BLACKTOP WASTELAND

Narrator Adam Lazarre-White's voice exudes confidence and depth; his performance is an example of how the best audiobooks deliver pure storytelling. Cosby's story, set in rural Virginia, is gripping. Beauregard is a family man, a husband and father. Running a car repair garage, he's facing financial deadlines as his business loses customers to a competitor. He's also an expert driver, with skills ideal for driving getaway cars. When his financial needs mount, Beauregard accepts an invitation to a jewelry heist, with promises of a big score. The beats of this gritty thriller may be familiar, but the atmosphere feels real, the characters are alive, and the emotional impact is undeniable. Lazarre-White conveys all this with his engaging voice; his performance is nuanced but sounds effortless. S.P.C. Winner of AudioFile Earphones Award © AudioFile 2020, Portland, Maine [Published: SEPTEMBER 2020]