Mile 81

This is a lovely, scary little trifle. Master storyteller King uses language sparingly to create a compelling picture of a sunny Maine afternoon, an abandoned highway rest stop, some innocent children, and a car-shaped monster that eats people, whole and live. Thomas Sadoski's young voice is a perfect fit, deftly capturing the aggravation of being 10 years old and left behind by your older brother, as well as the fear and bravado of being 6 and having to take care of your 3-year-old brother after seeing something horrific happen to your parents. Sadoski's matter-of-fact narration of the monster's deeds makes the tale that much more unnerving to hear. The production is rounded out with Edward Herrmann's delivery of "The Dune." It's a very short story with strong forward drive, and Herrmann works it perfectly. What a terrifically creepy way to spend a couple hours. G.D. (c) AudioFile 2012, Portland, Maine