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Speaks the Nightbird

By: Robert R. McCammon
Narrated by: Edoardo Ballerini
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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)

What listeners say about Speaks the Nightbird

Average customer ratings
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  • 4.5 out of 5 stars
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  • Overall
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    5 out of 5 stars

Outstanding story

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

Very memorable book

Did the plot keep you on the edge of your seat? How?

Yes, the story line was excellent

Have you listened to any of Edoardo Ballerini’s other performances before? How does this one compare?

NO

Was this a book you wanted to listen to all in one sitting?

Yes

Any additional comments?

I couldn't put this book down. Since it's long, pick a very long weekend to start it and expect to keep thinking about it long after you've finished.

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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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New reader to this author

Where does Speaks the Nightbird rank among all the audiobooks you’ve listened to so far?

I love this book series and the writing style of the author. I had never heard of him before but will continue through the series and then start on some of his other titles.

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

Perhaps a Charles Dickens book with the complex stories, multiple characters and interesting names.

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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars

profoundly moving

I implore you to enjoy this long and moving story that is so beautifully narrated. and almost never do I comment on stories.

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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars

First time Robert McCammon listener

Never having heard of Robert McCammon before, I was a little skeptical to pick this novel. I have to say I am blown away at his beautiful prose. Now after learning that I must have been living under a rock when it comes to his writing, I am on a mission to hear more and possibly everything he ever wrote. Wonderful story.

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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars
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    4 out of 5 stars

An entertaining and thought provoking listen

I thoroughly enjoyed this, it may be slow in parts but the narrating is excellent and it keeps you interested in the storyline. An exciting whodunnit that keeps you wondering

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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars

WOW!! (lots of !'s in this review!)

How was this book in my Audible library for six years and i not listen to it!!???
This book is a little over 30 hrs long and i listened to it in three days. I couldn't stop!
This was an absolutely marvelous book!! I can not wait to continue on with the series. i have been told by other readers that the series gets better as it goes. I can't even imagine because this one was pure perfection!
And Edoardo Ballerini is an awesome narrator!!
I highly recommend this book!!

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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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    4 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars

A good read

i was hesitant to purchase this book. i always am when I am considering an author I've not read before. i was very glad i did. i loved it. i will be listening to others by Robert McCammon..

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  • Overall
    3 out of 5 stars
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    4 out of 5 stars
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    2 out of 5 stars

Snoozefest!

Would you try another book from Robert McCammon and/or Edoardo Ballerini?

Edoardo Ballerini did a fine job, but I doubt I would try another book from this author.

What do you think your next listen will be?

Something more contemporary and shorter than this one.

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

It's hard to choose, as I could never get invested in any of the characters.

Was Speaks the Nightbird worth the listening time?

Absolutely not! I made it through the first part and well into the second, and I still was unable to really care what happened. I'm only mildly curious to know what happened to Rachel, but not enough to listen any longer.

Any additional comments?

Historical fiction is one of my favorite genres, and I was really looking forward to a great listen after reading all the positive reviews. I guess I should have read on for the not-so-positive reviews, because they all hit the nail on the head as far as I'm concerned----this novel plods along, and I kept hoping something would happen to make me care about some of the characters, but I was disappointed. There is no way I would have gotten nearly so far into this book if I were reading the print version, I would no doubt have thrown in the towel after a couple of chapters. The good news is I didn't waste a credit on this----I got it on sale.

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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

Kept me addicted from the first hour!

Any additional comments?

Characters were likable, real and engaging. I could relate to them and understand them. Plot is brilliantly thought out and unpredictable enough to stay interesting the whole way through. Matthew is an intriguing character that I want to hear more about! I will be buying the rest of this series!

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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars

A bewitching tale

This book turned out to be much more engrossing than I had expected. Although i knew the final destination early on in the book, i was intrigued by the route that would be taken. I was especially pleased that most of the work encompassed the solving of the mystery. The author is an engrossing story teller. Although a period piece, it retains the interest of a twenty first century reader,

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