I love the performance of this audiobook. The story, though, was over the top for me. It was a creepy tale but a little too much on graphic, gritty, violence and sex for my taste. I don’t mind stories that are graphic, as long as I feel it is necessary to the story. I listened to the whole story, though, because I loved the performance. If you don’t mind graphic and gritty, this may be your story. I would tell you to listen to it for the performance. It is more like listening to radio drama over an audiobook. Listen to the sample and remember it does have scenes that could trigger sensitive listeners. ( )

Creepy, dark, gross, salacious. Men getting their comeuppance for the foul things they do to women. Is the deliverer of justice real or a myth that’s become real? The daughter of a Scottish banker presumably killed by the Darkwater bride goes to London to investigate and discovers its underbelly and more. A darned good tale, as haunted as they come. Maybe not the best easter read! Save for Halloween. It’ll be perfect. ( )

Another great listen from Audible. I wasn't expecting such an intriguing story, full of plot twists and mystery, murder and the paranormal. Love all the sound effects and the actors did a fantastic job of transporting me back to London a century ago. Highly Recommended. ( )

A Genre Too Far?
Review of the Audible Studios original drama (Sept 2018) made available as one of the free audiobooks for members in April 2019.

"The Darkwater Bride" (2018) is a 6 & 3/4 hour extended audio dramatization by Scottish actor/writer Marty Ross which is based on his original one-man staging of the same general plot in "The Blackwater Bride" (2014). A link to information about the original staging is available at https://martyrossstoryteller.blogspot.com/2014/02/programme-note-for-blackwater-...

The new production changes the main setting from Glasgow to London and extends what must have been a more simplified Victorian era gothic mystery (assuming a 1-1&1/2 hour live performance staging) into realms of gore, noir, supernatural horror and revenge. Admittedly that is my own speculation but a several hour increased performance time obviously must include expanded plots, subplots and characters.

Some people will be open to the expanded genre-crossing but I suspect that many who enjoy one style such as gothic mystery will be less inclined to be patient with sexual brutality and horror, and are even likely to be repulsed by the latter. Such was my experience in any case.

The performance by the extended cast and the actual audio production quality of this was excellent though. I'd even go so far as to say it was the best audio production that I have heard in a dramatization. The foley effects and environmental ambience (i.e. sounds of water, cellars, tunnels etc.) were extraordinarily atmospheric. Those production values would earn a 4-5 rating, but the distasteful elements of the plot take it down a few notches. ( )