Speaks the Nightbird

By: Robert R. McCammon

Narrated by: Edoardo Ballerini

Length: 30 hrs and 42 mins

Publisher's summary

Audie Award Nominee, Fiction, 2013

Judgment of the Witch

The Carolinas, 1699: The citizens of Fount Royal believe a witch has cursed their town with inexplicable tragedies - and they demand that beautiful widow Rachel Howarth be tried and executed for witchcraft. Presiding over the trial is traveling magistrate Issac Woodward, aided by his astute young clerk, Matthew Corbett. Believing in Rachel's innocence, Matthew will soon confront the true evil at work in Fount Royal....

Evil Unveiled

After hearing damning testimony, magistrate Woodward sentences the accused witch to death by burning. Desperate to exonerate the woman he has come to love, Matthew begins his own investigation among the townspeople. Piecing together the truth, he has no choice but to vanquish a force more malevolent than witchcraft in order to save his beloved Rachel - and free Fount Royal from the menace claiming innocent lives.

©2002 Robert McCammon (P)2012 Audible, Inc.

Critic reviews

“Edoardo Ballerini performs this story of accusation and fear flawlessly. He effortlessly switches his pitch, accents, and timbre to suit the unfortunate Rachel Howarth, the endless curious Corbett, and the various determined characters, good and evil.” (AudioFile)

"a compelling story that should find a wide readership. Highly recommended for popular fiction collections." (Library Journal)

"An excellent story, full of tension and suspense.” (Stephen King)

good story

This is a great story and easy to follow once you recognize the narrators manner of speech;
However the sound is very poor at the end and chapter 20 is basically a lot of noise..Poor recording quality.

This book enters my best-of-the-year list

My first McCammon and I became a fan when I was not even half way through. And now that I am done with the book, I can still clearly see the entire Fount Royal, it's surroundings and all it's characters in my mind. I think this will last for a few more days.

Narrator Edoardo Ballerini made my listening experience as if the real characters were speaking around me. His performance added a great value to an equally great historical fiction.

Robert McCammon’s long crawling novel

The novel is extremely slow. It is so slow that you do not get to pay attention to Rachel, the poor woman who is locked in the jail. I listened to the entire novel, but found that it was not as intriguing as other reviewers had found.

It was a boring book, except for the part where Matthew and Rachel are with the Native American tribe. I wish 75% of the story could have been about their visit with the tribe! That was an interesting and enjoyable part of the story.

It also could have been a better story if it were written as a horror novel.

Oh well, I am a little leery about reading anything else by this author.

Narrator Edoardo Ballerini did an excellent job.

enduring characters

though this book was long, the characters I loved and a story worth the listen/read. I was a bit disappointed in the end, but I won't say more or I'll give it away!

A touch too long, but well done

the one aspect of this audiobook that really won me over was the performance of the narrator good character work throughout, varying voices and styles and actually had me ending up hating one character based solely on The Voice, which in this case was perfection.
story was decent enough for a crime buff but with Lynn more towards historical crime fans, obviously, but still thought it was a a little too long overall.
I do say it was worth the credit so give it a try if you like this genre

Very engaging

Engaging from start to finish. I am looking forward to Matthew's further adventures and travels.

Great performance!

Story is a bit longer then I would think was necessary but the talent was with it. After stilted performances from Dune, Dune Messiah & Foundation, I see how a bad "reader" can totally make or break even classic books. Ballerini is a masterful performer.

DO NOT MISS THIS SERIES

I thoroughly enjoyed this audiobook and highly recommend it to adults. it will keep you on the edge of your seat and listening everywhere you go till the book is over. took me 3 days enjoyed every minute of it from the gripping beginning to the very end when the mini twist and plots are all revealed. an epic page turner with excellent narration and beautiful writing. do not miss this one!!!!!

The Nightbird has spoken

A beautifully written book in the style of the time in which the story takes place. While there are moments when the prose feels plodding, the characters and the story are lively and interesting and one becomes quite invested in their lives. McCammon is a masterful storyteller!

Worth a listen, definitely.

well written, perfect narration, gothic mystery overtones, highly entertaining and I highly recommend. a great way to pass the time.