Lute

By: Jennifer Thorne

Narrated by: Victoria Blunt

Wicker Man meets Final Destination in Jennifer Thorne's atmospheric, unsettling folk horror novel about love, duty, and community.

On the idyllic island of Lute, every seventh summer, seven people die. No more, no less.

Lute and its inhabitants are blessed, year after year, with good weather, good health, and good fortune. They live a happy, superior life, untouched by the war that rages all around them. So it’s only fair that every seven years, on the day of the tithe, the island’s gift is honored.

Nina Treadway is new to The Day. A Florida girl by birth, she became a Lady through her marriage to Lord Treadway, whose family has long protected the island. Nina’s heard about The Day, of course. Heard about the horrific tragedies, the lives lost, but she doesn’t believe in it. It's all superstitious nonsense. Stories told to keep newcomers at bay and youngsters in line.

Then The Day begins. And it's a day of nightmares, of grief, of reckoning. But it is also a day of community. Of survival and strength. Of love, at its most pure and untamed. When The Day ends, Nina—and Lute—will never be the same.

A Macmillan Audio production from Tor Nightfire.

©2022 Jennifer Thorne (P)2022 Macmillan Audio

Critic reviews

"Lute is an understated masterpiece of folk horror by Jennifer Thorne, an exceptionally talented new voice in the genre....Thorne’s prose is elegant in its simplicity, embracing a quiet minimalism that only enhances its sense of horror. Lute is a stunning achievement for an author new to the genre. This is the type of novel that will haunt you for years to come."—John Mauro, Grimdark Magazine

"Equally horrifying as it is beautiful, Lute will slip under your skin, haunting you until you've turned the very last page. Folk horror at its finest."—Kim Liggett, New York Times bestselling author of The Grace Year

"Lute is as alluring as it is terrifying. Thorne’s prose is exquisite, her storytelling masterful, the setting a haunting character in itself. I wanted to savor every passage, but I was desperate to see who the island would claim next. I devoured this book.”—Elle Cosimano, author of Finlay Donovan Knocks 'Em Dead

Lute

The island is a paradise. Not tropical but perfect all the same. The people of the island love the land and everything it offers them. But every seven years it comes at a price. Some most are willing to pay. Others not so much.

I really enjoyed this book. I felt for the characters that died, felt at peace with acceptance and rational philosophy of the main character Nina and marveled at how someone’s fear of death could turn them into a monster. Someone you don’t even recognize.

Worth a credit

The book is mildly entertaining, but I would hardly call it horror. Never once did I experience fear, although the townspeople were scared, their terror did not translate to me as I listened. .

Definitely a good listen

Very engaged, the ending I really actually liked. Felt right. I’m not sure if I would listen again. Felt like a good one and done but I would recommend

Slow to unwind- but what a finish!

A new author- could have had her editor tighten up the story- BUT- her language use if beautiful-and a smashing end!

awesome!

one of the best, most engaging stories I've read. wonderfully written from an authentic perspective. I even bought the hard cover and I never do that.

Good slow burn mystery

It's an interesting storyline with dashes of insightful thoughts on life and its duration and some fun, vague mythology thrown in. There is some gore and some spice, but overall, it's solid.

I wanted to like it

I really wanted to like this book. I like the idea of it, but the main character was incredibly shallow, annoying and unlikeable. I had to force myself to finish it

This is woman's literature not a horror novel

This book was just so dull. I was excited for a creepy, dark story about a remote island and the mysterious ritual that happens every seven years. Instead I had to follow along for a character deep dive on a protagonist I didn't really find all that interesting. Honestly this read FAR more like woman's lit than it ever did a horror novel. Now that I think more on it, It was absolutely woman's literature with a small sprinkling of dark fantasy. More like a dash.


Honestly I hated this. 2 stars because I think it was written well and I think it could be enjoyed by an audience looking for this. But I am not that target audience and I feel very deceived by the description.

I did like the narrator fine though. She has a very pleasant voice to listen to.

Trash

Elderly & disabled people's lives are not worthless- this shitty, amateurish book definitely is tho.

Mediocre but the narration was terrible.

It’s a mediocre story full of plot holes and out-of-nowhere character choices. The narrator is awful, mispronouncing a number of words.