cover image Safe Haven

Safe Haven

Nicholas Sparks, read by Rebecca Lowman. Hachette Audio, abridged, six CDs, 7 hrs., $14.98 ISBN 978-1-60941-392-7

When Katie turns up in Southport, N.C., her presence in the small town and determination to keep to herself raises questions. But when events beyond her control force Katie to open up%E2%80%94and she begins to fall in love%E2%80%94she must come to grips with a dark secret from her past. Narrator Rebecca Lowman captures the essence of Sparks' novel and creates numerous voices and dialects for his characters, including the smooth Southern drawl of Katie's mysterious neighbor and sisterly confidant Jo, as well as the New England accent of Katie's estranged husband Kevin. Lowman also does her best to keep Katie from descending into movie-of-the week victimhood, particularly as the heroine enters into a budding romance with widower storekeeper Alex. A Grand Central paperback. (Aug.)