ALMOST DEAD

A disturbed prison inmate escapes incarceration to unleash a vengeful curse upon her family. Alyssa Bresnahan narrates with a sturdy voice but fails to capture the dark, brooding atmosphere of the story. There is little improvisation or character development, and the production suffers because of it. The writing is terse and honest, but Bresnahan's delivery is too laid-back to create any real sense of urgency or terror. As the central character, Cissy Cahill, Bresnahan seems apathetic. If the narrator isn't excited by this story, the listener doesn't stand a chance. L.B. © AudioFile 2008, Portland, Maine [Published: JULY 2008]