Audiobook Sample
Listen to the sample to experience the story.
Please wait while we verify your browser...
- Title: Dark Witch
- Author: Nora Roberts
- Narrator: Katherine Kellgren
- Length: 10:43:00
- Version: Abridged
- Release Date: 29/10/2013
- Publisher: Brilliance Audio
- Genre: Romance, Mystery, Contemporary
- ISBN13: 9.78E+12
There’s something magical about listening to stories set in a place while you’re physically there – the way the landscape becomes a character, the way the narrator’s voice blends with the wind. I remember driving through the misty Connemara countryside years ago, listening to an old recording of Yeats’ poetry, feeling the words seep into my bones like the damp Irish air. That same alchemy of place and voice comes alive in Nora Roberts’ “Dark Witch”, narrated with spellbinding skill by Katherine Kellgren.
Roberts weaves a tale that feels both fresh and ancient, like finding a new path through familiar woods. Iona Sheehan’s journey to Ireland resonated deeply with me – that hunger to connect with one’s roots, to find belonging in a landscape that calls to your blood. As someone who’s spent a lifetime chasing stories across continents, I recognized that pull of ancestral memory, that sense of coming home to a place you’ve never been.
Katherine Kellgren’s narration is nothing short of alchemical. She doesn’t just perform the story – she conjures it. Her Irish accents are so authentic they transported me back to pubs in Galway where locals spun tales over pints. The way she shifts between Iona’s American openness, Branna’s guarded strength, and Boyle’s gruff warmth creates a vivid tapestry of voices. There’s a particular scene where Branna teaches Iona about their magical heritage – Kellgren’s delivery made me feel like I was sitting at that kitchen table, smelling the herbs drying overhead, hearing the whisper of centuries-old knowledge.
The story’s blend of contemporary romance and ancient witchcraft creates a fascinating tension. Roberts excels at making the supernatural feel grounded – the magic here isn’t all sparkles and wands, but earthy and practical, tied to the land and its rhythms. It reminded me of conversations I’ve had with wise women in rural Portugal and Mexico, where folk magic is simply part of daily life. The romantic elements sizzle (Boyle McGrath might just be my new book boyfriend), but never overshadow the deeper themes of family legacy and personal destiny.
What struck me most was how Roberts uses Ireland itself as a character. Kellgren’s narration captures this beautifully – you can practically taste the salt air off Clew Bay, feel the damp moss underfoot in the ancient woods. Having spent rainy afternoons in Westport’s bookshops and windy mornings on Mayo’s cliffs, I can attest to how perfectly Roberts captures Ireland’s particular magic. The audiobook’s pacing mirrors the Irish rhythm of storytelling – sometimes rushing like a spring-swollen river, other times meandering like a country lane.
The production quality enhances the experience. The subtle musical cues between chapters evoke traditional Irish airs without being intrusive. There’s a clarity to Kellgren’s voice that makes even whispered spells perfectly audible – crucial when you’re listening while driving through traffic (though I don’t recommend attempting love spells on the freeway).
If I have any critique, it’s that some of the secondary characters could use more depth – but this is the first in a trilogy, and Roberts has always been a master of character development across series. The villain’s backstory left me wanting more historical context, though Kellgren’s chilling portrayal more than compensates.
For listeners who enjoyed “Practical Magic” or “The Discovery of Witches”, this offers a similar blend of romance and witchcraft with a distinctly Irish flavor. It’s perfect for long drives, rainy afternoons, or whenever you need to escape into a world where magic thrums just beneath reality’s surface. Having listened to hundreds of audiobooks across six continents, I can say this is one that lingers – like the scent of peat smoke in wool, or the memory of your first kiss under an ancient oak.
May your travels – both literary and literal – be magical,
Marcus Rivera
