In His Image

I’ll admit, I went into *In His Image* expecting a quaint, dated sci-fi curio—something charming but forgettable. Instead, I got a 39-minute gut-punch. Beaumont’s writing is *lean*, with not a single wasted word, and the audiobook’s pacing mirrors that economy. Keach’s performance as Talbot is all sweaty desperation, his voice cracking at the edges as the protagonist’s grip on reality slips. When Heard’s smoother, almost *amused* narration cuts in, it’s like a scalpel twist—you’re never sure if he’s the antagonist, Talbot’s conscience, or something far worse. The sound design is subtly effective: no overdone effects, just the occasional echo or distant hum to underscore Talbot’s fracturing mind. My only critique? The abrupt ending might frustrate listeners craving closure (Beaumont was never one for tidy resolutions), and Heard’s delivery, while chilling, occasionally veers into *too* theatrical—like a villain monologuing in a 50s radio drama. Still, those are minor quibbles. This is a story that lingers, the kind that’ll have you side-eyeing your reflection days later. If you love *Black Mirror*’s darker episodes or the creeping unease of Shirley Jackson, carve out 40 minutes for this. Just don’t blame me if you start questioning your own memories afterward.