The Levee

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Available only in audio!

An audio original novella from the bestselling author of Ordinary Grace and This Tender Land, The Levee is a powerful, captivating story of a family, a storm, a complicated rescue, and the true cost of survival.

It’s 1927, and the most devastating flood in American history has swelled the Mississippi River to a width of eighty miles. In an attempt to save a family trapped by the rising water, four men in a tiny rowboat battle the treacherous flow: three are convicts, on loan from the local prison and pressed into service; the fourth, the leader of the team, is driven by his own hidden motives. But to their surprise upon arrival at Ballymore, an ancestral home protected by a high, circular levee, not everyone in the family feels the need to be saved. Pride, greed, loyalty, and even love create their own complex currents behind the massive wall. As the threat from the flood increases and time ticks away, the crew and the family must decide on a course of action, and a desperate plan is hatched to save the weakening levee and all it was built to protect.

The Levee is a propulsive, heartfelt tale of courage, cowardice, and sacrifice in a historic moment when the indomitable human spirit is pitted against the awesome and destructive power of nature.

PRAISE

“The Great Mississippi Flood of 1927 engulfed tens of thousands of square miles, across ten states, with up to 30 feet of water… As the waters rise, the levee weakens, and the tension increases, Jackson’s soothing, rhythmic narration is lulling. This allows for panicked dialogue to rise up and grip the listener like a cresting wave. His voice creates a cocoon around the listener like the levee itself, which seems protective but could ultimately mask great danger.��
—Booklist

“Golden Voice narrator JD Jackson acts out Krueger’s dramatic audio-original novella… Jackson’s deep, gravelly voice pervades the performance, shifting subtly to reflect the stiff-necked women and the strong-backed, sometimes bellicose, men. The raging river’s inexorable attacks are reflected in Jackson’s cadence as he adds emotional energy to the exhausting fight between men and the mighty Mississippi.”
—Audiofile Earphones Award Winner

“Will the levee hold? Or will greed, pride, and hubris engulf the characters of The Levee like the historic flood waters of the Mississippi River threatening the inhabitants of Ballymore? William Kent Krueger’s masterful tale of suspense about courage, family, secrets, and the power of nature is a must-listen!”
—Marie Benedict, New York Times bestselling author

“As a native Mississippian, The Levee rang very true to me. The voices were all speaking in a moment my father remembered. Thank you, William Kent Krueger, for taking me back to a time that was part of my own prehistory. I’m really glad I had that experience. As usual, the writing was brilliant.”
—Charlaine Harris, New York Times bestselling author

“William Kent Krueger is our generation’s Steinbeck. He is in touch with the American soul and writes with understanding and compassion for the human condition. Krueger is at his best when his characters confront the challenges of nature. In The Levee, he spins a thrilling tale of courage and cowardice, heroism and villainy, set against the raging waters of the Mississippi River. J.D. Jackson’s slightly gritty voice was perfect for the audiobook. I loved it.”
—Mary Alice Monroe, New York Times bestselling author

“A masterwork, riveting and unputdownable with richly drawn characters set against the unforgiving backdrop of a raging river and the wrath of nature. Full of heart and a spellbinding plot, Krueger packs a powerful punch in this audio novella, delivering grand scale storytelling at its finest.”
—Kim Michele Richardson, New York Times bestselling author of The Book Woman’s Daughter

“A masterful mythic-scale story of heroism, love, evil, and folly clashing in the midst of a great flood.”
—Thomas Perry, author of the Jane Whitefield series

“I listened to an early copy of @WmKentKrueger ‘s audio original novella, and…sigh. It’s got it all: adventure, compassion, sacrifice. Everything I’ve come to love and expect from Kent’s stories. Bonus: JD Jackson is a brilliant narrator.”
—Jess Lourey, award-winning author of Unspeakable Things

“I’m a big fan of Krueger’s standalone novels and thought getting this little novella in the gap between his larger works was a fun little treat! He wrote this audio original during the pandemic. Krueger himself professes fondness for “a good old-fashioned story offered in the voice of a fine reader,” so it’s no surprise his work is exceptional in the audio format—especially when voiced by J.D. Jackson! This short tale is set in 1927 during the most destructive river flood in United States history, when the Mississippi swelled to the unfathomable width of eighty miles. A band of four men, each for their own reasons, sets out on a risky mission to save a family trapped in their ancestral estate by the flood waters, only to find not everyone wants saving. Adventure, suspense, avarice, engineering: Krueger packs a lot of action into just under four hours.”
—Modern Mrs. Darcy with Anne Bogel