The Summer That Melted Everything

By: Tiffany McDaniel

Narrated by: Mark Bramhall

Fielding Bliss has never forgotten the long, crazy summer of 1984, when a heat wave scorched Breathed, Ohio. It was the year he became friends with the devil.

Sal seems to appear out of nowhere - a bruised and tattered 13-year-old boy claiming to be the devil himself answering an invitation. Fielding Bliss, the son of a local prosecutor, brings him home, where he's welcomed into the Bliss family, who assume he's a runaway from a nearby farm town.

When word spreads that the devil has come to Breathed, not everyone is happy to welcome this self-proclaimed fallen angel. Murmurs follow him, and tensions rise along with the temperatures as an unbearable heat wave rolls into town right along with him. As strange accidents start to occur, some in the town, riled by the feverish heat, start to believe that Sal is exactly who he claims to be.

While the Bliss family wrestles with their own personal demons, a fanatic drives the town to the brink of a catastrophe that will change this sleepy Ohio backwater forever.

©2016 Tiffany McDaniel (P)2016 Blackstone Audio, Inc.

The slowest heartache

A heavy drag of a book that ends up being mostly worth it at the end. It took me awhile (like up until the last 3 hours) to get fully invested, but it feels almost planned that way like a long summer day. Subject matter is very depressing, which I typically go for and enjoy, but this almost made me tear up a few times. Ending was just shy of a 9/10. Enjoy.

Tiffany McDaniel is a miracle!

This recording is outstanding in both the content of the material and in the excellence of the narrator. The voice and speaking cadence is spot-on perfect for the material and greatly contributed to my enjoyment of the book. I cannot recommend it highly enough. Her book Betty is just as good. Listen to/read them both!

Started strong but went off the rails at the end

I initially was all in with this book. I was particularly interested in the views of the prosecutor and his approach to his job.

The introduction of the “devil” started well
Enough but by the end there were so many storylines going so many directions that it just became exhausting and contrived. The prosecutor changing sides just can’t happen to retain any reality.

Brilliant Debut Novel

The writing and imagination going into this novel are fresh and pure brilliance! I loved this book and look forward to more from this talented new author!

Tough Read

This is one of those books that is a great story but it would be hard for me to recommend because it is filled with such tough content to get through. This is definitely not a happy summer story, so if that's what you are looking for, move along. It is beautifully written literary fiction that will tear up your soul. I had to know how it ended, but I couldn't wait for it to be over honestly.

The performer was awesome. He truly brought the horror and heartache of the summer that melted everything into brilliant clarity.

I Hope

I hope I will never forget this book. i plan to listen to it again..

I recommend this book.

Beautiful story

I felt so many things while listening to this. Its beautiful and a perfect look into small town midwest life.

poetic, painful and poignant

Tiffany Mc Daniel is insightful beyond her years. Narrative, visual poetry. Beautifully, painfully realised characters.

The only audiobook I’ve read more than once

One of the best books I’ve read in 10 years. Literally top 10. I am still crying.

Powerful new author

That is a story of the ultimate loss - the loss who you are and everything you believe in. It represents some of the best writing I have read in my 60+ years. It is an amazing achievement: completely original and extremely powerful. Her observations on life and relationships, how people see one another ring true

I did not care for the narrator. He read these lines lyrically in a sing-song fashion like a piece by Garrison Keillor. Perhaps my dislike for Mr Keillor clouds my judgement but I felt that the reader demeaned the prose

I would most certainly read more from this author even if she used the same narrator.