THE BOG WIFE

Narrator Shannon McManus infuses this gothic tale with sinister tension and a creepy atmosphere. The five Haddesley siblings have always been told that their family has a pact with the bog that surrounds their mansion in West Virginia. Every oldest son marries a wife provided by the bog. But when no wife appears for oldest son Charlie, the siblings are forced to reassess what they always thought was true. McManus captures the eerie feel of the siblings' lives in their crumbling mansion. Her performance of their dialogue highlights their complex feelings, rising tension, and arguments. While the novel itself lags in places, McManus pushes the narrative forward, adding energy to the story. K.D.W. © AudioFile 2024, Portland, Maine [Published: DECEMBER 2024]