Diavola

An all-expenses-paid family trip to a historic villa in the Italian countryside should be cause for excitement, but it’s not for Anna, the scapegoat of the Pace family. Her goal is to survive vacation with no drama. This proves difficult when facing her twin brother’s pretentious new boyfriend, her sister’s critiques, her mother’s questioning, and her father’s silence. Despite the interpersonal turmoil, there is something undeniably wrong with the villa—odd noises in the night, disturbing nightmares, and warnings from locals. Anna’s family is determined to do what they do best: sweep problems under the rug. Thorne (Lute) constructs an oppressive atmosphere of dysfunction and claustrophobia juxtaposed against the beautiful Italian architecture, history, and landscape. Andi Arndt’s narration places listeners in Anna’s shoes as she grapples with her toxic family and a very hostile spirit. Arndt captures Anna’s inner turmoil as she tries to protect her family, even if it costs her everything.