WITH REGRETS

Gail Shalan's expert narration vividly brings to life a group of affluent suburban couples whose dinner party is abruptly derailed by a shelter-in-place order caused by a lethal airborne pathogen. Shalan shines as she crafts authentic male and female characters, each with a distinct, nuanced personality. Her portrayal of the notably unlikable Britta is both engaging and convincing. Shalan's impeccable timing heightens the escalating tension as the characters' lives begin to fray under the mounting pressure of both the health threat and the need to return to their children. Although the story's frequent lists of hashtags initially seems repetitive, this element recedes in prominence as the plot intensifies. K.J.P. © AudioFile 2023, Portland, Maine [Published: DECEMBER 2023]