LINDEN MANOR

Nancy Peterson grippingly narrates a classic horror story in a modern setting. When Leslie Carpenter is considering a topic for her graduate thesis, she recalls a sinister nursery rhyme called "The Scottish Bride," which her grandmother told her. It's chilling to hear of Leslie's fascination and her mother's revulsion at hearing the rhyme. Intrigued once more, Leslie arranges a visit to Linden Manor to learn about the poem. Peterson's portrayals of Leslie's sweet naïveté and owner Isabel Warrender's forbidding, patrician personality are ideal counterpoints. She effectively builds tension, making listeners shudder as the backstory unfolds. The bleak weather and blood-soaked history of the manor add atmosphere and suspense. Listeners will be unprepared for the disturbing conclusion. S.G.B. © AudioFile 2018, Portland, Maine [Published: MAY 2018]