Audiobook Sample
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- Title: Haunted Bookshop
- Author: Christopher Morley
- Narrator: J.M. Smallheer
- Length: 05:35:11
- Version: Abridged
- Release Date: 01/01/2017
- Publisher: LibriVox
- Genre: Mystery, Thriller & Horror, Suspense, Detective Stories
- ISBN13: SABLIB9786100
It reminds me of a time when I was wandering the cobblestone streets of Oaxaca, listening to the grandmother of my host family weave tales under a flickering lantern. Her voice carried the weight of history, the kind of intimacy that transforms a story into a living thing. That memory rushed back to me as I settled in with “The Haunted Bookshop” audiobook by Christopher Morley, narrated by J.M. Smallheer. This isn’t just a mystery – it’s a love letter to literature itself, delivered through the creaky doors of a Brooklyn second-hand bookstore. And thanks to LibriVox, this audiobook experience is free, a gift for anyone willing to step into its world.
The story unfolds like a slow road trip through a landscape of ideas. Roger Mifflin, the eccentric bookseller at the heart of this tale, runs The Haunted Bookshop – a place less about ghosts in the spectral sense and more about the lingering echoes of great books. When a young advertising man, Aubrey Gilbert, stumbles into Mifflin’s orbit, the plot kicks off with the mysterious disappearance of a book from the shelves. What follows is a delightful blend of suspense, humor, and Roger’s quirky philosophies on the power of literature. You can almost smell the musty pages and hear the rustle of paper as the intrigue builds.
For me, this audiobook experience stirred echoes of another journey – driving through the Atacama Desert with “One Hundred Years of Solitude” filling the car. Just as García Márquez’s narrator brought magic to that surreal terrain, Smallheer’s narration here adds a layer of warmth to Morley’s world. There’s something about her voice – steady, unhurried, with a hint of wry amusement – that feels like a companion sharing a tale over coffee. It’s not a dramatic performance, mind you, but it doesn’t need to be. Her delivery suits the novel’s tone, letting the wit and wisdom of Morley’s words take center stage.
The book’s themes hit close to home for someone like me, who’s spent years chasing hidden histories and human connections. Morley weaves a meditation on how literature shapes us – how it haunts us in the best way. Roger’s belief that books aren’t just objects but living forces resonates deeply. I’ve felt that myself, thumbing through dusty volumes in a Lisbon flea market or swapping stories with a stranger in a Moroccan souk. The mystery itself – a missing book, a shadowy figure – keeps you hooked, but it’s the philosophical asides that linger, like a conversation you can’t stop replaying.
Smallheer’s narration enhances this listening experience beautifully. Her pacing mirrors the novel’s leisurely unraveling, giving you space to savor Morley’s clever dialogue and vivid descriptions. You can almost taste the tobacco smoke in Roger’s shop, hear the creak of the floorboards. The audio quality, courtesy of LibriVox’s volunteer efforts, is clear and unpolished in a way that feels authentic – like a story told by a friend rather than a slick production. That said, it’s not perfect. There are moments where a touch more inflection could’ve lifted the tension, especially in the suspenseful bits. But for a free audiobook, it’s a treasure worth digging into.
The strengths of “The Haunted Bookshop” lie in its charm and its unabashed love for books. Morley’s humor shines through in exchanges between Roger and his wife, Helen, or in Aubrey’s fumbling attempts to unravel the mystery. The atmosphere – a Brooklyn of 1919, alive with intellectual fervor – is palpable. Yet, it’s not without flaws. If you’re expecting a modern thriller’s breakneck pace or a tightly knotted plot, you might find it meandering. Compared to, say, Agatha Christie’s intricate puzzles, Morley’s mystery feels more like a gentle ramble than a sprint. Still, that’s part of its appeal – it’s a story that invites you to slow down, to linger.
Think of it as a cousin to Morley’s earlier “Parnassus on Wheels”, where literature also takes the driver’s seat. Or picture it alongside Dorothy L. Sayers’ work – less about whodunit and more about why books matter. It’s a niche delight, perfect for mystery lovers who don’t mind a side of literary musing with their suspense. If you’re new to audiobooks or crave a free escape into a bygone era, this is a gem worth exploring.
What strikes me most is how personal it feels. Listening, I couldn’t help but recall a rainy afternoon in a Savannah bookshop, where the owner – a wiry man with a twinkle in his eye – pressed a worn copy of Whitman into my hands. He’d have fit right into Roger’s world. That’s the magic of this audiobook – it bridges the gap between the page and the listener, making you feel part of the story. Smallheer’s voice becomes a guide, leading you through Morley’s Brooklyn with the ease of an old friend.
So, who’s this for? Anyone who’s ever lost themselves in a bookstore, who believes stories have souls. It’s for the curious, the dreamers, the ones who hear a tale and feel the world shift. Download it free from LibriVox, pop in your earbuds, and let it take you somewhere unexpected. It’s not just a mystery – it’s a journey through the ghosts of literature, and I’m glad I took the ride.
Until our next story unfolds, safe travels and happy listening,
Marcus Rivera
