The Conductors

Former Underground Railroad conductor Hetty Rhodes now channels her magical abilities and investigative instincts toward solving murders in post-Civil War Philadelphia. When she and her husband Benjy discover a friend's body in an alley, they take justice into their own hands rather than trust the indifferent white authorities. Their pursuit of the killer leads them deep into the complex social hierarchies and hidden secrets of Black Philadelphia's elite, where nothing is as it appears and everyone harbors dangerous truths.

Bahni Turpin delivers a masterful performance that brings Nicole Glover's richly imagined world to vivid life. Her nuanced character work captures the distinct voices of Philadelphia's diverse residents while maintaining the story's atmospheric tension throughout its fourteen-hour runtime. Turpin's pacing expertly balances the mystery's investigative elements with its magical realism and historical detail, allowing listeners to fully absorb both the period setting and supernatural elements. Her warm, authoritative narration particularly shines during the novel's emotional moments, making this debut fantasy mystery an engrossing audio experience that honors both its historical roots and fantastical imagination.