THE FABLED EARTH

Cassandra Campbell offers a compelling saga that spans 25 years and eventually reveals carefully kept secrets. In the summer of 1932, on Cumberland Island, Georgia, an annual party is held at the Carnegie mansion. Present are families of the Gilded Age, including spoiled socialite Joanna Burton; her fiancé, Ellis Piedmont; and budding artist Cleo Woodbine. The three form an unlikely triangle when Cleo falls for Ellis, sparking Joanna's jealousy. Tragically, two young men drown that summer. Ellis is one of them. In 1959, Cleo meets Joanna's daughter, Frances, and, in flashbacks, the events of that summer are revealed. Campbell's mellifluous voice is perfect for Brock's lush passages and well-conceived plotting. Campbell's understated performance enhances the beauty of Cumberland Island and the mystery surrounding the drownings. S.J.H. © AudioFile 2024, Portland, Maine [Published: DECEMBER 2024]