The Last Sin Eater

When 10-year-old Cadi Forbes's grandmother dies, she is inconsolable. Her grandmother loved her unconditionally in spite of a family tragedy for which Cadi blames herself and believes her family holds her responsible. Narrator Anita Lustrea captures Cadi's grief and guilt with subtle pathos and deftly portrays Cadi's search for someone to ease her suffering. Lustrea offers a a powerful characterization of the Sin Eater, a legendary figure in Cadi's Smoky Mountain community. When Cadi learns the Sin Eater is a seeker as well, Lustrea matches voice to mood to depict the moment they each face themselves and find redemption. This is an audiobook with a message of grace. G.D.W. (c) AudioFile 2008, Portland, Maine

In the Smoky Mountains of the 1850s 10-year-old Cadi Forbes is desperately seeking forgiveness for the death of her younger sister. Overcome by guilt and fear, she embarks on a quest to find the "Sin Eater," a mountain hermit who is believed to absolve people of their sins at death. What Cadi finds is far more than she imagined. Narrator Kate Forbes matches voice to character superbly, lending her imagination to the listener. She creates a believable Cadi, especially her feelings of hopelessness, as well as the characters of an elderly grandmother, a cruel community leader, and a host of others. Well-written and well-spoken, this is an intriguing and inspiring story. N.L. (c) AudioFile 2008, Portland, Maine