In Concert

By: Steve Rasnic Tem, Melanie Tem

Narrated by: Abby Elvidge

In Concert collects the collaborative short fiction of Melanie Tem and Steve Rasnic Tem, who have worked at the cutting edge of imaginative fiction for over a quarter century. In the twenty-one tales herein, the reader will find fear, joy, and mystery. In Concert showcases the wide range of their collaborative work. The title story tells of a lonely elderly woman who achieves rapport with a lost astronaut through the power of music.

In "The Icy Region My Heart Encircles," an aging Mary Shelley, creator of Frankenstein, keeps the heart of her late husband on the mantel and is haunted by her dead children and the living incarnation of her Monster. And in "The Man on the Ceiling," the authors take turns telling of the fears and darkness common to all families, while reminding the reader that "everything I tell you is true." The publication of In Concert is an event well worth celebrating.

©2011 Steve Rasnic Tem and Melanie Tem (P)2013 David Wilson

Superbly narrated

Abby Elvidge gets it just right across a wide array of original and innovative writing! She has a wonderful style that sucks you right in.

Stirring And Mesmerizing

What made the experience of listening to In Concert the most enjoyable?

Many of these stories present a bizarrely mesmerizing combination of mundane normalcy underlain by riveting and fantastically horrific realities. I needed to listen and keep listening, to ponder, to try to understand. Sometimes I was surprised by my own feelings about the stories.

What was one of the most memorable moments of In Concert?

There are many. One that comes to mind is my own moral quandary at the transformation of Jake's parents in "More Than Should Be Asked." Is there a context when killing a child is a desirable outcome? Troubling thought.

What does Abby Elvidge bring to the story that you wouldn’t experience if you just read the book?

Abby Elvidge's fluid and nuanced performances pull me into the weird worlds of these stories. I'm impressed with how she conveys strange realities and characterological subtelties and emotions without "getting in the way," or making the performance about her. Character voicing is excellent also. Her storytelling has a comfortable flow that sweeps you into these vivid fantastical realities.

If you could rename In Concert, what would you call it?

Is that Door Locked?

Terrific reading of fascinating stories

I would listen to Abby Elvidge read the phone book. She has one of the most incredible voices I have ever heard- pliable, playful, capturing her obvious intelligence in the line readings.

Her the match of that voice with fascinating, dark, sometimes sexy stories is perfect. I highly recommend it.

Entertaining, a lot of fun

What did you love best about In Concert?

The variety of stories makes this an interesting listen.

What was one of the most memorable moments of In Concert?

The story titles "The Icy Region My Heart Encircles," which is about an Mary Shelley, the creator of Frankenstein. I love it when an author takes character's from other works of fiction and extends their lives and plays with that character creating something new.

What three words best describe Abby Elvidge’s voice?

Abby has variety however she can be a bit slow at times.