You're Next

May 9, 2011
Hurwitz (They're Watching) masterfully provokes feelings of extreme dread in this thriller centered on Mike Wingate, who's worked his way up from the bottom to become a successful home contractor in Lost Hills, "a Valley community thirty miles northwest of downtown Los Angeles." Without warning, two thugs, William and Dodge, show up and begin threatening Mike; his beautiful wife, Annabel; and their environmentally aware eight-year-old daughter, Kat, in really creepy ways. William and Dodge sneak into the house and steal Kat's toys, harass Mike at a ceremony honoring him, go to Kat's school, and attack Annabel. Mike, who was raised in a foster home, summons his only friend from those days, the formidable Shep, who has grown up to be a career criminal of considerable skill. The thugs work for the mysterious Boss Man, whose intentions remain unknown until Shep and Mike fight and sleuth their way through intensifying mayhem until they find the unexpected answer to the Boss Man's motive.

Scott Brick expertly narrates this thriller, which oscillates between the present and past to tell the story of Mike Wingate, who is searching for his identity and running from the mystery men threatening him and his family. The production is a perfect marriage of narrator and genre. Brick's pacing follows the story arcs, keeping elements of tension and surprise fresh for the listener. The depth of character development from both the author and narrator provides authenticity. Brick offers a skillful portrayal of Mike as well as his foster home friend, Shep, who returns to help him face the mysteries linked to his past. All this, and good vocal delineations for the villains, makes for a compelling thriller. K.C.R. (c) AudioFile 2011, Portland, Maine