THE NATURE OF FRAGILE THINGS

Alana Kerr Collins narrates this audiobook in a lovely Irish lilt that gives credibility to the young protagonist, Sophie Whelan, an immigrant whose fortunes we follow. Collins's revealing yet subtle tone is matched by that of Jason Culp, who portrays Marshal Logan, whose matter-of-fact questioning is woven into the story. The pair's narration styles suit this novel in which good triumphs over evil. Desperate to escape the slums of New York, Sophie becomes a mail-order bride and marries the mysterious Martin Hocking. The action takes place in San Francisco before, during, and after the 1906 earthquake. That disaster overlays the evolving mystery. Perfidy abounds. The audiobook becomes a story of three courageous women--all connected to the despicable Hocking. Their strength and bravery win the day. A.D.M. 2022 Audies Finalist © AudioFile 2022, Portland, Maine [Published: FEBRUARY 2022]