarcasm, and respect for... Read More

Author/narrator Colum McCann's performance is masterful in this audiobook, which tests the delicate fabric of communication in our digital age. Irish journalist/playwright Anthony Fennell is saved from overwhelming ennui when he's assigned to a ship heading to South Africa to report on a crew that is repairing deepwater communication cables. The cables carry information... Read More

After the death of her young husband, Josephine Reynolds decides her life needs a major change, so she buys her ancestors' old mansion in the historic heart of Nashville. Kathleen McInerney tells Josephine's story as she replaces the mansion's inappropriately modern front door with an antique version that fits perfectly. McInerney describes Josephine's astonishment when she... Read More

The vanishing point in a work of art is the point where receding parallel lines seem to meet. In this audiobook, author Paul Theroux uses this concept in his collection of 18 short stories, each involving a critical moment when life patterns come together. The stories are about men in different countries and in different stages of life. Narrator Joe Knezevich's deep, resonant... Read More

Jenna Coleman's skilled narration elevates this heartfelt and hilarious family drama. Lila attempts to co-parent her kids with her ex-husband, who left her. Her oldest daughter has been skipping school, and her sweet and grieving stepfather has quietly moved into their home, which is in constant need of repair. Lila faces writer's block and is navigating the complexities of... Read More

This eco-thriller is set on a research island near Antarctica. Saskia Maarleveled portrays Rowan, a woman who washes up on the island half-dead. Steve West depicts the island's caretaker, Dom. Cooper Mortlock portrays 9-year-old Orly. Kat Littrell voices teenagers Fen and Raff, along with scientist Alex. As Rowan's injuries heal, she suspects that there's something the... Read More

Narrators January LaVoy and Shayna Small deliver vivid, highly animated, and thoughtfully developed performances in this audiobook. The saga begins in 1865 with a couple separated by slavery and war and makes its way to the present day and a new couple. Thanks to the skilled narrators, the wide array of characters come to life whether they're speaking in 1865, the 21st century,... Read More