THE CARTOGRAPHERS

A superb ensemble of narrators animates this exciting tale of friendships and betrayals, a cartographers' cabal, maps, murder, and towns that may not be there. Among her father's effects, Nell, a cartographer, discovers what appears to be a worthless 1930s highway map. However, this map hides dark secrets as well as a "phantom settlement" known only to "the Cartographers." Possessing it puts Nell in great danger. Nell's third-person point of view comes alive with narrator Emily Woo Zeller's artistry, while the other narrators' perceptive interpretations create fascinating, believable secondary characters. Outstanding performances highlight Peng Shepherd's thrilling literary mystery, which is further spiced up with magical realism. The accompanying pdf of maps and diagrams makes Nell's investigations even more immediate. S.J.H. Winner of AudioFile Earphones Award © AudioFile 2022, Portland, Maine [Published: MARCH 2022]