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)

Excellent Narration...Good Story

This was one of the best narrations I have ever heard. It is hard to believe only one person narrated given the variation for the different character voices and overall consistency. He even did the female voices tastefully and believably...not corny sounding as other male narrators I have heard in the past who try too hard to sound like a female. The story was good but i felt the ending was a bit disappointing and hard to believe. (accept) after such a long journey. that's all i can say without spoiling it. I do agree the plot maintained interest up to the very end. The way it ended was just a bit disappointing...

Something different

I have read very little about this period of American History. This is an enjoyable story, with good character development. Excellent narration in that it almost escapes the listener completely. Of the topics I am familiar with, there are noticeable gaps in accuracy. It is after all, a story.

Kept me interested

Listen to it on my long rides to and from work. Was actually excited to get in my car for that long ride.

Interesting LONG story

This may be the longest story I have ever listened to. Whew! I found parts of the story riveting but feel that it could've been shortened to prevent pure boredom at times. It was also terribly and shockingly raunchy sometimes and I found myself only being able to listen to it outloud when I was alone. It did wrap up very nicely though so I didn't feel that laborious time spent listening was completely wasted.

What A Surprise!

I initially downloaded this because I did a search of other books that are read by Edoardo Ballerini and this one had such great reviews. I had no idea what I was in for!

While I am a history buff, it wasn't so much the history that drew me in. It was the detail, the characters, the emotion! What a sweeping story of friendship, treachery, goodness, and evil. The characters are so vividly portrayed and so aptly interpreted by Ballerini! They brought out such different emotions - laughter, sadness, fear, and a huge amount of frustration with the main character - which half the town was feeling!

Long and twisty, riding this one 'til the end is well worth it!

I'm hooked! Just downloaded the second in the series.

Very Pleasantly Surprised.

Would you listen to Speaks the Nightbird again? Why?

I would listen to this again. The story was descriptive and yet still driven enough so the listener isn't left bored or lulled.

What did you like best about this story?

The characters in the story are all very three-dimensional figures. From the first hour on you are vested in the characters.

What about Edoardo Ballerini’s performance did you like?

I appreciated that he created an independent voice for each character without the feeling over-exaggerating the performance.

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

30+ hours of listening would be a marathon for anyone in one sitting but I was always very excited to get back to the story.

a really great listen, I am hooked on the series.

Would you listen to Speaks the Nightbird again? Why?

I am not really one to reread a book or listen so unlikely.

Who was your favorite character and why?

Mrs Nettle, her sound judge of character, and compassion.

What does Edoardo Ballerini bring to the story that you wouldn’t experience if you just read the book?

His skill of an actor.

Farfetched, but fun

I'll say right up front that Matthew was just a little too smart, and the pieces fell together just a little too neatly, for my taste. However, that didn't keep me from enjoying the listen! In the end, I really did want to know how all those pieces dropped into place.

The atmosphere of a colonial town on the frontier between English, Spanish, and native America was fascinating to visualize, and Edoardo Ballerini did a fine job of creating a variety of characters who on the surface all could have sounded exactly the same. He has a smooth and soothing voice (probably leading some to say "dull") that to me creates subtle characterizations and no little bit of suspense.

In spite of this story's being rather heavy on coincidence, I enjoyed Mr. McCammon's writing well enough (and he does have a wonderful way with words) to be curious about how Matthew proceeds with his questioning and theory-generating personality into the 18th century and the big city. Give it a try!

Loved it!

This was such an interesting story! It kept me wanting to listen at every opportunity! The narrator did a great job! I definitely recommend this book!

Interesting and evocative

I really appreciate and I'm glad I listened to this book. it was well written and seemed to be historically accurate. it was also very moving and did not shy away from difficult and heart issues. sometimes it made me cry other times I was wrapped up in the characters and afraid for them. I look forward to reading other works by both this author and narrator.