GIFTED

A Novel

By: Stephen Debonrepos

Narrated by: Kelly Asay

Death imitates Art.

Digger can draw. Man! can he draw. He’d be a shoo-in to go to Design Center, the prestigious art school for rich kids, but he hasn’t any money. Design Center is notorious for being tight with scholarships and Digger’s parents are less than willing to co-sign the necessary loans. He lives with his abusive mother and his apathetic sister. His father left them years ago, leaving him with a case of PTSD.

It's 1985 and Digger meets two women who will change his life. How will he change theirs? What happens when an afflicted young person is constantly told to “be yourself,” despite what they might have gestating in their dark mind? Art forgery, con jobs and murder are the result.

Gifted is a slow-burn, coming-of-rage story.

©2025 Stephen Debonrepos (P)2025 Stephen Debonrepos

When Anger Waits

Digger is a gifted artist with no money, trapped in a brutal home life and carrying the scars of abandonment and PTSD in 1985. When he meets two women who alter the course of his future, the encouragement to “be himself” begins to unlock something far darker than anyone expects. What follows is a descent into art forgery, cons, and murder—where talent becomes both a weapon and a warning.

The author, Stephen Debonrepos, delivers a well-developed, tightly constructed story populated by richly realized characters who feel authentic and fully formed. The narrative flows smoothly from start to finish, vividly capturing the slow, relentless build of rage in a way that doesn’t invite the listener to ease into the novel but instead grips and holds them captive. Authentic dialogue, true to each period and situation, grounds the story in realism while deepening the emotional intensity and overall impact.

The narrator, Kelly Asay, delivers a clear, confident performance, speaking with precision while providing distinct and recognizable voices for each character. Subtle tonal shifts effectively emphasize the slow-burning rage at the heart of the story, with well-placed pauses and thoughtful cadence accurately reflecting the character’s inner turmoil. The deliberate delivery heightens the drama and suspense, making the final outcome feel powerful, inevitable, and deeply unsettling.

This is a compelling listen that draws you into the inevitable consequences of a slow-burning rage shaped by an abusive and deeply difficult family life.

There were no issues with the quality or production of this audiobook.