Recall

by J.D. Kirk, James McAvoy (Narrator)

From the multi-award winning author of Him comes another mind-bending psychological horror that speaks to the darkest recesses of the human psyche.

After suffering a brutal and random attack, Daniel Henderson is left fighting for his life. As he embarks on the long road to recovery, he begins experiencing disturbing visions. Fleeting and half-glanced, they are visions of women being murdered, women who are victims of the Tallyman, the notorious serial killer whose reign of terror began forty years ago.

As Daniel’s family start to put back together the pieces of their life, Daniel dismisses his visions as traumatic hallucinations. But as they become more vivid, he finds himself haunted by details that only the killer could know.

Tormented by memories that aren't his own, soon Daniel is driven to hunt down a killer who’s murders have loomed over his entire life. Sacrificing sanity itself, Daniel begins on a terrifying journey into madness to confront a darkness more warped and unexpected than he could ever have imagined.

Narrated by James McAvoy, and perfect for fans of Stephen King and John Marrs, JD Kirk delivers another terrifying blockbuster which shines a light on the hidden evil buried within us all.

Genres: Audiobook, Thriller, Crime, Fiction, Mystery, Suspense, Psychological Thriller

Audible Audio

Published February 26, 2026

About the author

JD Kirk is the pen name of multi-award-winning author, screenwriter, and writer of comics, Barry Hutchison.

JD Kirk lives in the Highlands of Scotland with his wife, two children, and a number of sturdy umbrellas. Despite writing from a young age, 'A Litter of Bones' is his first novel, and combines his love of the Highlands, crime thrillers, and cats.

Reviews

[Lisa Guiry · Rating 5 out of 5]

I listened to this today in it's entirety in one go. I was obsessed.
The book was incredible from start to finish. It was very intense throughout but I liked it. I am a huge fan of J.D Kirk.

I have to mention how James McAvoy was the perfect Narrator for this book. He did a fantastic job getting into the real, raw emotions of each character. He put great effort into making this story come to life like it was him re-living it. Incredibly well done.

I loved this so much and highly recommend.

[Lena Silk · Rating 4 out of 5]

5+ hours of James McAvoy’s voice. That is all.

[Christine · Rating 4 out of 5]

I’m probably not a good source of info here, as James McAvoy could read the ingredients on a cereal box and I’d give it 4 stars so idk

[Lavins · Rating 5 out of 5]

4.5 stars rounded up

THIS is how you write a page turning, nail biting thriller. Absolutely brilliant.

And I gotta say, the narration definitely adds a 1.5 stars to this book.

After suffering a brutal and random attack, Daniel Henderson begins experiencing disturbing visions. visions of women being murdered.

The book is fantastic, and i love how it unfolds. JD Kirk did an amazing job writing the book and making the reader live the states Daniel Henderson goes through with every revelation as intensely as he does.

The ending is excellent and not at all predictable. Highly recommended!

[Alysia · Rating 5 out of 5]

Oh my gosh, this book was amazing. But the narration was even better. Would I have enjoyed the book if I’d read it on my own: yes, I would. It was twisty, which I love. I did’t figure the ending out but once it got to the big reveal, I was like, well obviously. But James McAvoy’s deliverance? Nothing short of absolutely spectacular. I’ve always enjoyed him on screen, but this was like nothing I’ve ever heard before. He completely drew me into the story. I was only sorry I couldn’t finish it in one go but had to break it up since it was audio. I 100% recommend!

[Emma-Louise Withers · Rating 2 out of 5]

Recall has a really interesting premise and starts off strong, but it didn’t fully live up to its potential for me.

The idea behind the story is very intriguing. Daniel Henderson surviving a brutal attack and then experiencing visions connected to an old serial killer case creates a dark and creepy atmosphere. The early chapters pull you in quickly, and the concept of seeing the murders through these visions makes for some genuinely unsettling moments.

However, as the book goes on, the story starts to feel a bit repetitive. Many of the vision scenes follow a similar pattern - Daniel experiences a violent memory, wakes up disturbed, and then struggles to convince others what he saw. While these scenes are effective at first, they begin to feel predictable after a while and slow the momentum of the story.

The supporting characters also could have been developed more. Relationships, especially with characters like Cassie, feel somewhat shallow, which makes the emotional side of the story less impactful than it could have been.

The twist and explanation behind Daniel’s visions is interesting, but it arrives quite quickly compared to the build-up. A bit more depth toward the end might have made the resolution more satisfying.

Overall, Recall is still an entertaining and creepy thriller with a unique concept, but the repetitive middle and underdeveloped characters kept it from being a standout read for me.

[Caitlin]

Literally the best narration I've ever heard, James McAvoy is top tier. I couldn't stop listening, but still not sure if it was the story or the delivery.

[Sophie Ferguson · Rating 3 out of 5]

Another free audible listen right on the back of ‘Him’. I really enjoyed James McAvoy’s narration and the twists and turns did keep me guessing; I made lots of incorrect predictions along the way! I can imagine that this story would translate well as a tv series- I think I prefer serial killers on screen than in book form!

[Stacy B · Rating 4 out of 5]

The narrator was amazing... obviously!!!
The story was unique and fun but did seem to drag on just a bit.

[Claire · Rating 3 out of 5]

I really enjoyed the narration from James! The storyline was good, I found the flicking back and to interesting and I did not have a clue who the Tallyman was, it's always a bonus when you can't see the end coming. The fact that this title is included with the audible membership is also a major bonus 👍🏻

[Melissa Hayes-Norskog · Rating 3 out of 5]

Meh- I love Mcevoy’s voice, but the story… could have been better.

[Stuart Yellop · Rating 3 out of 5]

Silly plot, sublime performance.

[Cheryl Nowak · Rating 5 out of 5]

Listened on audible since its free with ur membership and it was AMAZING! James McAvoy narrating may have made it that much better, with his acting chops its no wonder he can make a book come to life like this! Was hooked in from the beginning and never saw the ending coming at allllllll! If you like thrillers and/or audio books, get this one!

[Sammy · Rating 4 out of 5]

The story itself requires a little suspension of disbelief (not a problem for me), but where this really shines is the narration by James McAvoy, which is exceptional.

However, not for people who can't stomach gore.

[Cameron · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.75*

Incredible audio performance by James McAvoy. On that alone it would be 5 stars but the plot and the story while enjoyable was what let this down a bit.

Twists and turns are well done it just ends up being too unrealistic.

[Leah Toole · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.5 audiobooked it and loved it!! James mcavoy in my ear certainly helped. great story. great actor. great voice 🫠

[Jenna · Rating 4 out of 5]

Who better than JD Kirk to get me out of my reading slump! Thrilling narration from James McAvoy

[Gracie McLaugh · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was so good, legit could not stop listening to it. James McAvoy does an amazing job and the story is so well written. Legit could not guess the ending and every twist I was wrong about. Amazing

[Fiona Martin · Rating 5 out of 5]

Ooh! This was good, scary, thought provoking and quite honestly mind chilling at the thought of what our brains could be susceptible to….. never trust anyone

[Francesca · Rating 5 out of 5]

Absolutely brilliant. James McAvoy reads brilliantly. What an incredible actor with the most stunning voice/accent!

[Shanna Boyle · Rating 4 out of 5]

Phenomenal narration by James McAvoy

[Carley Gonschior · Rating 2 out of 5]

2.5

[Jack]

JD Kirk, always a good bet, just got a copy today

[Steve · Rating 5 out of 5]

Amazing psychological thriller, just couldn’t stop listening.

[Sylvie · Rating 3 out of 5]

The book is weak and predictable. It was saved by the beautiful performance/reading of James McAvoy

[Starling Wilkie · Rating 4 out of 5]

This may not have been to my taste on the page but with James McAvoy’s narration it was totally gripping as an audio book.

[Ellen Gallagher · Rating 4 out of 5]

James McAvoys voices made this book 10x better than it should be. Thought I guessed the plot twice before realising that I was wrong again.

[Jennifer · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great story, well written, compelling and twisty, with a well planned and executed ending. Best part though, is James McAvoy’s voice reading it to you. Get the audio book. Don’t miss it. You’re welcome.

[Rhys Causon · Rating 5 out of 5]

Well I must start by saying James McAvoy was fantastic as the Narrator for this piece. I have listened to some things that have a similar writing style and have messed up with the Narrator not knowing how to perform it.

Having listened to Him by the same author last year I was just waiting for whatever the “sci-fi” twist was but wouldn’t have told you that it [SPOILERS] was a form of hypnosis.

Gripping and an intense performance. Worth checking out.

[Ona · Rating 4 out of 5]

Perfect narration and refreshingly unexpected twists!