⭐⭐⭐⭐½
Cackle
By Rachel Harrison
Narrated by Laurel Lefkow
I grabbed Cackle off Libby’s “available now” audiobook feature, hoping for a book to get me through my shift. No expectations, no former knowledge of this story.
Cackle might be one of my favorite reads so far this year. It’s just… cute, engaging, mysteriously spooky, and altogether a great reading experience.
Our main character, Annie, just went through a breakup and accepted a new job in a small town outside of NYC, where she’s spent the last 15(?) years. When she gets into town, she’s immediately befriended by a stunningly beautiful woman, and she feels that the first time since the breakup, things are looking positive.
But there’s a darkness hidden in the town’s shadows, and in the life of her new friend Sophie, and it’s up to Annie to uncover it.
This is a wonderfully quaint story of self acceptance, female rage, and coming into your power. Also, it features a pet spider named Ralph who immediately stole my heart.
With a strong spider presence, this book is not for the arachnophobic, but its spookiness is more lighthearted (think The Addams Family meets The Good Witch) and its themes are self confidence, healing, and friendship.
I wholeheartedly recommend this book.
⭐⭐⭐⭐½
The Midnight Review 