The Catacombs

I’ll admit, I approached *The Catacombs* skeptical of yet another ‘haunted Paris’ trope, but Bates subverts expectations by making the setting feel *alive*—not just as a backdrop, but as an active, malevolent force. The standout story, *The Ring*, plays with time loops and obsession in a way that had me rewinding to catch clues, while *The Tour* is a masterclass in escalating tension, turning a simple guided visit into a nightmare of misplaced trust. Roberts’ narration is mostly stellar, though her French accents occasionally waver into caricature (a minor gripe, but noticeable in *The Artist’s Model*). The pacing is deliberate, with some stories (*The Bone Collector*) dragging in their midsections before landing brutal finales. Where the audiobook truly excels is in its *sound design*—or rather, its *lack* of it. There’s no overdone ambient noise or jump-scare stings; instead, Roberts’ measured delivery and the occasional strategic silence let the horror breathe. That said, the anthology’s structure won’t be for everyone: the interconnected threads are clever, but a couple of weaker stories (*The Photographer’s Subject* feels underdeveloped) disrupt the momentum. Still, when it works—like in the gut-punch ending of *The Last Confession*—it’s unforgettable. Perfect for listeners who crave horror that lingers like the scent of old bones, but be warned: you’ll side-eye every basement stairwell afterward.