BABAYAGA

Toby Barlow’s novel manages to tie together Russian folklore, witches, pharmaceuticals, and Cold War espionage. And it all makes perfect sense! His efforts are greatly enhanced in the audiobook version by narrator Dan John Miller, a vocal chameleon who, without losing a beat, transforms from a Russian crone (a babayaga, or witch) to a Parisian beauty, a confused American hero, and an effete snob. Miller also makes female voices perfectly believable. The writing in this work is outstanding. All the disparate elements come together for an inspired plot that would be damaged if one were foolish enough to say anything more about it. M.S. Winner of AudioFile Earphones Award © AudioFile 2013, Portland, Maine [Published: OCTOBER 2013]