INSTANT NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLER From the #1 New York Times bestselling author known for her “superb pacing, twisted characters, and captivating prose” (BuzzFeed), Lisa Jewell returns with a scintillating new psychological thriller about a woman who finds herself the subject of her own popular true crime podcast. Celebrating her forty-fifth birthday at her local pub, popular podcaster Alix Summer crosses paths with an unassuming woman called Josie Fair. Josie, it turns out, is also celebrating her forty-fifth birthday. They are, in fact, birthday twins. A few days later, Alix and Josie bump into each other again, this time outside Alix’s children’s school. Josie has been listening to Alix’s podcasts and thinks she might be an interesting subject for her series. She is, she tells Alix, on the cusp of great changes in her life. Josie’s life appears to be strange and complicated, and although Alix finds her unsettling, she can’t quite resist the temptation to keep making the podcast. Slowly she starts to realize that Josie has been hiding some very dark secrets, and before she knows it, Josie has inveigled her way into Alix’s life—and into her home. But, as quickly as she arrived, Josie disappears. Only then does Alix discover that Josie has left a terrible and terrifying legacy in her wake, and that Alix has become the subject of her own true crime podcast, with her life and her family’s lives under mortal threat. Who is Josie Fair? And what has she done?
American · Middle Aged · Female · Narrative Story · Serious
“This voice is explicitly designed for mystery and suspense, offering a smooth, intense quality that perfectly conveys the psychological tension required for a dark thriller. Its serious tone and captivating control are ideal for guiding listeners through a complex narrative.”
British · Middle Aged · Female · Narrative Story · Intense
“Valory B's voice excels at building intensity and suspense, with a natural depth and pacing that immerses audiences. Her British accent adds a sophisticated texture, suitable for a narrator who needs to draw listeners into a gripping story.”
British · Middle Aged · Female · Narrative Story · Intense
“Clarice offers a bold and expressive delivery, capable of building significant tension with each word. The dramatic flair and fluid intensity make it a strong contender for a narrator who needs to maintain a captivating yet measured pace throughout the audiobook.”
British · Middle Aged · Female · Narrative Story · Neutral
“With a measured and somewhat distant quality, this British voice is well-suited for a mysterious and serious narrator. The neutral tone allows the suspense to build organically, without overt emotionality, fitting the psychological thriller genre.”
American · Young · Female · Narrative Story · Modulated
“Veda Sky provides a haunting and intense tone, perfect for a narrator who needs to convey a sense of foreboding and mystery. The modulated quality can effectively build suspense and psychological tension, immersing the listener in the story's dark atmosphere.”
For listeners: use the Best Narrator voice above in ElevenReader or Fish Audio. Character casting is for authors producing audiobooks with studio tools.
Alix Summer
protagonist
A popular podcaster, initially confident and curious, whose voice should evolve to reflect growing unease and eventual terror as her life unravels.
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Blair
Editor’s Pick
Blair
Editor’s PickElevenLabsprofessional
ElevenLabsprofessional
American · Young · Female · Narrative Story · Confident
“Blair's voice is warm, clear, and emotionally grounded, capable of moving between vulnerability, intensity, and reflection. This versatility is perfect for Alix, allowing her voice to evolve from confident podcaster to someone experiencing growing unease and terror.”
American · Young · Female · Narrative Story · Confident
“Jessi's bright, down-to-earth, and relatable tone establishes Alix's initial persona as a popular podcaster. The inherent warmth and engaging quality can then be subtly shifted to reflect her increasing anxiety as the plot unfolds.”
American · Young · Female · Narrative Story · Pleasant
“Kelly's warm, mid-range voice with a soothing yet spirited cadence offers a natural empathy. This conversational flow, combined with a slight emotional quiver, can effectively portray Alix's initial curiosity and later her growing unease and anxiety.”
American · Young · Female · Narrative Story · Pleasant
“Allison's natural, conversational, and articulate voice provides a modern and trustworthy tone, suitable for Alix's role as a podcaster. This voice can adapt well to show the character's initial confidence and then her descent into fear.”
American · Young · Female · Narrative Story · Soft
“Rosie's smoky, warm resonance and subtle mystery can lend an intriguing texture to Alix's character. While initially soft, this voice has the potential for dramatic shifts, making it suitable for conveying her journey from curiosity to terror.”
“This voice offers a smooth, theatrical quality that balances warmth and mystery, making it ideal for Josie's subtle shift from gentle to unsettling. The expressive yet soft tone can perfectly convey her manipulative and secretive nature.”
American · Middle Aged · Female · Narrative Story · Calm
“Kira's steady, articulate, and soothing voice initially presents an unassuming facade for Josie. However, its grounded and mindful presence can subtly hint at deeper, darker intentions, making the eventual unsettling revelations more impactful.”
American · Middle Aged · Female · Narrative Story · Calm
“Solenne's warm, velvety voice with a soothing low register and naturally slow, measured pacing is excellent for Josie's calm exterior. This intimate yet deliberate delivery can effectively mask her manipulative and secretive undertones.”
“Selene's meditative and soft quality provides a gentle and intimate presence, which can be used to portray Josie's seemingly harmless nature. The breathy texture can then be leveraged to create a subtly unsettling and mysterious aura.”
American · Young · Female · Narrative Story · Gentle
“Mina's gentle mid-range voice with a calm, steady presence and smooth delivery offers a polished yet natural sound. This measured pacing and restrained emotion are perfect for Josie's unassuming front, allowing her unsettling nature to emerge gradually.”