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)

A New to Me Series

Any additional comments?

What a great start to a new (to me) series. I picked up this audiobook when Audible was having a sale last month. When I first started listening, I wasn't sure if I was going to like the story, as it was quite the departure from his other books. But it didn't take long for me to realize how wrong I was. I was fascinated with the narration, which absolutely brought the characters to life. The story was intriguing as well as intense, and kept me wanting to know what happened. I loved the characters in the story and look forward to listening to the next book in the series. I am so glad that I started this series.

Fantastic EVERYTHING

I enjoyed this book so much.
The narration was OUTSTANDING! Among the very best narration I've ever listened to.
The story included so many interesting pieces- 1690's law, justice, medicine, prejudices, fears, fashion, housekeeping, cooking, city development... I really could feel the world back then!
At just over 30 hours, it's a bit of an undertaking but I loved it!

Perfection

Speaks the Nightbird is quite possibly my new favorite book of all time. McCammon fleshes out an elegant, precise, and wholly engaging mystery set in a period of American history I normally shy away from. Matthew Corbett is a fantastic protagonist: rational, witty, doggedly determined. The stakes in this story are raised, and raised, and raised again, until the reader is all but certain that Matthew will fail.
I laughed, I cried, I shuddered with terror. I came away somehow imperceptibly but most assuredly changed as a human being.
Brilliant.

Could not put down

This book held my attention and I could not put it down.. there was everything going on .. so much so I got my 200 tulips planted, I was consentrating so hard I could not beleive I was finished.
Another great book .. I am addicted now I have to listen to them all.

Wow, enjoyed from beginning to end.

What made the experience of listening to Speaks the Nightbird the most enjoyable?

Of course the story line. It is not the 'usual' historical novel. I truly enjoyed the whole story. I think what made the book even better...was the narrator. Top notch in all his characters. He is now my favorite narator for sure. I plan to listen to the whole series.

Who was your favorite character and why?

Matthew was my favorite character.

Which scene was your favorite?

When Matthew and Rachel are in the Indian camp. But there were so many favorites.

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

At the end when Matthew and Rachel were saying goodbye and also the times where Matthew stood up for his principles.

Any additional comments?

I have to say I was hesitant, but I am very happy that I did listen to this book. As I said in the beginning...wow.

Love the entire series

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

I enjoy historical period mysteries and this one really got me hooked from the very start. The vivid language paints scenes that kept me on the edge of my seat and wanting to hear more at every sitting. Matthew Corbett is my favorite character and the performance by Edoardo Ballerini really brings him to life in my minds eye. Everytime I thought that I figured out "who dun it" I was surprised with twists and turns that had me going in a different direction. What a FUN listen. I have listened to the four books of this series and am looking forward to the next installment.

too long

jumped shark 3 chapters before end. words words words words words words words words el.

Wanted to like it

Any additional comments?

I really wanted to like it, I enjoyed Swan Song and although Speaks the Nightbird is not something I would normally read, I wanted to give it a try.
Here is my problem, the main character, Matthew Corbett is a bore, and whiny, and I just did not like him.
Some things were just too much and unnecessary.
I will say that I loved the performance, Edoardo Ballerini is fantastic, he is the only reason I kept listening.

Great build up but disappoints towards the end

Great story and character development which appears to be building towards a complex resolution. But towards the end story become simplistic and predictable. Some extraneous material seemed irrelevant to the story. Great job by the narrator

Squeezes out every ounce of possible adventure

I really enjoy historical fiction and this book is very satisfying (and also a mystery which just makes it even better). It seems quite well researched as far as clothing, food, housing, etc. It is a great story and every time I thought, OK that should wrap it up, we are at a logical conclusion, a twist came up to extend the book. But the extensions were not just filler, they really made sense and added more enjoyment to the book. So even though it is really long, it is entertaining to the end.