The Spectre of Hawthorne Manor

Iona Campbell’s narration is the secret weapon of this audiobook. She nails the clipped, no-nonsense tone of wartime Britain, where Evie Harris’s nursing background paints her as both resourceful and pragmatic. Campbell’s performance makes the lighter moments—like the Pomeranian’s antics—feel as vital as the darker ones, grounding the supernatural elements in a world where ration books and blackout curtains are the real villains. The pacing is relentless, with Elliott doling out clues just fast enough to keep you guessing but never so fast you lose the thread. My one gripe? The manor house’s layout feels oddly vague, which, while intentional for misdirection, occasionally left me mentally fumbling for doorways when I should’ve been focused on who-dun-it. The dialogue, particularly between Evie and the village’s sharp-tongued postmistress, crackles with authenticity, and the final reveal lands with a satisfying *click*—though I’ll admit, I called the culprit too early (my own fault for overconfidence). The production is clean, with just enough ambient sound to evoke the creaking of an old house without drowning out the story. If you love mysteries where the setting is as much a character as the people, this is a treat. Campbell’s voice alone makes it worth it.