The Girl with a Porcelain Face

By: Steve McElhenny

Narrated by: Brychan Llyr Jones

Length: 5 hrs and 1 min

Publisher's summary

October 28, 1985. A hellacious thunderstorm rages over the small tin mining town of Bleddington, waking reclusive teenager, Willard Jennings, from his sleep. As the fleeting flashes of light illuminate the room, he sees brief and taunting glimpses of a broken figure standing at the foot of his bed. Who is she? How did she die? Who will she kill next? The Girl with a Porcelain Face, dare you say her name?

©2023 Steve McElhenny (P)2023 Sicaso Publishing

Intense

This book was very emotional and haunting. Well written and presented well. A brilliant work of art.

The girl with the porcelean face

This was good.I got a bit confused, but I enjoyed it.Narration by Brychan Llyr Jones was very well done. I was given this free review copy audiobook at my request and have voluntarily left this review.

Intense and Engaging

This book is a true work of art that is not only an intense mystery but also hauntingly sad. The story brought out emotions for me from everything ranging from fear to absolute anger. I guess what they say that the sins of the father shall be passed on to the child but in this case that child is a willful teenager by the name of Willard Jennings who is taking it upon himself to find the truth no matter what the cost.
The plot is a complex and interweaving mystery that involves secrets, cover-ups, murder and a vengeful spirit. This book may be geared towards YA, but it reads like a well written mystery that even Steven King would be proud of. The author's ability to keep building and twisting the suspense until you are ready to pop until the very end is phenomenal as it lets you go with a satisfying release. The characters and plot are well developed and realistic. I thoroughly enjoyed and highly recommend this book.
I received this book for free upon my request, but that has no bearing on my honest, unbiased review that I am freely and voluntarily leaving of my own free will.

There's a chip in your face!

"The Girl with a Porcelain Face" by Steve McElhenny, narrated by Brychan Llyr Jones, is nothing short of an absolute masterpiece in the realm of supernatural fiction. This audiobook delves into the age-old question of whether the sins of the father are inevitably laid upon the children, and it does so with a depth and intensity that sets it apart from your average ghost story. McElhenny's tale is one of tragedy, murder, and vengeance, interwoven with decades of cover-ups, secrets, and denial.

From the very first moment I hit play, I found myself utterly engrossed in this haunting narrative. McElhenny takes us on a spine-tingling journey through the eerie town of Bleddington, where a thunderstorm of epic proportions serves as a catalyst for a series of chilling events. It's a story that grips you tightly and doesn't let go until the very last word.

What makes "The Girl with a Porcelain Face" stand out from the crowd is its ability to evoke a wide range of emotions. As a listener, I experienced everything from fear and suspense to empathy and sorrow. It's a rollercoaster of feelings that keeps you on the edge of your seat, and it's a testament to McElhenny's exceptional storytelling.

One of the key elements that elevate this audiobook is Brychan Llyr Jones's outstanding narration. Jones's performance is nothing short of brilliant; it's as if he was born to bring this story to life. His voice, tone, and pacing are perfect for the material, enhancing the overall experience and adding to the mounting suspense in the same way a well-composed musical score might in a movie.

I was particularly impressed by how this audiobook defies categorization as a mere young adult (YA) story. While it features a teenage protagonist, Willard Jennings, the themes and narrative depth are far more sophisticated than your typical YA fare. McElhenny weaves a complex tapestry of mystery and intrigue, all set against the backdrop of one of the most iconic decades of the 20th century: the 1980s. I don't generally care for YA, but I do listen to see if I can find safe things for my kids to listen to, and this hit the nail on the head.

The character of Willard Jennings is a standout in the world of YA fiction. He is a relatable and authentic protagonist, and his journey from a reclusive teenager to a determined investigator of the supernatural is captivating. The addition of an unlikely ally, the school bully, adds depth to the story and showcases McElhenny's skill in character development.

What truly sets "The Girl with a Porcelain Face" apart is its ability to keep you guessing. It's not your typical ghost story with predictable scares and clichés. Instead, it's a psychological thriller that slowly tightens its grip on your imagination. The suspense builds like a coiled spring, and you never know when it will release, creating an atmosphere of tension and anticipation that is truly mesmerizing.

As I listened to this audiobook, I couldn't help but be reminded of a swaying cobra. You know it's going to strike; you just don't know when. McElhenny masterfully employs foreshadowing and clever plot twists to keep you guessing, and the result is a story that remains with you long after the final chapter.

"The Girl with a Porcelain Face" is a tour de force in the world of supernatural fiction. Steve McElhenny has crafted a narrative that is haunting, gripping, and mesmerizing. Brychan Llyr Jones's narration adds a layer of suspense that is nothing short of cinematic. This audiobook transcends its YA label, offering a sophisticated and unforgettable experience. If you're a fan of ghost stories with depth and complexity, this is a must-listen. "The Girl with a Porcelain Face" is a literary gem that deserves a place on every audiobook enthusiast's shelf.

Haunting and Sad

This is a very well written story that is both haunting and sad. A ghost story built around a terrible death that is covered up many years previously. This is a prime example of Karma of doing wrong things. Narrator does a Great job with the various characters voices and the entire storyline, My only complaint is between chapters is a Very, very long pause which caused Me to think recording shut off.

A wonderfully horrific story!

The Girl with the Porcelain Face by Steve McElhenny is an absolutely fantastic story. Is it true that the sins of the father are laid upon the children? This book is a solidly written story of tragedy, murder, and vengeance, compounded by decades of coverup, secrets and denial. I was engrossed in the story from start to finish and it elicited a very wide range of emotions from me. The narration by Brychan Llyr Jones is excellent. His performance was perfect for this book. I received a free audiobook code for my honest review.

Perfect in Every Way!

Twelve hours ago … I sat with tears streaming down MY face as the last dynamically narrated words of “The Girl with a Porcelain Face” faded away. My husband glanced over puzzled and said “weren’t you listening to a horror story?” Unable to speak, I just nodded, but truly, THIS multi-layered story is so much more! I’m not going to get into plot details, I don’t want to give away anything that might spoil this truly powerful and PERFECT story of a horrific deed, and the prices paid, for future listeners. The story flows beautifully, the timeline clearly identified, and well defined for easy following. The characters, with all their humanizing flaws, are brilliantly detailed and fully described! I was able to get an extremely clear “mind picture” of each varied and distinct character BOTH in appearance and personality! The full spectrum of good and not so much is represented, with redemption for some (no spoilers) along the way! The dialogue they speak is brilliantly written, and beautifully descriptive, not only moving the story forward, but providing many a perfectly timed, perfectly placed, humorous tension breaker! The authentic narration is magnificent, truly adding to the “feel” of this horrifying and at the same time to me, beautiful five star story. I loved it, I loved it ALL!