“Just wow! The audiobook industry will never be the same.”
—Dan Musselman, Director of Studio Production, Penguin Random House Audio (retired)
The Book
By the time playwright and actor Shawn Frost had won 2 Tony Awards by his late twenties, he was seen as a theater prodigy—a meteoric rise that the performing arts community had not witnessed in almost a hundred years. His work? Shakespearean in scope, character, and popularity—boundless and beautiful. His own character? Flawed.
And in a place like New York City, where failings get magnified, Shawn Frost finds that, even from the heights of artistic sublimity, no one is insulated from the demons that have caused the best of entertainers to fall from grace.
After surviving an accident that almost costs him his life, Shawn leaves NYC and the theater for the quiet, picturesque Pacific cliffs of Carmel-by-the-Sea and starts a new life as an audiobook narrator. As he rises through the ranks, narrating bestseller after bestseller, Shawn Frost once again flirts with artistic immortality.
But. As his limitless skills emerge in the exploding arena of voice arts, so do his flaws.
Then, he experiences every audiobook narrator’s worst fear: He is kidnapped by two obsessed fans, determined to make Shawn perform their novel . . .
Or was he?
Don’t miss this one-of-a-kind psychological thriller from #1 Bestselling Author Landon Beach.
“Very rarely do I read a book so unique and gripping it makes me wish I had thought of it! Narrator is that book—a psychological thriller in which author Landon Beach crafts his love letter to storytellers in a novel so compelling you will be thinking about it, gifting it, and discussing it for years to come. In both its written and audio formats, Narrator is a masterpiece.”
—Jack Carr, former Navy SEAL Sniper and the #1 New York Times bestselling author of the James Reece Terminal List series
"In my career, having reviewed over 1,200 novels, I can honestly say . . . I have never read anything quite like this. Think Misery meets Gone Girl. Landon Beach delivers a special, unforgettable, jaw-dropping reading experience that readers won't soon forget. Narrator is a masterpiece."
—The Real Book Spy
“Narrator is a first-class thriller that proves that Landon Beach is one of this generation's great authors. It is a book not to miss.”
—Michael Bradley, award-winning author of Dead Air
"Landon Beach's Narrator is an engaging and remarkably accurate dive into the life of a professional voice actor, while delivering twists and turns that will leave you on the edge of your seat. Compelling from start to finish. You won't be able to put it down!"
—J. Michael Collins, award-winning voice actor, coach, demo producer, and scriptwriter
"Electric. Powerful. Original. Reads like a movie, exploding towards a breathless climax that readers won't ever forget."
—Chris Hauty, national bestselling author of Deep State, Savage Road, and Storm Rising
"Narrator is an intellectual labyrinth that Landon Beach navigates with evocative prose and twist after compelling twist. Imagine Stephen King's Misery rendered by M.C. Escher. Plan on reading this one straight through to the dazzling end."
—Bryan Gruley, Edgar-nominated author of the Starvation Lake trilogy
"Narrator has everything: a peek behind the curtain (in this instance, into the commingled world of publishing and audiobooks), characters who are compelling and provoking (sometimes both at once), and a twisting, turning plot that will keep you guessing—and then second-guessing. Dynamic and audacious, Narrator is a triumph."
—Christopher Rosow, #1 Wall Street Journal, Apple Books, and Amazon bestselling author of the Ben Porter series
"Landon Beach created a one-of-a-kind, twisting, gut-wrenching tale that kept me guessing until the very end. Expertly crafted, and a unique, highly recommended read!"
—Mike Houtz, author of award-winning DARK SPIRAL DOWN and co-host of The CREW Reviews
"With Narrator, Landon Beach has fashioned a singularly spectacular tale. At once harrowing and hypnotic, with a complex protagonist in Shawn Frost who defies genre conventions, and a duo of genuinely terrifying villains, Narrator is a descent into obsession and madness that will leave you exhilarated and disturbed in equal measure. This one will stick with you long after the final page."
—Sean Cameron, co-host of The CREW Reviews
"With a meticulously researched and engrossing plot that twists and turns and deepens with the flip of each page, Narrator is as ambitious as it is enjoyable. Thriller fans who have not yet discovered Landon Beach are in for an exhilarating ride. Be warned, you're going to lose sleep."
—C. E. Albanese, award-winning author of DRONE KINGS and co-host of The CREW Reviews
"With its sharply written dialogue and inner introspection, perfectly placed pop-cultural references, and twists that are guaranteed to blindside you, Narrator is wonderfully inventive and will keep you guessing until the end. As a veteran-narrator-turned-thriller-writer, I found this book spoke to me on many levels. The fine detail of an audiobook narrator's process is spot-on; not surprising, given that Beach's narrator is one of the best in the biz. Highly recommend you pick up this book...or even better, the audiobook."
—Nick Sullivan, veteran audiobook narrator and author of The Deep Series
"Instant immersion and nonstop thrills won't let you put Narrator down or press pause. Landon Beach takes us into the mind of the titular talent, offering clever and well-researched glimpses inside both the booth and industry. And the audiobook—read by Scott Brick, the quintessential synonym for the title—makes for a mellifluously meta must-listen."
—P.J. Ochlan, acclaimed actor, Audie Award-winning narrator, and producer
"Landon Beach's Narrator is gripping, breath-taking, compulsive reading. His plot and characterizations are spot on. He captures the life of a narrator perfectly. I planned to read for an hour, and I didn't put it down until I'd finished the entire book. I've read more thrillers than is healthy, but I've never read anything like this. I now have to read every one of Landon Beach's books. This thriller delivers in spades!"
—Daniela Acitelli, actress, professional audiobook narrator, and host of The Narrator's Cup of Joe
"What a meta ride Narrator is! A twisty, turny, tense look at a job I've always considered (aside from fatigued vocal cords every now and then) rather benign. Beach has me rethinking my booth security... My only complaint is that the protagonist isn't female because I want to narrate this book!"
—Hillary Huber, award-winning audiobook narrator
"In this 'artist comeback story turned Hitchcock thriller,' award-winning actor/audiobook narrator Shawn Frost gets pulled into the nightmarish world of overzealous fans, recurring personal demons and the challenge of separating literal fact from nefarious fiction. The book alone is fantastic, but with Scott Brick's seductive narration, you're guaranteed to be kept hanging on his every word."
—Sean Pratt, actor, award-winning audiobook narrator, and coach
"A twisty, psychological thriller. Kept me guessing to the very last page."
—Robert Dugoni, New York Times Bestselling Author of the Tracy Crosswhite Series
"Thrills on the page suddenly become life and death in Narrator. Shawn Frost goes from telling stories behind the mic to living a story he can only hope won't be his last. Author Landon Beach has taken a deep dive into the world of the people who bring your audiobooks to life in this twisty adventure you won't be able to put down."
—Christina Rooney, Grammy-nominated audiobook director
"Landon Beach's Narrator will make your hair stand on end and give you goose bumps. This entire thriller is a viscerally wild rollercoaster ride—complete with mind-blowing twists you won't see coming. And Narrator's conclusion will leave you breathless. Beach's insight into narrating is so accurate and realistic I felt like Shawn Frost must be someone I know. This is a narrator's life...right up until the murder and mayhem, anyway."
—Suzanne Elise Freeman, actor and award-winning audiobook narrator
"What a thrill ride. Who would have thought reading a book about a guy reading a book would be such a psychological roller coaster ride!"
—Kevin Allen, WKJC FM 104.7
“Just wow! The audiobook industry will never be the same. Beach has created an intense, immersive thread that you will not be able to put down. It's a doozy of a thriller that will leave you gasping for air.”
—Dan Musselman, Director of Studio Production, Penguin Random House Audio (retired)
"Voice acting becomes life & death in Landon Beach’s Narrator, and I’m hanging on every word of this twisted thriller! Raw, real, and psychotically brilliant—I couldn’t put it down. I’ll never feel safe in my recording booth again…"
—Anne Ganguzza, Award-winning Voice Actor, Director, and Producer
"Every voice actor is going to re-think their job (and job security) after reading Narrator! Landon Beach strikes visceral chords and pulls the wires tight on this thriller!"
—Mary Lynn Wissner, Award-winning Casting Director and founder of Voices Voicecasting
“A fantastic and fun look into what we narrators do for a living! And I’m putting a lock on my recording booth door…”
—Ray Porter, actor and award-winning audiobook narrator
“Landon Beach has written a unique thriller. It also has drama, tragedy, and redemption. I recommend this book to everyone. Truly wonderful.”
—David Dobiasek, “The Voice” of Best Thriller Books
“Finally, a narrator gets what he deserves. Scott Brick delivers a flawless performance. Twisty and relentless—this is Misery in stereo. Loved it!”
—J.D. Barker, New York Times Bestselling author of A Caller’s Game
“Beach has provided audiophiles with a tribute to narrators wrapped in psychological suspense—all delivered with intensity by Scott Brick. The result is a special invitation for listeners to step into the recording booth.”
—AudioFile Magazine
"I don't usually do ‘Top X books of the year’ anymore, but this would DEFINITELY make my 2022 list. 5 out of 5 stars. I mean, as an audiobook lover, this is just perfect for me. Normally, I don’t specifically tell someone to listen to the audiobook. Still, in some rare cases, I have to implore people to get the audiobook over the physical or Kindle editions. Narrator is one of those cases. First off, just using Scott Brick, one of the best in the business, we’re already off to a good start. But then, the performance he gives in a story where it’s ALL about the narrator(s) just sets this one apart. This book will be one of the books I recommend to everyone who asks, ‘What audiobooks should I check out?’ It has everything that I want in a book and more. I can’t explain how this book left me feeling. I said it left me reeling in my title, and that’s the closest word I can think of.”
—Brian's Book Blog
"A true labor of love. A love song to audiobook narration, acting, actors, authors, thrillers, noir, media and literature. Reverent and referential, an insightful inside look at the audiobook industry, loosely-but-lovingly inspired by actual industry practices, events and celebrity narrators. If you love listening to audiobooks, are a fledgling or experienced narrator yourself, or you just love Scott Brick, there's plenty of nuggets and easter eggs here for you to enjoy. It made me remember how much I loved audiobooks."
—Sean Daeley, actor and educator
“As an avid reader of thrillers and a professional voice-actor, Narrator hit all the right buttons for me. Landon Beach has crafted a clever mystery loaded with twists and turns, complete with well-drawn characters you'll care about. Love a hero in whom I can truly identify!”
—Jordan Rich, On Mic with Jordan Rich Podcast, WBZ iHeart Radio
The Real Book Spy reviews Narrator
"You’ve never read a book like this. Ever. Landon Beach, best known for his Great Lakes Saga, steps way outside the box for this wild, heart-pounding adventure of psychological suspense. What makes this story so brilliant, is also what complicates writing the review. The least you know going into this one, the better. Trust me on that. Without giving anything away, Beach’s straightforward setup quickly turns into anything but, launching into a vertigo-inducing story that packs nonstop twists and turns, and will soon have Shawn—and readers—questioning everything. And there lies the key to Narrator’s greatness. Its sheer unpredictability and constant misdirection will not only keep readers on their toes, but thoroughly engrossed as they race helplessly towards a shocking conclusion that’s unlike anything else in print today. In my career, having reviewed over 1,200 novels, I can honestly say . . . I have never read anything quite like this. Think Misery meets Gone Girl. Landon Beach delivers a special, unforgettable, jaw-dropping reading experience that readers won’t soon forget. Narrator is a masterpiece."
CLICK HERE to read the entire review.
Narrator was listed as one of the 15 Best Mysteries, Crime, & Thrillers of Psychological Suspense in 2022 by The Real Book Spy.
Why The Real Book Spy said you should read Narrator: I’ve never covered a book like this. I’ve never read a book like this. Until now. Landon Beach combines a Misery-like story with a Gone Girl-like unreliable narrator, and the end result is nothing short of brilliant. Every time you think you know what’s really going on, Beach throws in another twist. Another turn. And all the misdirection leaves you unable to tell up from down until he reveals his shocking ending that readers won’t soon forget. If you haven’t read this one yet, trust me, you don’t want to miss it!
The Real Book Spy interviews Landon Beach about Narrator
Here is some of what The Real Book Spy had to say about Narrator:
"As a critic, one of the best feelings in the world is when I find a book that absolutely blows me away. Even better, though, is when I get to tell you all, diehard readers and fans of the thriller genre, about it. Then, finally, that book comes out, and one by one, I watch on social media as readers go through that same reading experience that I did, and their reactions are always priceless.
Well, most recently, the book that took me on such an adventure was Landon Beach’s Narrator, a riveting first-person, present-tense story that follows famed audiobook narrator Shawn Frost, who while battling some personal demons, finds himself living in hell on earth after he’s captured and forced to perform the narration of an audiobook his captors wrote for him.
Indeed, Narrator does produce an unforgettable, unputdownable reading experience unlike anything else on bookstore shelves right now. So if you’re looking for a great book to sink your teeth into, run and don’t walk to get your copy of Landon Beach’s phenomenal new novel today."
The Audiobook
Read by Scott Brick
Scott has recorded over 1,000 audiobooks and has been inducted into the Narrator Hall of Fame.
For more information about Scott, visit: scottbrick.net.
2023 Audie Awards
For his performance of Narrator, Scott Brick was named a Best Male Narrator FINALIST for the 2023 Audie Awards.
Here is a preview of Scott reading Narrator.
2023 Audie Awards
I had a wonderful time attending the 2023 Audie Awards at Pier Sixty in New York City on Tuesday, March 28th. I was also a presenter, and it was an honor to be paired with actor and narrator Hope Newhouse. Here are some pictures from the event as well as the entire recorded program—Hope and I present at the 40:27 mark. Seeing my friend and the narrator of my novels, Scott Brick, in person was a career and personal highlight.
Narrator was a special project that took twenty years from start to finish. But, in all that time, there was one person I had in mind to perform it—one person who could bring the story to life. And he did. I am thrilled that Scott was nominated for the Best Male Narrator Audie Award; he gave the performance of a lifetime.
Narrator was featured on AudioFile Magazine's podcast Behind the Mic.
Host Jo Reed and AudioFile’s Michele Cobb discuss the Narrator audiobook. I am honored to have been featured, and Narrator was Michele's pick of the week!
CLICK HERE to listen to the podcast.
AudioFile Magazine reviews the audiobook of Narrator
Here is a preview:
"Beach has provided audiophiles with a tribute to narrators wrapped in psychological suspense—all delivered with intensity by Scott Brick. The result is a special invitation for listeners to step into the recording booth.
AudioFile Magazine
Narrator was featured in AudioFile Magazine's article, "4 Great Audiobooks that Put Narrators Front and Center"
Findaway Voices 2023 Audie Awards Blog
As a 2023 Audie Award Finalist, Narrator was featured on Findaway Voices.
CLICK HERE to view the blog post.
WBZ Book Club
It was an honor to have Narrator named as a WBZ NewsRadio 1030 - Boston's News Radio - Book Club selection.
CLICK HERE to listen to the announcement.
Brian's Book Blog reviews the audiobook of Narrator
Here is part of what he had to say:
"Normally, I don’t specifically tell someone to listen to the audiobook. Still, in some rare cases, I have to implore people to get the audiobook over the physical or Kindle editions. Narrator is one of those cases. First off, just using Scott Brick, one of the best in the business, we’re already off to a good start. But then, the performance he gives in a story where it’s ALL about the narrator(s) just sets this one apart.
This one, being a psychological thriller – was an absolute mind-mess of a book. Beach had me looking in every dark corner. Visiting and revisiting the different thoughts I’d already had. At one point, while listening on my drive home from a funeral, I literally spoke out loud to the book when there was a slight reveal. I NEVER do that, and Beach had me so sucked in that I turned into someone who yells at their book in the car.
This book will be one of the books I recommend to everyone who asks, 'What audiobooks should I check out?' It has everything that I want in a book and more. I can’t explain how this book left me feeling. I said it left me reeling in my title, and that’s the closest word I can think of. Every time I checked how far in the book I was, there were still hours and hours left. I felt like it could have ended numerous times. That’s how good the different 'Oh, THIS is the person that did it' moments were. I just kept thinking, 'How much more can Beach cover?' – well, the answer was A LOT more."
Behind the Scenes
Danger Close Podcast
It was a thrill and an honor to join audiobook narrating legends Scott Brick and Ray Porter on #1 New York Times Bestselling Author Jack Carr's Danger Close Podcast to discuss my novel Narrator and all things audiobooks.
Here is what Jack said about Narrator:
"Very rarely do I read a book so unique and gripping it makes me wish I had thought of it! Narrator is that book—a psychological thriller in which author Landon Beach crafts his love letter to storytellers in a novel so compelling you will be thinking about it, gifting it, and discussing it for years to come. In both its written and audio formats, Narrator is a masterpiece."
—Jack Carr, former Navy SEAL Sniper and the #1 New York Times bestselling author of the James Reece Terminal List series
Narrator's Cup of Joe
Scott and I discussed the author-narrator relationship and the collaboration that took place while working on Narrator with Daniela Acitelli on her program Narrator's Cup of Joe.
Thriller Talk
Scott and I appeared on Thriller Talk and discussed the story behind the story of Narrator with K.J. Howe and Ryan Steck.
The Thriller Zone
Scott and I appeared on The Thriller Zone and discussed Narrator and my other books with David Temple.
The Crew Reviews
Scott and I discussed Narrator with the guys—Mike Houtz, Sean Cameron, and C. E. Albanese—at The Crew Reviews.
On Mic Podcast
I appeared on the On Mic Podcast and discussed Narrator with Jordan Rich.
Desideratum Podcast
I appeared on the Desideratum Podcast and discussed Narrator with Theresa Bakken.
VO BOSS Podcast
Scott and I appeared on the VO Boss Podcast and discussed Narrator with Anne Ganguzza.
CLICK HERE to listen to the podcast.
The Middle-Class VO Podcast
Scott and I appeared on The Middle-Class VO Podcast and discussed Narrator with Kevin Kilpatrick & Bobbi Maxwell.
Audiobook Lovin' Podcast
Scott and I appeared on the Audiobook Lovin' Podcast and discussed Narrator with Viviana Izzo.
The VO Meter Podcast
Scott and I appeared on The VO Meter Podcast and discussed Narrator with Paul Stefano & Sean Daeley.
CLICK HERE to listen to the podcast.
Mike Lenz VO Podcast
I appeared on the Mike Lenz VO Podcast and discussed Narrator with Mike Lenz.
The Audiobook Reader's Review Podcast
I appeared on The Audiobook Reader's Review Podcast and discussed Narrator with Sarah Bacaller.
The Audiobook Club Podcast
I appeared on The Audiobook Club Podcast and discussed Narrator with John York.
CLICK HERE to listen to the podcast.
The Voiceover Insider Podcast
I appeared on The Voiceover Insider Podcast and discussed Narrator with Julie Williams.
CLICK HERE to listen to the podcast.
Voiceover Girls Across the Pond Podcast
Scott and I appeared on the Voiceover Girls Across the Pond Podcast and discussed Narrator with Jessica Mathison.
CLICK HERE to listen to the podcast.
Talk Write Podcast
Scott and I appeared on the Talk Write Podcast and discussed the story behind the story of Narrator with Wayne Stinnett and Nick Sullivan.
CLICK HERE to listen to the podcast.
The Story Blender Podcast
Scott and I appeared on The Story Blender Podcast and discussed the story behind the story of Narrator with Steven James.
CLICK HERE to listen to the podcast.
WKJC interviews Landon Beach
I discuss Narrator with Kevin Allen at WKJC 104.7.
CLICK HERE to listen to the interview.
