Vacker’s precise pacing and authentically depicted terror elevate this chilling audiobook.
Karissa Vacker skillfully narrates this dystopian horror audiobook about a mysterious painting. Tilly receives the once-in-a-lifetime task of restoring The Mother, the rumored fourth painting of a macabre artist with a tragic story. Then Tilly discovers she’s pregnant, which triggers Motherwise, an incentivized program that supports families in a society experiencing extreme population decline, to closely monitor her health. Vacker easily conveys a wide range of characters using accents and tonal adjustments. She captures a variety of emotions as Tilly desperately tries to complete her work despite the unsettling and sinister happenings that seem to be connected to the painting and to Motherwise’s invasive pregnancy tracking.
Vacker’s precise pacing and authentically depicted terror elevate this chilling audiobook.Pub Date: March 17, 2026
Duration: 9 hrs
DD ISBN: 9798217285402
Publisher: Penguin Audio
Review Posted Online: April 11, 2026
Narrator Amielynn Abellera voices a heart-pounding thriller in which two homicide detectives chase a serial killer while trying to avert the literal end of the world. James Manning and Covina Duwai are trying to solve a series of bizarre murders. As part of those endeavors, they learn that the killings are linked to an ancient legend that heralds the apocalypse, which will be brought about by a physical manifestation of the devil. Abellera shines as the lead detective Covina, but her unusual cadence for the other characters is jarring and filled with needless pauses. Nonetheless, action scenes find Abellera ratcheting up the tension, making for an exciting listen. An unusual thriller blends unique elements with a capable narration.
Pub Date: Jan. 22, 2019
Duration: 8 hrs, 15 mins
DD ISBN: 9781980054399
Publisher: Recorded Books Inc.
Review Posted Online: Jan. 22, 2026
An alternate history of the eighteenth century weaves together the story of the slave rebellion in Haiti, the French Revolution, and the abolitionist movement in England--all wrapped in an undercurrent of magic. Andrew Kingston assumes subtle accents for each setting as listeners recognize the major historical figures of these events and are introduced to a few fictional characters. He shows the rapport and friendships among many of the characters, enhancing the ways that events are intertwined. He maintains a good pace and strong narrative drive even through the building of the background information and the introductions of the many characters. Parry makes the magic seem natural and an integral part of each political climate as he sets the stage for a sequel.
Pub Date: Jan. 26, 2021
Duration: 21 hrs
DD ISBN: 9781549101922
Publisher: Hachette Audio
Review Posted Online: Jan. 22, 2026
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