The Chalk Girl

This involving psychological suspense is beautifully narrated by Barbara Rosenblat. Especially well portrayed is Coco, the little girl with Williams syndrome, which provides her with cognitive areas of both brilliance and deficits. Rosenblat's total performance draws the listener in. She slowly, subtly adds drama as she distinctively voices the many characters, including Detective Kathy Mallory and her partner, Riker, as well as Mallory's therapist, Charles Butler. The first murder victim is found in Central Park, surrounded by rats. The murderer is dubbed "The Hunger Artist" because his victims have all been starved, as well as having had their mouths and eyes taped shut, and their ears plugged with sealing wax. Rosenblat's steady pacing and crisp, throaty delivery add calm to some pretty horrific descriptions while still helping to build the suspense. S.C.A. Winner of AudioFile Earphones Award (c) AudioFile 2012, Portland, Maine