The Art of Baking Blind

For the five finalists in a national British baking contest, the competition becomes a journey of self-discovery, redemption, and hope. Julie Barrie's native British accent and excellent pronunciation of culinary terms bring an authenticity to this audiobook, which focuses as much on the contestants' personal lives as it does on the search for "the new Mrs. Eaden," who wrote a famous 1960s cookbook. By adapting her register, pronunciations, and inflections to match each character's personality and background, Barrie helps listeners keep track of the bakers, each of whom is coping with both the pressures of the contest and problems at home. Despite Barrie's noticeable breathing and swallowing noises, listeners will be caught up in the story, rooting for their personal favorite to win the contest. C.B.L. © AudioFile 2015, Portland, Maine