Ghost Road Blues

The Pine Deep Trilogy, Book 1

By: Jonathan Maberry

Narrated by: Tom Weiner

Length: 14 hrs and 17 mins

Publisher's summary

Winner of the Bram Stoker Award for Best First Novel

From a master of horror comes an apocalyptic showdown between the residents of a secluded, rural town and the deadly evil that confronts them wherever they turn.

Evil doesn’t die.

The cozy little town of Pine Deep buried the horrors of its past a long time ago. Thirty years have gone by since the darkness descended and the Black Harvest began, a time when a serial killer sheared a bloody swath through the quiet Pennsylvania village. The evil that once coursed through Pine Deep has been replaced by cheerful tourists getting ready to enjoy the country’s largest Halloween celebration in what is now called “The Spookiest Town in America.”

It just grows stronger.

But then—a month before Halloween—it begins. Unspeakably desecrated bodies. Inexplicable insanity. An ancient evil walks the streets, drawing in those who would fall to their own demons and seeking to shred the very soul of this rapidly fracturing community. Yes, the residents of Pine Deep have drawn together and faced a killer before. But this time, evil has many faces—and the lust and will to rule the earth. This struggle will be epic.

Keep chilled: listen to more in the Pine Deep trilogy.

©2006 Jonathan Maberry (P)2011 Blackstone Audio, Inc.

Critic reviews

“Maberry supplies plenty of chills, both earthbound and otherworldly, in this atmospheric horror novel…This is horror on a grand scale, reminiscent of Stephen King’s heftier works.” ( Publishers Weekly)

Ghost Road Blues

The Pine Trilogy consists of three novels, Ghost Road Blues, Dead Man's Song, and Bad Moon Rising. This review addresses all three. In unabridged audiobook format, these stories are each between 15-18 hours of listening, all released in the summer/fall of 2011 by Blackstone Audio, and are narrated by Tom Weiner.

Plot. The Pine Trilogy takes place in modern-day Pine Deep, a rural town with a local claim to fame of being haunted with zombies, werewolves, and sundry ghouls of the night. Folks travel far and wide to visit the town, the souvenir shops of bloody fangs, dead rats, scary masks, or take a ride on a haunted trail in a haywagon. Halloween is a huge draw. No secrets to give away, but ... it is bereft of legends and the bad guys are real. The town fights back through a never-ending, bloody mess. If you're into the macabre, drooling, blood drizzling down walls or your shirt front, shooting with abandon even at ghoulish children, cockroaches and slugs falling out of eyes or ..... well, enjoy.

Liked. The storyline is good. We're dealing with creepy characters and good guys. To get the most from the series, start with the first book, Ghost Road Blues, as the characters and story traverse all three books. It's a horror story, hide behind the sofa, leave the lights on terror. Book three is the best, the story and writing improve. The narration is fine, no issues. Nice research into the mythology of werewolves, vampires, et al.

Not so hot. There is grizzly and brutal abuse throughout. Children become ghouls/zombies and get blown to smithereens as do hundreds of people. Women are sexually brutalized and beaten. A teenaged boy is particularly victimized. Some characters you begin to like are turned into heinous vampires, etc.

Recommend for lovers of horror stories and the stomachs to handle some extraordinarily gruesome scenes.

Difficulty getting into it

Would you say that listening to this book was time well-spent? Why or why not?

Ok, I got clued in to jonathan mayberry from the joe ledger novels and I have enjoyed them so much that this purchase was a no brainer. The problem for me came as a result of the narrator. I can't put my finger on it exactly it was just hard for me to get into my usual groove listening to this performance.

great modern horror

The story is a little shaky at times, but holds together well throughout the book. The characters are quickly sketched out with just enough detail to understand their actions. Some really great flashes of beautiful prose tucked in between the suspense and gore. Gotta start the next one right away!

Can't wait for the next one

Would you recommend this audiobook to a friend? If so, why?

Yes
Fun read with great characters

What was one of the most memorable moments of Ghost Road Blues?

All with the bone man ... He just draws you in

Which character – as performed by Tom Weiner – was your favorite?

Mike

Eerie and Good

If you could sum up Ghost Road Blues in three words, what would they be?

I loved this book but not the narration. I have to say I might be partial as it takes place in the area in which I grew up. I thought the story was refreshingly scary and done well. It was not a rip-off of some other scary book. It was original. can't wait to read the second and third.

What did you like best about this story?

That it was a good horror story

How did the narrator detract from the book?

His voices of women and the one boy were simply awful.

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

Pure evil at it's finest!

very dark story

I like Mr Mayberry's short stories much better. very long and very dark, not the entertainment I enjoy.

Mayberry's best!!

This is my favorite book (serires) every...the perfect novel!! what are you waiting for??

can't wait to listen to the 2nd book!

Great book with good characters, over the top action. Well worth the credit and looking forward to the rest of the series.

If you like Stephen King you'll love this book

Great story and engaging characters. It's been a long time since I've enjoyed a book this much. Immediately purchased the next 2 in the series.

Great start to a trilogy

I really enjoyed this book. The narration was great and I instantly was able to get into this book. Be aware however if you get this book, it is the first book of a trilogy and ends on a cliffhanger. So be prepared to get all three books it is well worth it in my opinion.