NOS4A2

A Novel

By: Joe Hill

Narrated by: Kate Mulgrew

Length: 19 hrs and 41 mins

Publisher's summary

The spine-tingling, bone-chilling novel of supernatural suspense from the number one New York Times best-selling author of The Fireman and Horns - now an AMC original series starring Zachary Quinto, Ebon Moss-Bachrach, and Ashleigh Cummings.

"A masterwork of horror." (Time)

Victoria McQueen has an uncanny knack for finding things: a misplaced bracelet, a missing photograph, answers to unanswerable questions. When she rides her bicycle over the rickety old covered bridge in the woods near her house, she always emerges in the places she needs to be.

Charles Talent Manx has a gift of his own. He likes to take children for rides in his 1938 Rolls-Royce Wraith with the vanity plate NOS4A2. In the Wraith, he and his innocent guests can slip out of the everyday world and onto hidden roads that lead to an astonishing playground of amusements he calls Christmasland.

The journey across the highway of Charlie's twisted imagination transforms his precious passengers, leaving them as terrifying and unstoppable as their benefactor.

Then comes the day when Vic goes looking for trouble...and finds her way to Charlie. That was a lifetime ago. Now, the only kid ever to escape Charlie's evil is all grown up and desperate to forget. But Charlie Manx hasn't stopped thinking about Victoria McQueen. On the road again, he won't slow down until he's taken his revenge. He's after something very special - something Vic can never replace.

As a life-and-death battle of wills builds, Vic McQueen prepares to destroy Charlie once and for all - or die trying.

©2013 Joe Hill (P)2013 HarperCollins Publishers

Critic reviews

"Quite simply the best horror writer of our generation, Joe Hill’s masterful storytelling is on full display in NOS4A2. It is by turns terrifying and hilarious, horrifying and full of heart, and relentlessly compelling." (Michael Koryta, New York Times bestselling author of The Prophet)

"Fascinating and utterly engaging, this novel is sure to leave readers wanting more. One thing is for certain, however. After reading this book, readers will never hear Christmas carols in quite the same way again." ( Library Journal, starred review)

"[A] new take on the fantasy-horror genre...Highly recommended." ( The Sun Herald Sydney, Australia)

Very creepy, very enjoyable

What made the experience of listening to NOS4A2 the most enjoyable?

Ms. Mulgrew's performance!

What did you like best about this story?

Creepy children <3

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

I have not. I should fix this!

Who was the most memorable character of NOS4A2 and why?

Wayne, because of his strong resolve

Any additional comments?

Very enjoyable listen. Joe Hill rambled a lot in the second half, unfortunately, which took away from the creepy spookiness for a lot of it, but the end gets good

Wow! Surprisingly good!

Captain janeway does a great job narrating. The story was well-writtten and engaging. I recommend!

interesting and creepy Christmas children

if you like stories with creepy kids. this is for you. Much enjoyment about the haunted old car and fascinating detail.

One very irritating flaw in a very good work...

What made the experience of listening to NOS4A2 the most enjoyable?

Kate Mulgrew's reading is, as always, wonderful, and the book itself is remarkably similar to the works of Stephen King in so many ways. The fact that the quality overall was so high is what makes its major blunder so incomprehensible. When you use real locations to bring the story into the believable world, you have to get it right. The town of Haverhill, MA is a key location, referred to dozens and dozens of times in the book. It turns out that ANYONE who has been there, or within 30 miles of it, knows that it's pronounced "HAY-vrill", not "HAV-er-hill". How is it possible that no one in the chain of author, publisher, director, producer, and actor managed to catch this? I know nobody from Seattle could care less, but to us from here, it's like having your knuckles bashed with a hammer every 20 minutes for 20 hours.
Otherwise, nice story.

great thriller with a bunch of twists.

Great novel. An emotionally charged thriller that never disappointed. Great twists and turns. I enjoyed the curious and frightening look into the depths of the imaginations of all the characters. Great ending - very satisfying!

I couldn't stop listening

So good. Kate Mulgrew is perfect. It's a creepily fun take on magical abilities and objects.

Wow! Fantastic Story.....

I gave this 5 stars across the board. Kate Mulgrew did a phenomenal job narrating this story. When I started the book, I thought to myself "this guy (Joe Hill) could rival Stephen King"......only to find out it is his son. Excellent story!!

Love

Ms. Mulgrew is amazing. And this book has some seriously creepy parts! There is one scene that will forever be etched in my mind.

Great story and narration, 4.5 stars

this was a really interesting premise with very engaging characters. great narration by Kate Mulgrew. the book was a bit reminiscent of Stephen King

Great Storytelling!

I loved it! Kate Mulgrew is geeat with voicing all the characters. It was a really good storyline that keeps you listening!