Fiend

Katsu (The Fervor) reveals the dark secret behind the success of a powerful Manhattan family in this haunting tale. The Albanian American Berishas, led by patriarch Zef, run an import-export company that "rivals Koch Industries and Cargill, dwarfs Nucor and Daifuku." Zef's children were always told that their family's success was granted by a "protector," a force that has "cowed rivals for centuries." Only the heir-designate, Dardan, believes that he has actually seen this force: as a child, he witnessed waves of black smoke emerge from his father's body during an argument. This terrifying vision has led him to believe that the protector is not a blessing but a curse. AFter former Berisha lobbyist Jack Hargrove prepares to blow the whistle on the family, claiming to have evidence of bribes to Congress, the problem is averted when Hargrove dies alone in a locked room before he can testify. Dardan suspects the protector was responsible and investigates; meanwhile, his sisters scheme to advance their own interests in a clan where women are viewed as mere vessels to carry on the family line. Katsu's exploration of the bloody price of privilege keeps the pages turning. It's a supernaturally charged Succession that will have readers hooked. (Sept.)

Katsu, who is known for historical horror like The Fervor, now offers a contemporary supernatural tale. The Berishas are more than just a family; patriarch Zef runs a business empire, oversees his three children, and manages a supernatural force that causes enemies to fall victim to seemingly random accidents. Eldest child Darden, the only son, is poised to inherit the empire despite his reservations, while middle child Maris, who's jealous of Darden's position, resents her father's low expectations. Youngest child Nora appears uninterested in the family business. One of these three will take control of the Berisha empire and its "protector." Katsu taps into modern horror themes, blending HBO's Succession with W. W. Jacobs's short story "The Monkey's Paw." Still, the supernatural takes a backseat to the fragile family dynamics, skillfully voiced by Kreinik, who captures Zef's gruff, authoritarian growl and Maris's clipped yet hollow commands as she attempts to imitate her father. VERDICT This fable of corrupting power, with its portrayal of ruthless business practices and unchecked hedonism, will appeal to listeners seeking a dysfunctional family drama in which the slogan "eat the rich" has chilling import.--James Gardner