JACKAL

The interplay between the narrators' performances--the layered tension of Sandra Okuboyejo's voice and William DeMeritt's deliberately authoritative yet mysterious presentation--creates a chilling listening experience. Liz, a Black woman in her 30s, returns to her hometown of Johnstown for a friend's wedding. Johnstown is a deeply segregated place with a history of mysterious, violent deaths of Black girls. During the wedding, Liz loses track of the bride's daughter, Caroline, who goes missing, triggering a new wave of fear and recrimination. Okuboyejo's voice captures the mounting dread and determination that drives Liz to find answers. DeMeritt delivers the alternating chapters, providing an eerie memorial to the victims that slowly reveals dark secrets. The result is a compelling mix of mystery and justice. S.P.C. Winner of AudioFile Earphones Award © AudioFile 2023, Portland, Maine [Published: JANUARY 2023]