the setup…
It’s the summer of 1999 in Bloomington, Indiana and 16-year old Marshall Miller has just received his driver’s license when he’s stopped shortly after leaving the DMV. The police encounter was odd and unsettling but Marshall also noticed the troubled young woman in the back of Officer Maddox’s patrol car. He’s given a citation and moved on but that encounter later proves to be a life changing event.
the heart of the story…
Marshall becomes the town’s focus when he later learns the young woman in the back of that patrol car is missing and the man who stopped him wasn’t a police officer. He interns with Noah Storm, the PI who’s investigating the case and so begins Marshall’s entry into the strange and supernatural. I really liked Marshall and wasn’t always sure I could trust Noah, going back and forth about that. It was interesting experiencing the events through Marshall’s eyes, a somewhat average but decent kid who has a strong moral center and was raised by his single mother. He had to grow up fast as he was dealing with strong, malevolent forces he was desperate to understand.
the narration…
I’m so glad I opted to listen to this story as the narrator is a great storyteller and this was the ultimate one to tell! He also managed the character voice distinctions really well.
the bottom line…
I don’t read many supernatural tales, let alone much in the horror genre. However, this is a confluence of so many genre elements…mystery, suspense, coming of age, romance…that it has a different feel. Be forewarned though that it had one of my triggers (snakes) that had me wanting to abandon it at times. But the mystery was exceptionally compelling and I was invested in knowing where it would lead and learning who was this Maddox and what happened to that young woman. Marshall is so well developed, along with a strong slate of secondary characters. The payoff was well worth my putting up with those snakes, one that far exceeded my imagination!
Book Info
- Release Date: March 26, 2024
- Narrator: Corey Brill
- Audio Length: 15 hours, 31 minutes
- Publisher: Simon & Schuster Audio
Listen to a Sample!
Goodreads | Barnes & Noble | Kobo | Libro.fm
(Thanks to Simon & Schuster Audio for my complimentary copy. All opinions are my own.)
Blue Mood Café 
Fab review Jo, glad you managed to get past the snakes and enjoyed it!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks, Nicki💜 It was a miracle given my phobia about them😏
LikeLiked by 1 person
I do like the sound of this one. Love my supernatural stories that are well done!
LikeLiked by 1 person
I think you’d like it as it’s unique and Matthew is a great character.
LikeLiked by 1 person
I don’t read this genre too but based on this review maybe I want to make an exception.
LikeLiked by 1 person
I went into this naively and it took a long time for the horror aspects to show up (~50%). By that time, I was so invested in Matthew there was no way I was giving up. He’s worth the time, Jodie💜
LikeLike
Interesting. I am seeing more books set in the 80s or 90s which are not historical but are.
Anne
LikeLiked by 1 person
I agree. FYI, Scott Carson is Michael Koryta’s pseudonym.
LikeLike
Oh, this one sounds good. I love mysteries but don’t read them as often as I should I will add this audiobook to my TBR. Thanks for the great review.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks, Sarah💜 Though it was out of my comfort zone, I have no regrets!
LikeLike
Fab review Jo, not a genre I pick often at all.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you, Sarah💜 Me either!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Wonderful review, Jo. I really like the sound of this one, but I do not enjoy horror anymore. I’m still thinking about it though, the mark of your great review.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you, Carla💜 Then my job is done😏
LikeLiked by 1 person
Uhhh I like the sound of this, I love mysteries and horror!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Then you’ll love this, Ani💜
LikeLike
Fab review! This isn’t my usual read either, but I’m definitely intrigued now. xx
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you, Yvo💜 I’m also careful about coming of age stories so I took a real chance on this one.
LikeLike