THE COMPANION

Listeners will ascertain quickly that Lucy Blunt's life will not have a happy ending. Narrator Ann Etter presents Lucy's distressing story, speaking in a voice that is, by turns, strong, resigned, contemplative, and morose. Lucy is to be hanged for two murders she may or may not have committed. We don't know which because Lucy is an unreliable narrator in this psychological suspense novel set in New Hampshire in 1855. As scenes shift from the jail to flashbacks of Lucy's earlier life, listeners will sympathize with her but not necessarily like her. Other New Englanders are ably portrayed, as well. This story is well written and convincingly presented--but very gloomy. D.L.G. © AudioFile 2020, Portland, Maine [Published: FEBRUARY 2020]