CULT X

Where has Toru Narazaki's girlfriend, Ryoko, gone? The question at the heart of this thriller takes us into the fringes of Japanese culture through the capable narration of Brian Nishii. His steady, measured pace reflects the reserved nature of Japanese society. This quality adds to the puzzle of Ryoko's disappearance and her murky past. Nishii is a dependable guide through whom we experience Toru's growing desperation to find out what happened to Ryoko. Is she a willing participant in a dark cult? Or has she been coerced back to her former life? Nishii's delivery brings across Toru's rising panic when the cult appears to have terrorist intentions. Both plot and narration work together to ratchet up this listening experience. M.R. © AudioFile 2018, Portland, Maine [Published: JULY 2018]