MISCONDUCT OF THE HEART

Narrator Eve Passeltiner delivers a relatable performance as Stevie, a kitchen manager who is a recovering alcoholic, in this somber novel. Stevie has had a hard life since she was gang-raped and left pregnant at a young age. She now keeps her feelings compartmentalized. Passeltiner displays Stevie's reluctance to engage with her emotions by keeping an even tone and unhurried pace when life-altering events occur. When she's introduced to a new family member and possible romantic interest, Stevie begins opening up. Passeltiner speeds up her narration and adds a spunky tone to heighten this change. Passeltiner does an admirable job accentuating this novel's humanity through purposeful pauses and tonal changes that reflect the author's dark humor. S.K.G. © AudioFile 2020, Portland, Maine [Published: JUNE 2020]