Scrap

When her fiancé unexpectedly dumps her, scrapbook artist and true crime fan Esther finds her world upended. Then, while at a gallery opening for an old college friend, Esther is approached by a wealthy patron who asks her to gather documents and photos to chronicle her family history. As Esther sifts through a staggering number of seemingly meaningless papers, she begins to suspect a nefarious element at work within the family. Money and non-disclosure agreements shroud the family in secrecy, while financial crimes and disappearances of family members cause Esther to further question what she believes to be true. Although she keeps pushing to find answers, her progress is stymied by the family and friends of the family who are dedicated to keeping their secrets at all costs. Themes of good and evil abound, and listeners may find themselves questioning every character’s motives. Narrator Amelia Sciandra offers a serviceable performance, communicating Esther’s dogged determination and character. Even so, her voice occasionally falls flat, taking the steam out of this intricately plotted tale.