1934. Businesses went under by the hundreds, debt and foreclosures boomed, and breadlines grew in many American cities.

In the midst of this misery, some folks explored unscrupulous ways to make money. Angel-faced John Partlow and carnival huckster Ginger LaFrance are among the worst of this lot. Joining together they leave their small time confidence scams behind to attempt an elaborate kidnapping-for-ransom scheme in New Orleans.

In a different part of town, Curtis Mayhew, a young black man who works as a redcap for the Union Railroad Station, has a reputation for mending quarrels and misunderstandings among his friends. What those friends don't know is that Curtis has a special talent for listening... and he can sometimes hear things that aren't spoken aloud.

One day, Curtis Mayhew's special talent allows him to overhear a child's cry for help (THIS MAN IN THE CAR HE'S GOT A GUN), which draws him into the dangerous world of Partlow and LaFrance.

This gritty depression-era crime thriller is a complex tale enriched by powerfully observed social commentary and hints of the supernatural, and it represents Robert McCammon writing at the very top of his game.

Early reviews of The Listener have started showing up. Author Kealan Patrick Burke tweeted a couple of weeks ago, "THE LISTENER by Robert McCammon is astonishing." He'll be posting a full review soon. In the meantime, here are links to a few others. All of the reviews contain very mild spoilers, so don't read them if you don't want to know anything at all about the book.

"McCammon masterfully combines historical thriller and supernatural horror in a compelling and suspenseful tale of race, class, and family This is a violent and gritty tale, but redemption is always possible."
— Booklist (Starred Review)

"At a certain point in The Listener, you just have to hold on for dear life because this tale races to the denouement and you HAVE to know what happens. I recommend shutting yourself in a room for the last 50 pages so you can read it without being bothered. Trust me on this! You will be rewarded with an ending so poignant, yet so perfect and totally satisfying that you might find yourself with a tear in your eye."
— Chars Horror Corner

"It's not every day you come across such an intoxicating blend of literary prowess and unapologetic adventure-seeking as what Robert McCammon delivers with The Listener."
— Pete Mesling in his review Softly Comes but Firmly Stays the Listener

"For many years he has ranked amongst the finest writers of dark fiction in the world and The Listener sits comfortably with his unmatchable body of work. As this is a stand-alone novel, if you've never read McCammon before, this is as good a place to start as any."
— Tony Jones, Ginger Nuts of Horror

"McCammon (Freedom of the Mask) conjures believable characters whose sympathetic plight pulls the reader headlong into the novel's volatile mix of crime and fantasy. Its tense finale, paced at breakneck speed, will have readers turning pages until its surprise-packed end."
— Publishers Weekly