Adult Fiction
Expiration Dates.
By Rebecca Serle. Read by Julia Whelan.
Mar. 2024. 7hr. Simon & Schuster Audio, DD (9781797168661).
Who can resist a romance that dips a toe into the waters of magical realism? Serle is back and fans will not be disappointed. In this charming tale, we meet Daphne Bell, a single woman who lives a rather ordinary life in L.A. except for one quirky detail. Every time Daphne meets a love interest or begins dating someone, she will at some point receive a piece of paper with the person’s name and the precise amount of time they will be together. There are no surprises when it comes to love for Daphne. One day, however, Daphne receives a slip of paper with just a name: nothing else, no length of time. Could this be “the one” she’s going to spend her life with? Marvelous character development of supporting players is woven into this audio, effectively adding to the enchantment of the story. Voiced by award-winning narrator Julia Whelan, this audiobook is simply flawless. Whelan knows precisely when to add the right inflection and pacing. Her narration adds that extra sparkle to Daphne’s story, and Whelan’s voice is an excellent match for Daphne. Readers should expect twists, curves, and a very satisfying ending. Recommended for readers of Jennifer Weiner, Carley Fortune, and Lucy Score. —Shellie Zeigler
The Frozen River.
By Ariel Lawhon. Read by Jane Oppenheimer and Ariel Lawhon.
2023. 15hr. Books on Tape, DD (9780593748985).
A man found frozen in the river in Hallowell, Maine, in the late 1780s is identified as Joshua Burgess, an accused rapist. A visiting doctor claims the death is accidental, but Martha Ballard has her doubts. When she finds rope burns on Burgess’ neck and evidence of mutilation on the body, Martha calls it murder. Most of the narrative features Martha, mother of nine and the town’s midwife. She’s a strong, principled character, a woman who celebrates the strength of women, and Oppenheimer reads her parts with firm confidence. When Martha faces off with a pompous young doctor and an arrogant judge, Oppenheimer makes the encounters particularly entertaining. Townspeople feature an occasional
