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

The chills you've come to expect.

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

It's probably in the top 10. Mile 81 was a good story that is very well written. Basically what we've come to expect from King. However with that being said it may have been a little too pat. There wasn't alot of "shock or suprise" for me. However with that being said I loved the surprise story at the end. It was full of surprise and was really worth waiting for.

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

The interaction of the children with the "horse lady" and the "state police officer". It gave it an extra quality that made the characters feel more three dimensional.

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

No; however I look forward to hearing them more.

If you could rename Mile 81, what would you call it?

I like Mile 81, I am not sure I would change it. It's vague enough to make you wonder but yet tells you where you're at as well.

Any additional comments?

While I enjoyed Mile 81 the real gem for me is the suprise story at the end. It is a great peice that makes you think you know where you're going only to slap you in the face for your arrogance. Really a great peice.

Nice for a brief interruption

Is there anything you would change about this book?

No.

What was the most interesting aspect of this story? The least interesting?

Nothing stands out.

Would you listen to another book narrated by Edward Herrmann and Thomas Sadoski ?

Sure.

Was Mile 81 worth the listening time?

I believe it was a nice interruption between the longer titles I read.

Any additional comments?

No.

True Stephen King

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

Yes. The story seems 'possilbe'...it could really happen...Maybe

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

Nothing specific

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

Both narrators did well

If you could rename Mile 81, what would you call it?

Mile 81 is perfect as the title

Stephen King is the best!

I have never been disappointed in what Stephen King writes, except maybe that it always ends.

Mile 81

Loved the audio book was entertaining to say the least need more like that maybe longer

Great

Great book totally in King style keeps you on the edge of your seat through the whole book.

Scary! Like an old King Story. Love Stephen king.

it was good. I liked listening to the actors. Story was great for the ride home from work.

super creepy

enjoyed both short stories. good reads for a lazy Sunday. mile 81 was chilling and the dune was one of those odd tales king spins that are commonplace but slightly disturbing.

awesome

What made the experience of listening to Mile 81 the most enjoyable?

Loved it, classic short story, absolutely perfect!

Ripoff! This is not a book.

What disappointed you about Mile 81?

I thought I bought a book. Instead I got 3 short stories. I'd like a refund!

What was most disappointing about Stephen King’s story?

I thought I bought a book. Instead I got 3 short stories. I'd like a refund!

How could the performance have been better?

It could have been a book.