Mile 81

By: Stephen King

Narrated by: Edward Herrmann, Thomas Sadoski

Length: 2 hrs and 31 mins

Publisher's summary

Mile 81 is Stand by Me meets Christine - the story of an insatiable car and a heroic kid.

At Mile 81 on the Maine turnpike is a boarded-up rest stop, a place where high-school kids drink and get into the kind of trouble high-school kids have always gotten into. It’s the place where Pete Simmons goes when his older brother, who’s supposed to be looking out for him, heads off to the gravel pit to play “paratroopers over the side.” Pete, armed only with the magnifying glass he got for his 10th birthday, finds a discarded bottle of vodka in the boarded up burger shack and drinks enough to pass out.

Not much later, a mud-covered station wagon (which is strange because there hadn’t been any rain in New England for over a week) veers into the Mile 81 rest area, ignoring the sign that says “closed, no services”. The driver’s door opens, but nobody gets out.

Doug Clayton, an insurance man from Bangor, is driving his Prius to a conference in Portland. On the backseat are his briefcase and suitcase and in the passenger bucket is a King James Bible, what Doug calls “the ultimate insurance manual”, but it isn’t going to save Doug when he decides to be the Good Samaritan and help the guy in the broken down wagon. He pulls up behind it, puts on his four-ways, and then notices that the wagon has no plates.

Ten minutes later, Julianne Vernon, pulling a horse trailer, spots the Prius and the wagon, and pulls over. Julianne finds Doug Clayton’s cracked cell phone near the wagon door - and gets too close herself. By the time Pete Simmons wakes up from his vodka nap, there are a half a dozen cars at the Mile 81 rest stop. Two kids - Rachel and Blake Lussier - and one horse named Deedee are the only living left. Unless you maybe count the wagon.

©2012 The Storyville Company, LLC. (P)2012 Simon & Schuster

Awesome!

Would you listen to Mile 81 again? Why?

Yes, I will listen to this book again because the events were so unpredictable I am anxious to see if I like it as much the second time. I think I will.

Who was your favorite character and why?

The older sibling, who kept the younger siblings in line and out of danger.

What about Edward Herrmann and Thomas Sadoski ’s performance did you like?

I liked everything about their performance. They were articulate and believable.

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

The Rest Stop Alien

Any additional comments?

Typical King - a totally entertaining story.

A very hair raising journey!

What did you love best about Mile 81?

This story creeped me out when I was listening alone at night in bed. Better than any horror story I could imagine.

What was one of the most memorable moments of Mile 81?

I don't want to give it away but you will not be disappointed

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

Yes . . and I did

Short and sweet

Where does Mile 81 rank among all the audiobooks you’ve listened to so far?

Hard to say. As a short story it ranks pretty high, but it's not a novel so it's hard for it to have any lasting emotional bonds.

Fun short story

I enjoyed this during a 3 hour car trip. Amazing character development in a very short time.

Totally King

Would you recommend this book to a friend? Why or why not?

No, I would not recommend this book. A car-thing that eats people??? Really?

Would you ever listen to anything by Stephen King again?

I enjoyed listening to the Gunslinger, so maybe. Or possibly it was just that the narrator was just that good.

Did Mile 81 inspire you to do anything?

Turn it off.

Any additional comments?

This may appeal to a younger audience that is less mature. Half way through the story I still cannot find anything redeeming about it and I turned it off. I will not wonder what happened.

It’s sticky

Where does Mile 81 rank among all the audiobooks you’ve listened to so far?

Its high it reminds me a lot of the scary stories we told camping as kids.

Which character – as performed by Edward Herrmann and Thomas Sadoski – was your favorite?

they both do a very good job of narration, the stories are compelling and they keep you interested.

Did you have an extreme reaction to this book? Did it make you laugh or cry?

Some of my favorite king book hook me early and take me for a ride and this is one of those.

Another winner from the master

Where does Mile 81 rank among all the audiobooks you’ve listened to so far?

Definitely in the top of the heap

What did you like best about this story?

Characters were well-written and it kept your interest

Have you listened to any of Edward Herrmann and Thomas Sadoski ’s other performances before? How does this one compare?

No

Any additional comments?

Too short!!

No one does it like King - don't miss this!

Where does Mile 81 rank among all the audiobooks you’ve listened to so far?

One of my favorites. I'd not read this, so it was a double treat.

What did you like best about this story?

Creepy - sucked me right in.

What about Edward Herrmann and Thomas Sadoski ’s performance did you like?

Edward Herrmann nailed the Southern judge accent - the ending of "The Dune" gave me chills.

classic

If you could sum up Mile 81 in three words, what would they be?

This was classic Stephen King. Detailed so that you are immersed in the story but to the point. The end of The Dune was great!

Classic King

If you could sum up Mile 81 in three words, what would they be?

I loved the story, just what I would expected from all time "King" of horror stories.