LEGION

Narrator Joe Hempel lends a gritty voice to Detective Kinderman as he examines a series of religiously themed killings. The murders appear to mimic the atrocities committed by the Gemini Killer, who had been presumed to be dead. In searching for the culprit, Hempel unveils many characters and stories as Kinderman investigates a mental institution with its own eerie secrets. Hempel's gruff portrayals give insight into the grisly origins of the Gemini Killer, along with the dark histories of the asylum staff and patients, although greater variation between characters would increase the realism of these moments for listeners. The story lags at times, but Hempel maintains the pacing, leaning into the detailed, macabre style of Blatty's storytelling. Fans of Blatty's blockbuster novel, THE EXORCIST, may wish to continue the series with this listen. K.S.B. © AudioFile 2020, Portland, Maine [Published: APRIL 2020]