THE COTTAGE IN THE WOODS

Settle in, listeners, for an epic adventure in the Enchanted Forest, where humans, anthropomorphic animals, and fairy-tale characters attempt to coexist. When Ursula Brown arrives to be governess for young Teddy Vaughn, what does she encounter but a slew of oddball characters—including a girl in a bear suit, an inscrutable nurse, townspeople who are ready to come to blows, and a love interest—all brought together amid mystery and melodrama. Katherine Kellgren’s high-intensity narration brings all the characters to life. When the doorknob rattles at night, Kellgren’s high pitch portrays Ursula’s quaking under her covers. Kellgren fills Mr. Vaughn’s Latin quotes with aristocratic authority. And she makes Mrs. Shoe sound just as repulsive as someone who cares more about money than her daughter should sound. Kellgren’s interpretations are to be treasured. A.R. Winner of AudioFile Earphones Award © AudioFile 2015, Portland, Maine [Published: FEBRUARY 2015]