Piper Goodeve narrates this dark academia audiobook set in New Mexico. After five years away, Cella Gibbons returns to her alma mater to help solve a magical mystery involving students and staff. Coming back to campus after dropping out of her master's program dredges up a myriad of feelings for Cella, and Goodeve balances the guilt, shame, and nostalgia she feels. Cella also carries multiple personal traumas from her own time as a student, which Goodeve highlights in her portrayal. But Goodeve's handling of accents, such as Cella's ex-boyfriend Max's drawl, is inconsistent. Additionally, the production choice to have the same narrator read both the main text and the footnotes and other ephemera makes it difficult to keep the structural integrity and flow of the story intact. Overall, a mixed production.
Pub Date: Oct. 28, 2025
Duration: 13 hrs
DD ISBN: 9798895947333
Publisher: Recorded Books Inc.
Review Posted Online: Jan. 22, 2026
A hair-raising horror thriller.
Lindsey Dorcus amps up the thrills of Keane’s debut folk horror work with her chilling delivery. Having grown up in generational poverty, Lou finally lands her dream job. Dorcus captures Lou’s surprise when her boss tasks her to evaluate property in Appalachian Ohio. While at the remote site, mysterious events cause Lou’s anxiety to escalate. Dorcus effectively uses dramatic pauses and gasps when Lou sees strange effigies in the woods, speeds up her pace when Lou is pursued, and pulls back when Lou is drugged. As Lou is driven to the brink of madness, Dorcus closes with an energized fury. Excerpts from a murder podcast and text messages add spice to the production.
A hair-raising horror thriller.Pub Date: April 14, 2026
Duration: 4 hrs, 56 mins
DD ISBN: 9781250435965
Publisher: Macmillan Audio
Review Posted Online: July 21, 2026
Patterson drops listeners into a world of supernatural thrills.
Courtney Patterson vividly narrates this horror novel. In the fictional town of Cold Harbor, Long Island, a centuries-old monster lives in a creepy mansion. Three neighbors become involved with her just as she needs to renew her powers through horrific acts. Two of the women’s children band together with a local housekeeper to defeat the monster. Patterson creates a unique voice for each character, performing Icelandic and Long Island accents, wealthy hauteur, and working-class desperation. She also captures the fear of children who are facing both metaphorical and literal demons. Her renditions are captivating.
Patterson drops listeners into a world of supernatural thrills.Pub Date: April 14, 2026
Duration: 9 hrs, 26 mins
DD ISBN: 9781488237287
Publisher: Harper Audio
Review Posted Online: May 19, 2026
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