The Afterlives of Doctor Gachet

I approached *The Afterlives of Doctor Gachet* expecting a novel about art history and got a slow-burning psychological horror story instead. Sam Devereaux’s narration is the glue holding this audiobook together, his voice shifting seamlessly between the measured tones of a 19th-century physician and the ragged desperation of a man unraveling. His performance is immersive, whether he’s voicing Gachet’s clinical detachment or the creeping dread of his nocturnal hallucinations. That said, the narrative’s pacing occasionally stumbles—some historical tangents feel like detours rather than revelations, and the supernatural elements, while eerie, don’t always land with the same weight as the character work. But these are minor quibbles in an otherwise gripping listen. Meekings’ writing shines brightest in the quiet moments: a handwritten prescription that might be a spell, a patient’s fever dream that feels like a premonition. The audiobook’s production is polished, with subtle sound design enhancing the atmosphere without ever overpowering the story. If you’re a fan of atmospheric thrillers where the line between science and the supernatural blurs, this one’s for you. Just don’t expect catharsis—only questions.