A dynamic cast of narrators portrays the faithful and tight-lipped congregation of a Southside Chicago Church after a senseless murder leaves a child without a mother. Young congregant Ruby King is now at the mercy of her troubled father, Lebanon. He is voiced in a stunning performance by Adam Lazarre-White, whose smooth, deep baritone has an undercurrent as volatile as the generational trauma that fuels Lebanon's rage. Terra Strong Lyons takes on the role of Ruby's best friend, Layla. Lyons's tone is relentlessly optimistic and headstrong as Layla uncovers a secret that could free Ruby from Lebanon. In a surprising role, Ron Butler voices the omniscient church building. His performance is prescient and inquisitive as the church recounts the past and present tragedies that tie this grieving community together.
Pub Date: June 16, 2020
Duration: 10 hrs, 15 mins
DD ISBN: 9781488208751
Publisher: Harlequin Audio
Review Posted Online: Jan. 22, 2026
Despite Powers' strong performance, Diaz’s fans may be disappointed.
Narrator Imani Jade Powers puts her all into Diaz's first novel since his Pulitzer Prize, but the story’s emphasis on philosophy, physics, and politics over personality works against her. Powers maintains momentum through the driest sections, though it may be nearly impossible to put a great deal of passion into a speech about Heraclitean philosophy. The story is about a pincher (electricity thief) who gets involved with an orphan and a scientist possibly suffering from dementia. Nearly all the characters come from the same unnamed city, so accents are not an issue, but Powers clearly distinguishes characters and does what she can with the often restricted emotional ranges.
Despite Powers' strong performance, Diaz’s fans may be disappointed.Pub Date: Sept. 29, 2026
Duration: 14 hrs, 48 mins
DD ISBN: 9798217406203
Publisher: Penguin Audio
Review Posted Online: Oct. 20, 2026
Aleman relates Rey’s story with humor, compassion, grumpiness, and authentic accents.
In a month, 75-year-old widower Reyes Miguel Calderón must leave his apartment for the retirement village he and his wife chose a decade earlier. However, Rey is still grieving her eight years after her death, and he doesn’t want to leave the neighborhood that’s been home for so long. Narrator Zac Aleman lets us hear Rey’s grief, isolation, and frustration with an uncaring bureaucracy. The friendship that slowly develops between Rey and Q, a troubled teenager he’s known all her life, sounds real as attitudes of impatience, snark, and disrespect slowly evolve into empathy, respect, and a new lease on life.
Aleman relates Rey’s story with humor, compassion, grumpiness, and authentic accents.Pub Date: Sept. 29, 2026
Duration: 6 hrs, 19 mins
DD ISBN: 9781668659526
Publisher: Hachette Audio
Review Posted Online: Oct. 20, 2026
Kirkus Reviews Issue: Dec. 15, 2026
© Copyright 2026 Kirkus Media LLC. All Rights Reserved.
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