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)

Just a winner, all around.

Would you listen to Speaks the Nightbird again? Why?

It's a mystery, so it'd be hard to be gripped with the same tension and curiosity a second time. But I hope to find more by this author and narrator.

Which character – as performed by Edoardo Ballerini – was your favorite?

The fact that he managed to create a voice and tone for each and every character is way more impressive than any one character. It was so real that I genuinely felt transported every time I listened, and could see the faces, expressions and movements clearly, as if I were watching a movie. I've listened to 30-40 audiobooks, and this is without a doubt in the Top 3 -- a great story, yes, but I'd follow this narrator anywhere.

Was there a moment in the book that particularly moved you?

The realism in the plot... the good guys don't always have it easy, the dialogue wasn't predictable, and each time it felt like it was winding down, it jump-started.

Any additional comments?

Historical novels are tough because you need to paint a detailed picture of a world (here,, 300 years ago) without spending too much time narrating all the "Stuff" that the reader might not know about the period. Here's it's woven in fluidly.

A Myster I Enjoyed!

I don't usually read mystery. Had I known going in that was going to be a mystery, I might have passed it over. I'm glad I didn't know. I enjoyed this mystery set in 1699 in which a colonial magistrate and his clerk preside over the trial of a woman accused of witchcraft including multiple cases of murder, perverted acts and arson. Edoardo Balleri gave voice to the characters wonderfully.

I have only one bone to pick -- and that is the use of sulfur matches, which didn't exist in 1699.

However, I'll forgive that anachronism, suspend disbelief, and enjoy fiction for the sake of fiction.

And now, on to"Queen of Bedlam."

The New Sherlock Holmes!!!!

This book has sit in my library for a long time and when I finally got around to it...the best book I've read in the last couple months!!! Mathew Corbett is the new age Sherlock Holmes. He's on a mission to save Rachel Howarth who is charged with witchcraft. The whole town of Fount Royal is waiting on the decision of Magistrate Issac Woodward. Issac has been knocking on deaths door ever since he arrived in this little town. Someone in Fount Royal is determined to run every last soul out of this damned town or is it the devil and Rachel??? Five books in this great series so check it out...MUST READ!!!!!

Historical Fiction/Murder Mystery

If you could sum up Speaks the Nightbird in three words, what would they be?

Absorbing Intriguing Detailed

What other book might you compare Speaks the Nightbird to and why?

Someone else compared this to Outlander, which is why I chose it in the first place. This is well done but lacks the humor and depth of character of that book/series.

Which scene was your favorite?

I liked learning things about the era that I was previously unaware of - just how every day life was lived plus the historical context of things I thought had occured much later in time.

Any additional comments?

I wish that authors did not feel the need to reach for ever more shocking murders/violence/torture. One could easily skip those scenes and enjoy the book as much.

The best narration of any audiobook I have heard

If you could sum up Speaks the Nightbird in three words, what would they be?

Eloquent, captivating and excellent.

Any additional comments?

I thoroughly enjoyed "Speaks the Nightbird." It was my first time with a Robert McCammon book and will not be my last. Edoardo Ballerini did a superb job with the narration. I would have to say that his narration is the best I have ever listened to. I would buy books specifically to hear him narrate. I will be downloading the next chapter in this series.

Uniquely entertaining

Fantastic story line, of a time in America we rarely get a glimpse of, the prerevolutionary southern colonies. Mccammon is a master weaver of plot, with a talent for making period language both appropriately floral for the period and accessible to modern readers. The kind of book that makes one thankful that it's one of a series.

One heck of a book!

Enjoyed this story very much. Several plot twists, mysteries to unravel and a severe trial with a great ending. There were few unnecessary that were put for shock value that may turn a reader's stomach, but I enjoyed even those. For those who criticize the author for "flowery language" have not read many historic fictions. If you enjoy poetic descriptions and mind boggling mysteries, this is the book for you. To the second book I go!

a pleasant surprise I found by accident

this is not the book I thought it would be, most definitely not my usual genre (of fiction, horror and scifi). however once I got into it I couldn't stop, a wonderfully written mystery you won't guess if you try. you'll be pleasantly surprised by the ending, which was one of the best endings to a novel I've ever experienced. the narration is perfect and always on point, complete with distinctive characters and energies,i appreciated it.

Fantastic

I am not normally a fan of historical fiction but I love Robert McCammon so I gave it a go. The story is great, kept my attention rapt the entire time, wonderful characters, most of which I wanted to reach into the story and slap, and the narrator is perfect.

Captivating

Very much enjoyed McCammon's writing style and the story itself is awesome. Couldn't stop listening.