THE STORYCATCHER

Listeners will find themselves double-checking the narrating credit of this audiobook, as it’s difficult to believe that Allyson Johnson is the sole reader. She wows with her vocal characterizations of the living and dead who populate this story. Regardless of a character’s age, gender, or background, she delivers authentic and consistent Appalachian accents. In particular, Johnson brings an appealing frankness to young Shelly, who has a gift for communicating with the spirits that roam her North Carolina mountain home. Pastor Dobbins’s evil character also comes through well in Johnson’s treatment. When a dead girl’s spirit enters young Faith Dobbins’s body, Shelly alone can set things right. This gothic novel, spun from several viewpoints, is a good example of why excellent narration trumps all in audiobook production. J.J.B. © AudioFile 2013, Portland, Maine [Published: DECEMBER 2013]