WHAT MOVES THE DEAD

Narrator Avi Roque delivers a perfectly paced performance in this concise audiobook, which reimagines Poe's "Fall of the House of Usher." Alex's childhood friend, Madeline Usher, is dying of a mysterious illness. Upon arrival, Alex finds strange mushrooms and unusual wildlife behavior centered around the Ushers' lake. Roque seamlessly switches between English, Scottish, and American accents to distinguish the variety of characters who are unraveling the Ushers' mystery. Their ability to wield a deadpan delivery in moments of dry humor provides a welcome reprieve from the scenes of suspense and are perfect for conveying Alex's jabs at Americans and embodying the family's opinionated horse. Roque's eerie delivery of Madeline's stuttering childlike speech conjures apprehension, holding listeners hostage until the house reveals its terrifying secrets. A.K.R. Winner of AudioFile Earphones Award © AudioFile 2022, Portland, Maine [Published: JULY 2022]