Jay Myers, Amber Benson, and Xe Sands narrate the perspectives of a group of childhood friends who reunite as adults. Twenty years after Matty disappeared up a staircase in the woods, Nick convinces Hamish, Lore, and Owen to return and find out what happened. Myers delivers the quiet panic of Owen's internal dialogue while also excelling at sound effects like the buzzing of a vibrating phone and the scratching sound of a fingernail picking away skin. Sands captures Lore's emotional volatility, making her sound like she may burst out yelling at any moment. Benson's voice is so similar to Sands's that listeners won't know a different person is narrating.
Pub Date: April 29, 2025
Duration: 13 hrs, 30 mins
DD ISBN: 9798217065950
Publisher: Random House Audio
Review Posted Online: Jan. 22, 2026
The narration deepens the dread of three brothers escaping war only to question their sanity.
Narrator Eric Fox sharpens a historical horror tale into a breathless listening experience. Three brothers desert the Confederate Army during the Civil War and begin the journey home. Fox's steady, rugged tone grounds the brothers' march and keeps the men distinct. His narration helps the listener track shifting loyalties and deepen the sense of threat without bogging down the action. Fracassi's horror turns on atmosphere as much as plot, and the narration leans into that with measured pacing and controlled tension. At times, the restraint can feel a shade too even, but the recording heightens the isolation and makes the woods feel claustrophobic.
The narration deepens the dread of three brothers escaping war only to question their sanity.Pub Date: April 7, 2026
Duration: 12 hrs, 51 mins
DD ISBN: 9798890931061
Publisher: Vibrance Press
Review Posted Online: May 13, 2026
Kowal’s performance enhances this gothic horror audiobook.
Mary Robinette Kowal narrates this historical horror audiobook about a woman tasked with illustrating parasitic insects. Sonia, a scientific illustrator in 1899 North Carolina, has taken the job of assisting entomologist Dr. Halder in completing his book. Several mysteries surround her new assignment—the local woods are rumored to be full of “blood thieves,” and the animals around Halder’s estate act strangely. Plus, Halder’s previous illustrator was also his wife, whose current whereabouts are unknown. Kowal’s mature voice and precise pacing maintain a creepy atmosphere as Sonia slowly unravels the doctor’s secrets and how they connect to the insects he’s studying. She skillfully uses an American Southern accent and adjusts her cadence to enliven portrayals of the estate’s other workers.
Kowal’s performance enhances this gothic horror audiobook.Pub Date: March 24, 2026
Duration: 9 hrs, 14 mins
DD ISBN: 9781250436153
Publisher: Macmillan Audio
Review Posted Online: April 21, 2026
Kirkus Reviews Issue: June 1, 2026
© Copyright 2026 Kirkus Media LLC. All Rights Reserved.
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