THE WITCHES OF NEW YORK

Julia Whelan's glorious narration of Ami McKay's dark tale about witches in late-nineteenth-century New York keeps listeners engaged through a long, lumbering plot. Whelan's delightful Dearlies (dream sprites), her precocious raven, and other nonhuman characters lend an air of whimsy and playfulness to a disturbing story of misogyny and mysticism. She evokes chills with her portrayal of the evil minister, Reverend Townsend, and disdain for the close-minded citizens. McKay has created a large cast, and Whelan keeps each character distinct throughout. Combining these wonderful character portrayals with a strong sense of time and place carries the listeners through the plodding middle of the story to an intense ending. J.F. © AudioFile 2017, Portland, Maine [Published: SEPTEMBER 2017]