ILL WILL

An accomplished team of narrators allows Chaon's dark tale of violence and depravity to transition successfully from print to the audio format. The plot abounds with time, scene, and point-of-view changes, providing the depth and complexity that mystery and thriller fans prize. But that same intricacy requires sharp character differentiation and precise pacing so listeners can follow those plot and character twists. Strong individual performances show this ensemble to be more than equal to the task. Be forewarned: Language and descriptions are graphic as the resurfacing of a thirty-year old mystery reveals that things are never what they seem and memories can't always be trusted. Chaon's offering is complicated and unsettling, but listeners who enjoy a challenge should try this uniquely conceived and masterfully presented literary psycho-thriller. M.O.B. © AudioFile 2017, Portland, Maine [Published: APRIL 2017]