“The Devil can be a man or a woman...”

The Listener by Robert McCammon is the story about an evil duo who in the 1930s set out to con many people including a rich businessman. In doing so the lives of two children are affected and also of a man named Curtis Mayhew. This man has a strange gift where he can hear things which aren’t spoken.

This book is a thrilling suspense story set in the back drop of the depression during 1930s Texas. The incorporation and the reality of this era is a reminder to what life was like during this historical time. Its with this setting the story is brought to life and it works so well and on more than one occasion pulled at my heart strings. This for me was an emotional read. There are many moments of triumph and extreme tension which keeps you on your toes and reading further. As with his previous book which I’ve read the themes of parenthood, love, loss, struggle, society, and the supernatural are present. The prose is executed perfectly where not only does is bring the characters and the setting together it draws the reader in and keeps them there till the end.

The interconnected encounters of the characters was my favourite element. Our protagonist is a sweet man called Curtis Mayhew. He works as a redcap, is a loving son to his mother who is troubled and a caring man. We have John Partlow who looks like a preacher but he is a con artist. At times his character came across as almost sympathetic but not quite. He is selfish but not as bad as his partner Ginger LaFrance. She is a wicked and evil person and my new favourite female villain.

The Listener is a clever and cunning novel set against the backdrop of the 1930s and tells you of a group of individuals who are on a course to improve their lives but how they do it is a measure of their characters. Beautiful story told in a way that will leave you thinking about it for a long time. I would highly recommend this book. It has become one of my favourite reads of this year.