Ann Dávila Cardinal, the award-winning author of THE STORYTELLER’S DEATH, returns with HEAR THE DEAD, a punk rock thriller with a supernatural twist.

Elena Altieri has spent the last 40 years cultivating a quiet, rural life. She teaches photography to college students, meets up regularly with a group of fellow Puerto Rican Vermonters --- which humorously include actor Luis Guzmán --- and attempts to bury her painful past. But Elena once boasted a different name, Lens, a nod to her once-burgeoning career as a photographer of the gritty, underground music scene of punk rock in 1980s New York City. 

Though Elena loved what she did, a bitter fight with her ex–best friend, Sin, resulted in her quitting her job. The only problem? She can’t remember why she shouldered her duffel bag and boarded a bus for Vermont 40 years ago. Sin overdosed shortly after her departure, leaving answers just out of reach.

"Those who enjoy gritty suspense novels, relatable protagonists, and books about the transformative power of art will love HEAR THE DEAD. Older readers especially will appreciate Elena’s snarky inner monologue and reflections on the passage of time..."

For decades, Elena has fought to bury any remnants of the memories of her former life. But that all changes when Eddie Carcinogen, one of the tragic, glittering icons of the punk rock scene, dies. This launches a social media storm of tributes and memorials, which resurfaces some of the best, most punk rock images of Eddie and his band. It was Elena who took all of those photos, and now she learns that an exhibition of her work is set to open at the Guggenheim. Her agreement to take part in the show sends her back to New York City. The storefronts, restaurants and figures have changed, but the memories haven’t.

Elena and Sin were products of dysfunctional, addiction-fueled homes, and their friendship, as well as their shared career goals, kept them afloat during some of the darker times in the scene. Whereas Elena dreamed of traveling the world photographing the biggest and brightest stars of the era, Sin wanted to be one herself. Her punk rock band seemed well on their way to making it, especially when Sin took up with Snake, a member of Eddie’s band. For years, Elena and Sin orbited these glamorous punk rockers, often spending nights at Eddie’s popular club, Quarantine. So how is it that their friendship disintegrated in only a night, soon followed by Sin’s overdose? Would Sin really have been so hurt by her departure that she turned to heroin? It seems unlikely.

The truth unfolds in brief vignettes from the other realm. As Elena digs out her old negatives and prints, she finds that touching specific images can launch her into supernatural visions of the past. But rather than hearing the gritty guitar solos and clinks of glasses, she hears something very different: women screaming, a man crying, the thunderous rumble of machinery…and Sin begging for mercy until her last breath. Even at the Guggenheim, a reconstructed CBGB bathroom stall invites worse visions --- until finally she is forced to reckon with the truth. 

While it was no secret that the punk rock scene could be dangerous, five separate women, each of whom were known to never use drugs, overdosed after getting close to Eddie. Elena may be the only person who can put them to rest. But for someone who cannot even remember her own memories, digging through the death rattles of five women is no small feat. She is as put off by her newfound ability as she is mesmerized by it. 

In order to get to the bottom of these apparent murders, Elena must reconnect with several figures from her past. But as she starts to experience more visions that are even darker than the last, it becomes clear that someone is on to her. With Eddie dead and the girls largely forgotten anyway, who has been keeping the scene’s secrets for 40 years?

Ann Dávila Cardinal confronts racism, sexual abuse and ageism, all while penning a deliciously compelling thriller packed with cold cases, red herrings and a veritable serial killer. Given that Elena is 66, she is able to explore and unpack these themes with the wisdom and insight of age. This lends the book a real gravity and weight that provide a terrific foundation for the book’s more fantastical elements.

Those who enjoy gritty suspense novels, relatable protagonists, and books about the transformative power of art will love HEAR THE DEAD. Older readers especially will appreciate Elena’s snarky inner monologue and reflections on the passage of time, which also makes it an excellent book club pick. Just remember to bring out your old records first! Cardinal writes about the punk rock scene with such verve and vividness that you will want to take the trip down memory lane and through the liner notes of your favorite vinyls.