THE LATECOMERS FAN CLUB

Diane V. Mulligan won the IndieReader Discovery Award for her timely novel, narrated with great appeal by Becket Royce. Chapters are told from the alternating viewpoints of Maggie, Abby, and Nathaniel, 30-somethings from Boston who are still trying to find their way. Royce deftly presents arrogant professor-musician Nathaniel, disillusioned artist Maggie, and kindhearted bartender Abby. When Abby finds herself pregnant by Nathaniel, who wants old flame Maggie to resume their relationship, each must make difficult decisions. Listeners feel like a friend to each character--seeing their strengths and weaknesses--as Royce commendably handles the novel's emotional range and diverse situations. Mulligan and Royce give us a moving and entertaining glimpse of ordinary people, who are often overlooked in contemporary fiction. S.G.B. © AudioFile 2015, Portland, Maine [Published: MARCH 2015]