Audiobook Sample
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- Title: Last House Guest
- Author: Megan Miranda
- Narrator: Rebekkah Ross
- Length: 10:03:22
- Version: Abridged
- Release Date: 18/06/2019
- Publisher: Simon & Schuster Audio
- Genre: Fiction & Literature, General, Contemporary Women
- ISBN13: 9.78E+12
There’s something about a good thriller that feels like embarking on an uncharted journey, and ‘Last House Guest’ by Megan Miranda, brought to life through the audiobook experience, is a trip worth taking. Set in the dual-natured town of Littleport, Maine, this story unfolds like a coastal storm – slow-building, atmospheric, and ultimately explosive. It’s a tale of friendship, suspicion, and the murky waters of memory, centered around the death of Sadie Loman, a summer visitor, and the relentless quest of her local friend, Avery Greer, to uncover the truth behind what the police call a suicide. As a Reese Witherspoon x Hello Sunshine Book Club pick and a New York Times bestseller, it’s no surprise this contemporary women’s fiction piece grips you from the first chapter.
I’ve always been drawn to stories that explore the intersections of class and community – perhaps because of my own travels, where I’ve seen how wealth and locality shape human connections. Listening to ‘Last House Guest,’ I was reminded of a summer I spent in a small fishing village in Portugal. The divide between the locals and the seasonal tourists was palpable, much like in Littleport. I remember long evenings swapping stories with fishermen while the vacationers partied in villas up the hill, and the tension between us felt like a silent undercurrent, waiting to break. Miranda captures this dynamic with precision, painting Littleport as two towns in one – a vacation haven for the wealthy and a gritty harbor for the year-round residents. The friendship between Sadie and Avery, which defies these social boundaries, becomes the heartbeat of the story, and their bond’s unraveling after Sadie’s death is both heartbreaking and suspenseful.
The story’s themes resonate deeply with me, especially the elusive nature of memory. Miranda weaves a narrative that questions what we remember and why, with dizzying plot twists that keep you guessing until the very end. As someone who’s spent years documenting hidden histories and personal transformations through travel, I found myself captivated by Avery’s determination to clear her name while grappling with grief and suspicion. The way Miranda explores female friendships – complex, intense, and sometimes fraught with unspoken tensions – feels authentic and raw. It’s a masterclass in suspense, with each chapter peeling back another layer of deception, much like the landscapes I’ve wandered through, where every turn reveals a new, unexpected vista.
Now, let’s talk about the audiobook experience itself, because a story like this lives or dies by its narration. Rebekkah Ross delivers a performance that’s nothing short of mesmerizing. Her voice has a haunting quality, perfectly suited to a thriller like this, where every word drips with unspoken secrets. You can almost feel the salty Maine air and hear the creak of old summer houses as she narrates. Ross’s pacing is impeccable – she knows when to slow down, letting the tension build, and when to quicken, mirroring the story’s escalating stakes. Her ability to differentiate between characters, especially in emotionally charged scenes, adds depth to the listening experience. I couldn’t help but think of those evenings in Oaxaca, listening to the grandmother’s storytelling, where her voice alone could conjure entire worlds. Ross captures that same intimate, personal quality, making you feel like she’s confiding the story directly to you.
The audio quality of this Simon & Schuster Audio production is top-notch, with no distracting background noise or uneven volume levels. It’s the kind of audiobook you can lose yourself in, whether you’re driving along a deserted highway or sipping coffee on a quiet morning. While I don’t have information on whether this audiobook is free, I can say that the experience is worth every penny for fans of contemporary women’s fiction and gripping mysteries. If you’re lucky enough to stumble upon a free audiobook version, don’t hesitate – it’s a steal.
That said, no story is without its flaws, and ‘Last House Guest’ has moments where the pacing feels slightly uneven, particularly in the middle sections where the buildup to certain revelations can drag. Some listeners might find the multiple twists a bit overwhelming, though for me, they mirrored the chaotic beauty of life’s unexpected turns. Additionally, while Ross’s narration is stellar, there are instances where I wished for a bit more emotional variance in Avery’s internal monologues – some of her grief felt a tad restrained. But these are minor quibbles in an otherwise captivating audiobook experience.
If you’ve enjoyed other suspenseful tales of friendship and betrayal, like Mary Kubica’s ‘The Good Girl,’ which Miranda’s work has been compared to, you’ll find ‘Last House Guest’ a worthy addition to your listening list. It also shares thematic DNA with stories that explore small-town secrets and class divides, reminiscent of works in the broader fiction and literature genre. For me, it evoked the atmospheric tension of Gillian Flynn’s earlier novels, though with a softer, more introspective edge.
I’d recommend this audiobook to anyone who craves a mystery that’s as much about the human heart as it is about whodunit. It’s perfect for long drives, quiet evenings, or moments when you want to escape into a world of secrets and shadows. Fans of contemporary women’s thrillers will find much to love here, as will anyone intrigued by the complexities of memory and friendship. As I listened, I couldn’t help but reflect on my own past – those fleeting summer friendships formed in far-off places, and the lingering questions of what might have been. It reminds me of a time when I left a coastal town in Brazil, wondering about a friend I’d lost touch with, and whether the stories we told each other were ever truly complete.
In the end, ‘Last House Guest’ is more than just a thriller – it’s a journey into the gray areas of trust and truth. It’s a story that lingers, much like the taste of salt on your lips after a day by the sea. For me, it’s a reminder of why I love audiobooks: they bring stories to life in a way that feels like a shared adventure, a whispered secret between narrator and listener.
Until our next adventure, amigos, keep your ears open for stories that challenge and thrill. I’m Marcus Rivera, signing off with a heart full of tales and a road still calling my name. Where will your next audiobook take you? Drop me a line, and let’s swap stories from the journey. Hasta pronto!
