Great old-fashioned ghost story

I don't seek out ghost stories too often -- nothing ever seems to equal Susan Hills's "The Woman in Black" -- the audiobook, not the film. Ghost stores just don't get any better than that. But this one comes close. I'm not sure why I decided to take a chance on it, but I like creepy old houses, especially if a ghost or two might linger, so that was probably it.

Glad I did -- I should have known this would be good. James Herbert also wrote "The Fog" and I remember reading that decades ago, and afterward, that book came to mind every single day when the tule fog overtook the Sacramento Valley and I had to navigate around in it. That's a seriously frightening book, too.

"Secrets" also has none of the things I don't like in a scary story, which is to say, I don't like stories that merge into science fiction. These are actual ghosts in this book -- real ghosts -- ha! -- not alien creatures or dragons or man-made monsters, or any of that sort of thing.

There are truly creepy moments aplenty -- although why people who are already unnerved by odd happenings decide to explore the basement is always beyond me, although I suppose if they didn't, there wouldn't be a book.

Special praise for the narrator, David Rintoul -- he must have burned up a thousand calories an hour narrating this. It's a high-energy narration, but in a good way. Just very well done.

Highly recommended. And three cheers for Chester -- a real trouper!

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ZZZZZ......

Would you try another book from James Herbert and/or David Rintoul?

I've read and enjoyed others, so maybe.

What do you think your next listen will be?

Probably a John Connolly mystery.

Who would you have cast as narrator instead of David Rintoul?

He was ok.

What character would you cut from The Secret of Crickley Hall?

Oh, that is funny. The whole thing needs an editor to pare it down by half. It never seemed to end.

Any additional comments?

I love a good ghost story. Sadly, this isn't one. The characters are stupid waaaay past the point of disbelief. I felt smothered with foreshadowing that never really came to much. The only mystery here is why this story went on so long.

7 personnes ont trouvé cela utile

Perfect Ghost Story!!

What made the experience of listening to The Secret of Crickley Hall the most enjoyable?

David Rintoul is an amazing narrator! Such an engaging listen. I will definitely seek out his books.

If you were to make a film of this book, what would be the tag line be?

Can't wait for the BBC show!

Any additional comments?

Enthralling ghost story and a wonderful narrator. A definite "page turner, edge of your seat" kind of book. Loved it!

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The SECRETS of Crickley Hall

The book should be called "The Secrets of Crickley Hall" as there is much to find out about this depressing and creepy vacation home. Herbert's dark and stormy night tale of tragedy and suspense is narrated perfectly by Rintoul. I found Rintoul's narration in some parts bordering on theatrical, I would score it as 4.5 if we could give half stars. The story has many layers which made it a "page turner" for me. Overall a great ghost story.

6 personnes ont trouvé cela utile

Finally, A great classic Ghost Story!

Where does The Secret of Crickley Hall rank among all the audiobooks you’ve listened to so far?

I listen to ALOT of books. Most are to just get through the day and have background noise, but this is really one of the better books I have ever listened to, as far as thrillers / mysteries go. Reader was perfect, and the book was long,18 hours or so, but the plot moved along as it should have. Overall, I am now a big fan of James Herbert.

Who was your favorite character and why?

The Caretaker of Crickley Hall. Because he's an animal lover. Very cool twist at the end of the book regarding the family dog, Chester.

What does David Rintoul bring to the story that you wouldn’t experience if you just read the book?

Great English Accent.

Any additional comments?

If you like classic ghost stories this is a great one. Old spooky house, strange happenings, unexpected twists and turns, very talented Reader, how can you go wrong?

4 personnes ont trouvé cela utile

Wickedly well done haunting

I really enjoyed this tale. The narration was awesome. Couldn't put down my earpiece kind of wonderful. Not gory, has great twists. Enjoy!

3 personnes ont trouvé cela utile

Swish Thwack. READ IT!

Any additional comments?

get it. read it. good good good. being a jaded horror reader, i didn't think i would like Crickley Hall. I was wrong. I deeply enjoyed it. was it terribly scary? no, but i did get the creeps from time to time. and it was a very interesting read. the characters were good. their relationships were believable. there was plenty to keep me coming back when the chills were only so-so. the reader is extraordinary. his nuanced reading adds to the material. it lends the lines an extra push of reality, of "this is actually happening."

3 personnes ont trouvé cela utile

Thoroughly Creepy

If you could sum up The Secret of Crickley Hall in three words, what would they be?

Touches every fear

What other book might you compare The Secret of Crickley Hall to and why?

The Haunted by Bickley Little
Tells of a tortured, purely evil soul bent on terrorizing it's occupants.

Have you listened to any of David Rintoul’s other performances before? How does this one compare?

No I haven't heard any of his other performances but I truly enjoyed him in this book.

Was this a book you wanted to listen to all in one sitting?

I did but it also wasn't too hard to put it down as needed, rewind it a little when I got a chance and finish it up.

2 personnes ont trouvé cela utile

Would not recommend

Raising and lowering your voice to emphasize words is great, but this narrator does it so extremely that even on full volume sometimes I can barely understand him. Then out of no where he's yelling again. It's very frustrating.

The story was fine up until the last few chapters. It got really boring and predictable at what was supposed to be the climax of the story.

1 personne a trouvé cela utile

There really isn’t a secret....

After the first chapters you can predict the middle and end....there is absolutely no secret. It should be called The Blatantly Foreshadowed Secret of Crickley Hall. Sigh.....

The narrator did a good job, though.

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