FROG MUSIC

Set against the 1876 San Francisco heat wave and smallpox epidemic and based on a true unsolved murder, this is the story of how a chance meeting and the tragic events that followed helped a young woman discover her self-worth. Khristine Hvam's broad range of accents and beautifully expressive performance give this audiobook a dimension not found in print. Especially impressive is how naturally Hvam slips into song, giving listeners an extra connection with the novel. Hvam's theatrical training is evident in her skillful rendering of the characters' personalities and emotions—from the cocksure, cross-dressing, frog-hunting Jenny to the seductive, sometimes fearful Blanche and the arrogant, manipulative Arthur. A bonus disc with a PDF of the print book's appendices rounds out the audiobook experience. C.B.L. Winner of AudioFile Earphones Award © AudioFile 2014, Portland, Maine [Published: MARCH 2014]