OUR CASTLE BY THE SEA

Author Lucy Strange narrates her second book, capturing the historical thriller’s gothic atmosphere. The story transports listeners to the southeast coast of England at the beginning of WWII. Strange imbues her words with impactful inflections and poignant pauses that take listeners into the heart of 12-year-old Pet. An encroaching war is confusing enough, but worse yet are changes that begin when her family has to paint their beloved lighthouse green. Soon that means little when Pet’s German-born mother is interred as an enemy alien. Amid the larger backdrop of the rescue at Dunkirk, family members’ puzzling, secretive actions finally make sense. Through her writing and narration Strange provides a believable sense of Pet’s growth from disabling anxiety to courage and determination. S.W. Winner of AudioFile Earphones Award, 2020 Audies Finalist © AudioFile 2019, Portland, Maine [Published: MAY 2019]