SOURDOUGH

When Lois Clary, a Bay Area software engineer, becomes guardian of a unique sourdough starter, she’s drawn into the surprising underworld of artisan food producers and farmers’ markets. Narrator Thérèse Plummer’s lively performance highlights Lois’s cautious curiosity and delight of discovery as she transforms from non-cooking AI geek to sought-after baker. This quirky story is well served by Plummer’s enthusiasm, although her characterizations can sometimes sound forced, especially when portraying the brothers who give Lois the starter. The audiobook contains special bonus material, including samples of the haunting Magz music (written by the author) that helps Lois’s starter thrive. Ari Fliakos reads several supplementary emails from the high-tech food company that has an unrelenting and possibly nefarious interest in Lois and her starter. C.B.L. © AudioFile 2017, Portland, Maine [Published: SEPTEMBER 2017]