THE INTRUDER

In this satisfying thriller, Casey, voiced with nuanced flair by Patricia Santomasso, must negotiate the late night arrival of a bloody knife-wielding girl without being able to call for help due to a vicious storm. Tina Wolstencroft narrates the backstory, which involves Ella, an isolated teen with a controlling mother who is an abusive hoarder. Wolstencroft manages the tricky task of sounding believably young without seeming whiny or stereotypical. Joe Hempel voices Casey's neighbor, Lee, who connects all the mysterious dots at the end of the story. However, while well done, his brief inclusion as a narrator feels unnecessary. Santomasso's sardonic undertone enhances Casey's believability as a loner whose childhood trauma has made her wary of human relationships. Santomasso's narration carries the story. J.T. © AudioFile 2025, Portland, Maine [Published: DECEMBER 2025]