Munson's flat and direct narration creates an uncanny intimacy that makes a mental unraveling impossible to resist.
Munson's deliberately monotone narration proves unexpectedly suited to this Kafkaesque tale of domestic horror. His flat delivery amplifies the story's surreal absurdity as a family discovers their sofa has been mysteriously replaced with an identical one. What distinguishes this author-narrated performance are the frequent asides directed at listeners that heighten the unsettling atmosphere rather than diminishing it. Munson’s vocal approach mirrors the prose itself: deceptively simple on the surface yet punctuated by moments of lush, beautiful phrasing that he renders with understated precision. Munson's steady pacing creates a hypnotic quality that propels listeners through a spiral into insanity. His restrained performance transforms the story into an intimate, disquieting experience.
Munson's flat and direct narration creates an uncanny intimacy that makes a mental unraveling impossible to resist.Pub Date: Jan. 10, 2026
Duration: 4 hrs
DD ISBN: 9798228681873
Publisher: Blackstone Audio
Review Posted Online: March 3, 2026
Poetic writing belies this story’s horror.
Saskia Maarleveld splendidly presents this novel set in Victorian London with a supernatural twist. After debt collectors claim her mansion, Caroline heads to London hoping to find her brother, Charlie, only to find that he has disappeared. Maarleveld makes Caroline sympathetic as she begins working as a maid at Charlie’s last known address. There, she’s told to stay in her room and ignore anything she hears on full moon nights. Maarleveld ably portrays strange lodgers and the compassionate landlady. As Caroline continues to search for Charlie, she believes she’s on the trail of Jack the Ripper, putting herself in grave danger. Maarleveld’s occasional whispered narration increases the sense of dread, while the epilogue humanizes the victims and helps listeners empathize with their tragic plights.
Poetic writing belies this story’s horror.Pub Date: Aug. 25, 2026
Duration: 9 hrs, 17 mins
DD ISBN: 9798217338467
Publisher: Penguin Audio
Review Posted Online: Sept. 22, 2026
Kirkus Reviews Issue: Nov. 1, 2026
Lavery’s narration grounds listeners, who will be guessing until the very end.
EJ Lavery’s Spanish accent and emotionally resonant performance enrich this dual-perspective horror audiobook set in Albuquerque, New Mexico. Twenty years ago, Fortuna barely escaped the infamous serial killer, the Reaper. Now, she’s just won the lottery and can finally afford a better home for her family—and a better school district. But then a body shows up in her yard, murdered in a way that’s suspiciously similar to the Reaper’s methods. As Fortuna dissociates, Lavery’s depiction is particularly chilling. When Lavery voices sections from Detective Palacio’s perspective, the audiobook unfolds like a thrilling mystery.
Lavery’s narration grounds listeners, who will be guessing until the very end.Pub Date: Aug. 18, 2026
Duration: 11 hrs, 45 mins
DD ISBN: 9781668657126
Publisher: Hachette Audio
Review Posted Online: Sept. 8, 2026
© Copyright 2026 Kirkus Media LLC. All Rights Reserved.
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