The Last House on Needless Street

A young girl has been missing since a fateful day at a local lake. The lives of her family and the people suspected of the crime continue to shatter little by little. A man living in a boarded-up house on Needless Street, a still-grieving sister, and even a wondrously intelligent cat strive to untangle the truth of what happened that day and the years before and since the tragic event. Told from several points of view, this story of regret, self-loathing, and abuse slowly unfolds to reveal the veracity and breadth of the horror that has taken place. Listeners may be surprised, enthused, or even confused by the seemingly quirky addition of a feline protagonist, but they will be rewarded for their patience as details are divulged. Ward (The Girl from Rawblood) delves into the brain’s brilliance and psychological effects of nature and nurture, pulling listeners into the complicated worlds of those left to reassemble pieces of themselves in the wake of cruelty and neglect. Christopher Ragland provides a masterful narration, moving deftly from one voice into another. He uses subtle changes in inflection and timbre to build tension and hint at future enlightenment.