Buy on Audible Listen on Spotify
by Jan Cheripko
Heartbroken over a failed romance, talented pianist Danny Murtaugh drops out of music school and returns to his rural hometown, where he discovers two new passions: one for the untouched woodlands of the reclusive Frederick P. Garrick, and one for Stephanie, the stunning new waitress at the town diner.
Managing to wrangle permission from Garrick to photograph his land, Danny finds himself returning to the scene of the central tragedy of his life, and a painful unspoken secret. But secrets link to secrets, and in trying to confront his own past Danny will stir up memories those around him would prefer stay buried.
As captivating as a love song, as intricate as a fugue, Jan Cheripko’s stunning novel will enthrall from its opening note to its final, heart-wrenching chords.
| Author | Jan Cheripko |
| Narrator | Spencer Murphy |
| Length | 3 hrs and 38 mins |
| © Copyright | 2006 Jan Cheripko |
| ℗ Audio Copyright | 2008 Full Cast Audio |
Reviews:
“Jan Cheripko’s novel blends routine occurrences such as death, romance, and soul-searching into a wonderful, heart-wrenching story filled with tragedy and the search for meaning in one’s life. . . . The full cast narration is excellent.”
— School Library Journal August, 2008
“Murphy’s well-placed inflections and tones meticulously convey Danny’s emotions and angst. The other readers in this full-cast ensemble capture the essence of the characters through consistent and expressive readings. David Baker is particularly noteworthy in his voicing of good-hearted though flawed Benji Samuels . . . The background music is a haunting, subtle enhancement, never disrupting the flow of the narrative.”
— Booklist June, 2008 
Starred Review
“The prose is poetic, and the cast does a professional job of breathing life into the story. Spencer Murphy is believable as Danny, a young man on the verge of adulthood who is wrestling with grief, guilt, and God. Carmen Viviano Craft also gives an outstanding performance as Stephanie, a waitress with a past who catches Danny’s eye. Musician Todd Hoban enhances the atmosphere with Bach, Sibelius, and some original keyboard work.”
— AudioFile
Listen to samples from this audiobook:
- Ice. Author Jan Cheripko wrote the opening pages of the book as a kind of prose poem, describing the icy world that sets the tone for Danny's story. (2:27) Jan Cheripko 2:27
- Benji and Danny turn to Ruthie for help dealing with the aftermath of their struggle. (2:50) Jan Cheripko 2:51
Meet the Cast: |
|
| Ian Abernathy | Young Danny |
| Holly Adams | Ruthie |
| David Baker | Benji Samuels |
| Daniel Bostick | Mr. Stevens |
| John Brackett | Detective |
| Mark Bruzee | Peter Thompson |
| Bruce Coville | Doctor |
| Tim Fox | Curtis Randazzo |
| Brett Hobin | Trooper 1 |
| Todd Hobin | Trooper 2 |
| Mark Holt | Father Stephen |
| Bill Knowlton | Frederick P. Garrick |
| John LaCasse | Terry |
| John Macri | Charlie |
| Kevin McNamara | Billy Taylor |
| Alice Morigi | Betty |
| Spencer Murphy | Danny Murtaugh |
| Rick Powell | Park Ranger |
| Lauren Synger | Waitress |
| Scott Taylor | Sean |
| Carmen Viviano-Crafts | Stephanie |
| Karis Wiggins | Linda Murtaugh |
| Directed by: | Daniel Bostick |