THE HIDDEN LIFE OF CECILY LARSON

Cassandra Campbell brings her usual insightful delivery to Baker's multilayered family drama. Campbell is an experienced, steady narrator with a smooth, consistent delivery. She adds nuance to Cecily Larson, subtly aging her from the 4-year-old who's been deserted by her mother, through growing up and adulthood, and ending with the 94-year-old matriarch whose "hidden life" is about to be exposed by her great-grandson's DNA project. Secondary characters have less uniqueness to their voices. As the story moves back and forth in time and between two seemingly unconnected families, it is incumbent upon the listener to give 110 percent of their attention to the plot and characters. Disparate threads are slowly woven into a fascinating tapestry of family, secrets, and unexpected connection. N.E.M. © AudioFile 2024, Portland, Maine [Published: MAY 2024]