Cherry Laurel

By: Scott William Burrows

Narrated by: Marc Ginsburg

Winner 2020 Best New Author Award - AudioBookReviewer.com

The child lay on his back, in her shadow, in that eternity after the faint, listening to his senses lapping out, until he was empty, until he was blind, until he saw none of a thousand bruises from her ankles to the dark hair breaking on a shoulder, until he forgot all but a long white dress on the back of a folding chair. He'd happened on a failed life at the peak of its undoing, where something leaves the eye and nothing beautiful remains, and yet, within these terrors, he felt the answers to all questions close at hand, and he might have shed his flesh to know them - to join with those who knew - if not for the mortal agent who stepped into the light.

Before the last angel fled, she told him without voice not to let his fear devour him. She planted in his nature a gift that would shield him against those who would seek to break him, and though he would never forget her embrace, the face of his angel was marred by the sun and forever unknown to him...

On a warm August morning in 1975, Rita Watt unfolds a chair, takes off her dress, and hangs herself in a dusty garage in Montana.

This is where her story ends.

Five children cross her path that day.

Cherry Laurel is their story.

"A brilliant piece of literature... Burrows has an exceptional storytelling ability." (OnlineBookClub.org)

"Powerful and unsettling... Burrows knows the value of keeping the listener on the edge." (AudioBookReviewer.com)

©2020 Scott William Burrows (P)2020 Scott William Burrows

Edge of your Seat Suspense

Cherry Laurel by Scott William Burrows is an interesting mix of what could have been and what was. As a man with places to go, Nickie Roritor had it all – as a football player, his life changed in mere minutes! Now, he’s a man with nothing and his career is that of a factory worker. He now drinks to forget what might have been. That is until he met Lisa – now his life has changed but not necessarily for the good!
Scott William Burrows, the author, diligently builds each character making them relatable and giving them depth. The storyline – what might have been and what comes to pass is powerful and a bit unsettling. Nickie is on a mission, one that will not end well for someone (no spoilers here). Burrows maintains the suspense and delivers an excellent noir-like fiction book. The tone of this book clearly communicates the feeling of loss, redemption, and a range of other emotions. He knows the value of keeping the listener on the edge of their chair!
I normally do not comment on the cover but in this case, I have to say it is fitting - the black and white, the empty space, the clouds, everything in this cover speaks to the book in one way or another!
The narrator, Marc Ginsburg gives an excellent performance. He speaks clearly and with distinct voices. He has a solid cadence to his speech delivering a solid performance.
There were no issues with the quality or production of this audiobook, it was well done.
Disclaimer: This Audiobook was provided free of charge by the author, narrator, and/or publisher in exchange for a non-bias, honest review.