The Accursed

Clocking in at a whopping 23 hours, this sweeping narrative set at the turn of the 20th century, tells the tale of a town in New Jersey where evil seems to have been birthed and is wreaking havoc: a curse, disappearances, abduction, and even an appearance by a man who might be the devil himself. Seasoned narrator Grover Gardner delivers a compelling performance and an enjoyable listen from start to finish. Gardner’s delivery is well paced and thoughtful; his shifts in tone occur just at the right moments and keep listeners on their toes. Though the book’s plot becomes a bit confusing in the middle to latter portion of the novel, Gardner pulls off an entertaining performance—and even voices Grover Cleveland and other historical figures. All in all, a long and winding road made enjoyable by a spirited performer. A HarperLuxe paperback. (March)