THE BLUE HOUR

Narrator Gemma Whelan masterfully brings to life this dark, atmospheric mystery. Her performance captures Hawkins's beautifully written descriptions of settings, artworks, and characters. The isolated Scottish island of Eris, accessible only when the tide recedes, emerges as a compelling character alongside its recently deceased inhabitant, the reclusive artist Vanessa Chapman. When a human bone is discovered in one of Chapman's sculptures on exhibit at the Tate, attention is drawn back to the island and the mysterious disappearance, decades earlier, of Chapman's husband. Whelan excels at differentiating characters from across the British Isles, creating distinct vocal personas. Yet the audiobook requires careful listener engagement, with its frequent shifts between timeframes and perspectives. A richly layered audio experience for the patient listener. E.Q. © AudioFile 2024, Portland, Maine [Published: DECEMBER 2024]