The Birthing House

A psychological thriller with supernatural overtones, The Birthing House is a tale of one man's descent into madness, where fantasy and nightmare share the same bed. In this brilliantly crafted ghost story, a young couple, Conrad and Joanna Harrison, attempt to save their marriage by starting anew in a rural turn-of-the-century former birthing house. One day, when Jo is away at work, the former owner bequeaths a photo album that "belongs to the house." Thumbing through the antique photos of miserable midwives and pregnant girls in their nineteenth-century dresses, Conrad is chilled to the bone when he sees his own wife staring back at him with rage. The Birthing House is a story of possession, sexual obsession, and ultimately murder, as a centuries-old crime is reenacted in the present with devastating consequences.

From AudioFile

When Conrad and Joanna Harrison begin their new life together in a house that was once used as a nineteenth-century birthing house, their loving relationship falls into turmoil as the horrors of the house take over. This story is far from original, yet author Christopher Ransom provides plenty of chills that will spook even the most dedicated of horror fans, especially as delivered by narrator Edward Herrmann. He reads with a subtle intensity from the very beginning of the story, implanting in listeners a strong sense of foreboding that helps to set the scene for the eventual mayhem. The story is filled with plenty of horror-story clichés but when combined with Herrmann's skillful performance, the results prove to be compelling. L.B. 2010 Audies Finalist © AudioFile 2010, Portland, Maine

About the Author

Christopher Ransom is a native of Boulder, Colorado, who has lived in New York and Los Angeles. He now resides with his wife and three dogs in a 142-year old former birthing house in Mineral Point, Wisconsin.Edward Herrmann (1943-2014) was one of America's top audiobook narrators. He won multiple Earphones and Audie Awards, and his narration of the King James version of the Bible remains a benchmark in the industry.

Reviews

News