Narrator Khristine Hvam brings an atmosphere of foreboding to this slow-burn whodunit about the death of an Ivy League swimmer. Throughout, Hvam expertly narrates the perspectives of the deceased's friends, enemies, and family members, embodying each character with a unique tonal quality and emotional pitch. In the eye of the storm is the late swimmer's girlfriend, a teen who seems to be too much of everything--too pretty, too smart, too rough around the edges--for the town to believe that her boyfriend's death was simply a tragic accident. Hvam inhabits each character in a way that toys with listeners, hinting that, if they stay tuned in, the character will provide that one essential clue that will solve everything.
(Thriller. 14-18)Pub Date: 2020
Duration: 9 hrs, 30 mins
DD ISBN: 9781250249005
Publisher: Macmillan Audio
Review Posted Online: Jan. 22, 2026
Greg Chun and Michelle Lee portray the alliance and the attraction between the two main characters whose alternating chapters tell this 1506 Korean mystery. Lee’s narration is suffused with 17-year-old Isuel’s desire to free her older sister from cruel King Yeonsan. Lee projects Isuel’s willingness to learn sleuthing from Prince Daehyun to achieve her ends. Isuel’s hatred of the king, along with her determination and daring, are clear in Lee’s narration. Chun’s portrayal of Daehyun, the king’s wise half brother, has many levels. Chun shows Daehyun yielding regretfully to the increasing demands of the king while slyly plotting treason. Chun’s portrayals of the king are potent with vitriol and menace, reinforcing the author’s trigger warnings for YA listeners.
(Historical thriller. 14-18)Pub Date: 2024
Duration: 10 hrs
DD ISBN: 9780593946114
Publisher: Listening Library
Review Posted Online: Jan. 22, 2026
Seventeen-year-old Matthew's emotional journey in Kao's dark coming-of-age fantasy is unnerving at times due to an exceptional performance by Shawn Jain. Jain's whispery voice is filled with a creepy calm as Matt must determine whether Rae Winter is marked by the devil. Jain emotes tenderness when Matt is with Rae and when he pines for his late mother. While Matt is at school, Jain makes it clear that the teen is carefully controlling his emotions. Jain pivots to anger when Matt is being pressured to "finish off" Rae. Listeners will cringe at Rae's rage when she discovers Matt has spied on her. Fully realized secondary characters such as Matt's landlord and a potential rival help keep this compelling production racing to its dramatic showdown.
(Paranormal. 12-18)Pub Date: 2023
Duration: 9 hrs
DD ISBN: 9780593681916
Publisher: Listening Library
Review Posted Online: Jan. 22, 2026
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