Library Journal - Audio
10/01/2022
Story's (Loreena's Gift) latest, narrated by Rob Shapiro, immerses listeners in an unsettling world governed by dreams, ghosts, and memories. Daniel wakes up on a California beach, completely disoriented and surrounded by beached pilot whales; the next moment, he wakes again to find himself in Iowa. He has no wallet, no phone, and no idea of how he ended up there. All he knows is that he must go pick up his brother in San Francisco in five days. Daniel makes a harrowing journey to California, accompanied by ex-girlfriend Jolene and her mysterious friend, Brent. Jolene, whose calm and kindness are skillfully rendered by Shapiro, gently helps Daniel come to terms with his painful past, which includes abuse, mental illness, and substance use disorder. Shapiro's precise and composed presentation contributes to the otherworldly feel of the novel and perfectly matches the cadence of Story's writing. Shapiro's characterizations are superb, particularly for Brent, whose subdued menace is communicated with exquisite restraint. VERDICT This haunting audio deserves a wide audience. Share with fans of atmospheric literary fiction in the vein of Matt Haig's The Midnight Library or Kate Atkinson's Life after Life.—Sarah Hashimoto
From the Publisher
A suspenseful ghost story that takes the reader on an existential tightrope walk to an emotionally charged ending.” —Lance Thompson, Ghostwriter and Script Doctor
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“Story has penned a work that is at once spellbinding, enigmatic, yet literary. It’s a book that mesmerizes—you won’t be able to cease following the emotional saga until the very end, despite feelings of anguish and enormous heartache.”—Nina Romano, Pushcart Prize Nominee and author of The Secret Language of Women and The Girl Who Loved Cayo Bradley
“[Colleen M. Story's] captivating prose successfully mixes an emotionally rich tale of love and forgiveness with supernatural twists that will keep you guessing to the very end. Part ghost story and part literary drama, the final chapters will leave you breathless.”—PJ Dempsey, Freelance Editor and former Senior Editor, Random House and John Wiley & Sons
“A fascinating journey that blurs the boundaries between fantasy and reality. Story deftly treads the razor’s edge between life and death and the in-between with sharply drawn characters and an ending that will touch your heart.” —Doug Copsey, Writer/Producer/Director; Founder, Idaho Writers Guild
“In my opinion, The Beached Ones is author Colleen M. Story's strongest work of fiction to date.”—Marilyn R. Wilson, Book Reviewer, Published Author and Speaker
“This profound and heart-rending novel satisfies on multiple levels. It’s an inspiring story of a brotherly bond that only strengthens when tested, a chilling glimpse into the heart of evil, and a riveting exploration of the mysteries and possibilities of the afterlife.”—Beth Castrodale, award-winning author of Marion Hatley, In This Ground, and I Mean You No Harm
"The Beached Ones by Colleen M. Story is a mystifying supernatural drama that will leave you breathless . . . This book crosses fantasy with drama in a story that you will not put down until you finish the last page."—Vincent Dublado, Readers’ Favorite
