Dark Matter

By: Michelle Paver

Narrated by: Jeremy Northam

January 1937. Jack Miller has just about run out of options. His shoes have worn through, he can't afford to heat his rented room in Tooting, and he longs to use his training as a specialist wireless operator instead of working in his dead-end job. When he is given the chance to join an arctic expedition, as communications expert, by a group of elite Oxbridge graduates, he brushes off his apprehensions and convinces himself to join them.

As the young men set sail from a gloomy Britain on the verge of war, Jack feels the overwhelming excitement of not knowing what lies ahead. Little can he imagine the horrors that await him in their destination, Gruhuken, a place that cannot escape the savage echo of its past.

©2010 Michelle Paver (P)2010 Orion Publishing Group Limited

SO SO GOOD!

A beautifully written story. I could visualize every moment of it and loved it all! My new favorite author and narrator.

Oppressive horror

This incredibly slow burn is 6 hours that feels like 10. The atmosphere is oppressive and menacing throughout. The best part is, you could take out the few supernatural elements and have nearly the identical book. I never really have a chance to listen to books these days when it's dark out. I bet this one would be even better when the wind is cold and the windows are dark. Incredible narration.

Good length spooky story

I liked the length and the driving feel towards the end of the book. Could have been long and drawn out but instead this book set the scene and kept you in the edge of your seat til the end.

The narrator adds good character voicing with great overall performance.

Pretty good.

I’ll start by saying I really liked it, but it wasn’t what I expected. I’d heard it was pretty scary from a few sources online, but it wasn’t. It was suspenseful in a handful of parts, but scary is pushing it. It was very well written and I thoroughly enjoyed it, though. I generally return these types of novels if they don’t have me turning every light in the house on for almost the entire book, but I actually finished this one and that says something. I’d definitely recommend it for a great story, but not if you’re just looking for a good scare.

Literally nothing happens

Not a bad story, but not a thriller in any sense of the word. It’s like a pg-13 fade to dark romance story. Thankfully I like arctic stories otherwise this would have been a waste.

Good performance of a mediocre tale

Borrowing a lot from M.R. James, Poe and even a bit of Lovecraft, the story still comes off lacking. The author relies entirely on the vast darkness of the Arctic night and the isolation of the narrator. That there's a boogens of some kind lurking about Gruhaven is made clear by the reactions of the ship's captain and crew, but the dramatic climax is a long haul. Not worth the wait, since the "thing" is only vaguely defined and delivers no visceral fright. Meh.

Powerful story

Definitely gave me the creeps, especially for a person who doesn’t get scared too easily!

Excellent story excellent writing

Enjoyed this thoroughly- I do t normally want a scary story- but this is so good, it was so worth my anxiety of getting scared. Amazing author - great performance reading it!

Great reading, well paced story and great character development

See title. Short and sweet. Loved the performance and the book lived up to expectations.

Excellent

So so good, great atmosphere, perfect pacing, just a very well done ghost story with a cool setting