VISITATION STREET

You won’t know which to rave about first: Ivy Pochoda’s engrossing look at the citizens of Red Hook, Brooklyn, or Ray Porter’s amazing narration. The story revolves around teenagers Val and June, who decide to go rafting on the bay one summer night. When Val is discovered washed onto the beach, the whole neighborhood is drawn into June’s mysterious disappearance. Porter absolutely astonishes in his portrayal of the teenaged girls. He’s completely convincing as adolescent jealousies and angst emerge. And he’s masterful as locals Fadi, a shopkeeper; Cree, a young, black suspect; RD, a graffiti artist; and Jonathan, a dissolute teacher. Pochoda offers a gritty, hopeful literary thriller. Porter’s performance turns Red Hook into a character and makes each person and ghost tangible. S.J.H. Winner of AudioFile Earphones Award © AudioFile 2013, Portland, Maine [Published: NOVEMBER 2013]