FOREST 404

Stop everything and listen to this stunning eco-thriller, first published as a BBC podcast. Narrator Pearl Mackie's earnest, affable portrayal of a librarian who is lured by a recording of a rainforest that her government inexplicably deems dangerous will immerse listeners. Tanya Moody, in turn, offers a chilling, and quite sultry, performance as a villain. Pippa Haywood's tone as the rogue underworld misfit adds a much-needed layer of dry humor to this timely story of what happens when humans overestimate their importance in a delicate ecosystem. While FOREST 404 is a cautionary tale, it's also a convincing and hopeful plea to listeners. Unsolicited advice: Wear earbuds, don't skip the interludes, and listen to the bonus interviews at the end. G.P. Winner of AudioFile Earphones Award © AudioFile 2021, Portland, Maine [Published: JANUARY 2021]