The Fallen Stones

Chasing Butterflies, Discovering Mayan Secrets, and Looking for Hope Along the Way

By: Diana Marcum

Narrated by: Stacy Gonzalez

Length: 7 hrs and 5 mins

Publisher's summary

On a butterfly farm in the Maya Mountains, a Pulitzer Prize-winning journalist and author of the national bestseller The Tenth Island finds enduring hope during cataclysmic times.

Atop a hill in the rainforest of Belize, next to the ruins of a fallen civilization, a butterfly farm raises the brilliant blue morpho.

What starts out as the worst vacation ever turns into a quest to learn more about the first-of-its-kind farm when journalist Diana Marcum inadvertently discovers this wildlife sanctuary, which is supported by an international live-butterfly trade.

She quickly becomes acquainted with Clive, the whimsical British millionaire whose childhood passion created an industry, and Sebastian, the Maya farm manager whose stern expression belies a soft heart. Before long Diana and her partner, Jack Moody - new to being a couple - have moved into a long-empty jungle house, cohabitating with bats, scorpions, toucans, iguanas, and the vulnerable but resilient butterflies.

Just ahead, although they don’t know it, are a hurricane and a global pandemic.

This warm, funny tale of finding a way forward when the world seems to be falling apart is filled with the beauty of the natural world and a heartfelt cry to protect it - beginning with butterflies.

©2022 Diana Marcum (P)2022 Brilliance Publishing, Inc., all rights reserved.

Critic reviews

“Narrator Stacy Gonzalez infuses her narration with the humor and warmth that are among the most notable features of Marcum's writing.… Gonzalez is an expressive performer and brings substantial energy to this account of butterflies and the country of Belize. She uses substantial changes in pitch and pacing in a way that ensures that the narrative portion of the audiobook reflects its general goodwill.… Marcum and Gonzalez bring all these topics together in a cohesive and lovely production.”—AudioFile Magazine

“This is a deeply human story, and one filled with plenty of hope.”—Publishers Weekly (starred review)

Warmth, Humor, and Fascinating

This is the second book I have read by Diana Marcum, and again thoroughly enjoyed. At first I was surprised by the bright, plucky tones of the narrator, Stacy Gonzalez. That faded into enjoyment the more I listened. The story drew me in with the descriptions of Belize and its peoples. I am a "back seat" traveler preferring to let others do the traveling and then soaking in their writings in the comfort of my home. This time I didn't have to endure snakes and mosquitoes while learning of the wildlife, the exquisite butterflies, the Mayan people, and more.

Not my cup of tea

There is absolutely nothing wrong with this book. It just doesn't happen to be something that interests me much, hence the 3 stars. I did find parts of it interesting and discovered a few things about butterflies and other creatures. If you're a nature lover or a budding entomologist, you will probably enjoy this book a great deal.

Book surprised m

Enjoyed the book. lots of details worked into a story. Makes want to create a butterfly garden!

I am struggling ….

I have started this book a while ago- i am trying to follow the storyline but it’s not really keeping my attention. It’s boringgggggggg

Keep listening this story is enriching

Lots to learn or relearn with this related experience. While annoyed by the author's picky attitude at the beginning, I began to appreciate her interactions with nature and caring people. I am inspired by anyone who sees promise in our world and shows ways each of us can improve it.

Terrible Reader and couldn’t listen to her after the first 3 chapters

I absolutely loved The Tenth Island and as soon as I finished listening to that I craved more of this author however I was vey disappointed with the reader of Fallen Stones and couldn’t bring myself to finish listening to her.

Transported me back to Belize

After visiting Belize, this story caught my eye. It instantly transported me back to the jungle, the heat, the bugs, the incredible landscape and most importantly the people.

Performance was a problem for me

It may have been a really good book, but I couldn’t finish listening to it because of the reader. Her style of reading was so exaggerated and unnatural that I couldn’t listen after about a third of the way.

Not enough characters deph

It was hard to follow the story plot. Would have love to see more details and deph in the characters
The narrator voice was not pleasant, specially in the beginning chapters

Story and narrator are excellent

This is the second time I’m listening to this book. I love the way the author describes not only the beautiful jungle, but also everyone she meets on the way. She has a great sense of humor and I’m inspired to one day travel to the Belize butterfly garden.