Editors Select: July 2024 (1)

John Wick meets weird fiction

When it was announced that the universally beloved multi-hyphenate Keanu Reeves would be co-writing a full-length novel with acclaimed speculative fiction writer China Miéville, I was all-in immediately. I’ve been counting down the days until I can sink my teeth into The Book of Elsewhere, a cerebral, ambitious listen nestled within the inventive world of Reeves’s BRZRKR comics. The story follows the mysterious warrior now known only as “B,” an immortal figure of legend who has long grown weary of his inability to die. But to other self-interested martial parties, what B views as a burden is a massive boon. Probing big philosophical questions about war, memory, the weaponisation of power and the meaning of life in the absence of death, and buzzing with a wholly original narrative style that wanders through the story like its protagonist does through lifetimes, this listen is set up to be like nothing we’ve heard before. —Alanna M.

Get a divorce, jump on a plane and find out if fairies are real

I’m so glad I took the recommendation of a trusted colleague (thanks, Katie O.!) and gave The Story Collector by Evie Woods a chance. Woods is a new-to-me author and Heather O’Sullivan is a new-to-me narrator – and their collaboration has become the pairing I didn’t know I needed. Blending the past and present, the US and Ireland, the ordinary and the not-so-ordinary – it’s a tale about everyday people that’s full of magic, fairies, love, hope and the power of stories. You will want to jump on the next Aer Lingus plane you see – you’ll know it by the shamrock on its tail – in hopes of discovering your own magical reawakening. —Tricia F

Thrilling Dr. Jekyll reimagining

Get ready for an exhilarating experience with Audible's The Strange Case. As a lover of the classic, I was electrified to learn that the renowned creator of the John Wick franchise, Derek Kolstad, would reimagine this iconic story of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde with a gender-bent twist. Vanessa Kirby, the brilliant star of The Crown, delivers a breathtaking performance in the titular role that will leave you gasping for air. This audio drama presents the duality of the character in a fascinating new light, keeping you on the edge of your seat. It's a must-listen, whether you're a classics buff or dramatic storytelling fanatic. —Kistal G.

“When lost, sit down and yell”

I’ve been a huge fan of Liz Moore since her memorable novel Long Bright River wowed me in 2020. It also kept me up all night, speed-listening until I finished the last chapter. When I heard Moore was releasing a new novel, not only did I know that The God of the Woods would be an auto-download, I was also prepared for another sleepless night. And sleep I did not. This haunting and heartbreaking story centres on a 13-year-old camper who goes missing 14 years after her older brother vanished in the same Adirondack woods. Alternating between present day and flashback, Saskia Maarleveld’s narration is captivating, echoing the story’s eerie atmospheric tension and rich complex characters. Her ability to convey deep emotions and suspense enriches this thrilling journey through one family’s troubled legacy that builds to a dramatic final act. I would gladly forego another night of sleep to go back and listen to this one from the beginning again. —Margaret H.

Alluring performances by beloved narrators

As a longtime Elena Armas fan, I have been waiting for The Fiancé Dilemma since I finished listening to the beautiful HEA from The Long Game and found out there was more coming in the series. The story, which can be listened to as a stand-alone, follows Josie, who after four engagements has sworn off men, and Matthew, who is having one hell of a bad day. When a mix-up leaves the two announcing their fake engagement, both play along – agreeing that no matter what, they won’t end up married. As their chemistry becomes more undeniable, and the lines begin to blur, both Josie and Matthew find that the promise won’t be so easy to keep. From the cameos from my Long Game favourites to the alluring performances by beloved narrators Brittany Pressley and Zachary Webber, I adored everything about this story. —Patty R.

A cyberstalking tale that’s all in the family

Genealogy misadventures are a literary cottage industry – you know the ones: A DNA test reveals a beloved parent is not a biological relation, or is a serial killer. But what happened to Susan Fensten was murkier, creepier and just plain weirder than that. Back in 2003, after her father’s death, Fensten went online looking for relatives who could shed light on his side of the family. When a distant cousin replied, she was thrilled. But it wasn’t long before other relations entered the picture, some combative, others deeply disturbing, and Susan found herself the victim of a terrifying stalking campaign that made her life a living hell. After the FBI got involved, what they found was so depraved they said it was “in a category by itself.” If you’ve heard of this case before, you may know Fensten’s chillingly titled memoir, You Have a Very Soft Voice, Susan. But this episodic production, in which those involved tell their story in an unpauseable documentary format, makes each wild twist feel larger than life. If you’re still thinking about the stalking cautionary tale of Baby Reindeer, this is your next listen. —Kat J.