THE SPY CATCHERS OF MAPLE HILL

Narrator Meredith Orlow captures protagonist Hazel’s energy and curiosity. The story is set in small-town New England at the height of McCarthy-era paranoia. Friendless and lonely, Hazel is obsessing over both creating a bomb shelter in the cemetery her parents run and the new grave digger, who she thinks could be a Russian spy. Orlow contrasts her character with that of Samuel, a new boy in town, giving him a voice that is skeptical and convincingly boyish as he helps Hazel with her detective work. Orlow varies her expression and pacing—even breaking into song—as Hazel uncovers secrets she didn’t suspect or want to know. This is a lively story about actions and consequences, trust and community. A.F. © AudioFile 2014, Portland, Maine [Published: AUGUST 2014]