THE DEAD AND THE DARK

Soneela Nankani narrates Courtney Gould's debut novel, a diverting mix of mystery, horror, ghost story, and queer romance with just the right blend of insouciance and seriousness. Logan's dads have dragged her from glitzy L.A. to isolated Snakebite, Oregon, as they probe paranormal happenings for their hit television show. Lonely in the unfriendly, homophobic town, Logan teams up with a local popular girl, Ashley, to investigate the disappearance of Ashley's boyfriend. The two girls cope impressively as they uncover lots of creepiness and also discover what they mean to each other. Nankani channels every teen character--whether perky nerd, cool dude, or shy girl--and imbues the adults with memorable characterizations to match their strong personalities, making this an absorbing and fun listen. A.C.S. © AudioFile 2021, Portland, Maine [Published: SEPTEMBER 2021]