THE WINTER HORSES

Narrator James Langton's round, bracing tones greatly enhance Kerr's evocative wartime story. Nazi soldiers descend on a Ukrainian nature preserve, propelling its caretaker and a young orphan to take drastic measures as they try to save a group of wild horses from destruction. Without sacrificing detail in exposition or speed when depicting violent pursuits, Langton's pacing captures the history behind the action while respecting the narrative at hand. Langton's sizable range of accents is a perfect match for this chilling historical fiction. Transitioning neatly between vastly different characters, he delivers vivid internal monologue and high-stakes interactions with an accuracy that immerses listeners fully in Kerr's protagonists. A hauntingly beautiful story and performance. K.S.B. 2016 Audies Finalist © AudioFile 2015, Portland, Maine [Published: SEPTEMBER 2015]