So Cold the River

By: Michael Koryta

Narrated by: Robert Petkoff

Length: 13 hrs and 33 mins

Publisher's summary

Now a major motion picture: So Cold the River is a chilling, supernatural tale "guaranteed to put the cold finger down your spine" (Michael Connelly).

It started with a beautiful woman and a challenge. As a gift for her husband, Alyssa Bradford approaches Eric Shaw to make a documentary about her father-in-law, Campbell Bradford, a 95-year-old billionaire whose past is wrapped in mystery. Eric grabs the job even though there are few clues to the man's past—just the name of his hometown and an antique water bottle he's kept his entire life.

In Bradford's hometown, Eric discovers an extraordinary history—a glorious domed hotel where movie stars, presidents, athletes, and mobsters once mingled, and hot springs whose miraculous mineral water cured everything from insomnia to malaria. Neglected for years, the resort has been restored to its former grandeur just in time for Eric's stay.

Just hours after his arrival, Eric experiences a frighteningly vivid vision. As the days pass, the frequency and intensity of his hallucinations increase and draw Eric deeper into the town's dark history. He discovers that something besides the hotel has been restored—a long-forgotten evil that will stop at nothing to regain its lost glory. Brilliantly imagined and terrifyingly real, So Cold the River is a tale of irresistible suspense with a racing, unstoppable current.

©2010 Michael Koryta (P)2010 Hachette

Critic reviews

"A cataclysmic finale will put readers in mind of some of the best recent works of supernatural horror, among which this book ranks." ( Publishers Weekly)

"This book builds like a summer storm. Beautiful to watch until it shakes the house and knocks out the lights, leaving you alone in the dark. Another masterful work from Michael Koryta, So Cold the River is guaranteed to put the cold finger down your spine." (Michael Connelly)

Enthralling read!

Where does So Cold the River rank among all the audiobooks you’ve listened to so far?

I really think this is one of my favorite books of all time. I have had it for quite a while, and I often go back to it to listen again. This story drew me in like no other has (except maybe Stephen King's The Cell or Mark Tufo's Spirit Clearing). I am very familiar with the setting of this story, and have stayed in both the West Baden and the French Licks hotels long before finding this novel. I always thought Pluto was a haunting creature, and you can feel the spirits among you.

Who was your favorite character and why?

Eric - He is totally convinced he knows what he is doing, and he forges through in spite of all the elements against him.

Which scene was your favorite?

I loved the scene where the little old lady is taken captive. She's quit spunky.

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

Yes, but it was way too long to listen in one sitting.

Any additional comments?

Get it. If you like entertaining, spiritual and supernatural elements, you will love it.

An intriguing story with a boring title!

The only thing I didn’t like about this book was the title- and I mention it only because it’s hard to find good books and the title and cover art on this one were so mundane they almost made me pass it by. The title is so ordinary it could be a book about anything - and this book is deserving of a much more inspiring or imaginative title to go with a unique and imaginative story!

I’m glad I read the publisher’s summary since it hinted at a rather unusual tale of an old time remedy and a town with history and mystery tinged with the supernatural. Once I started listening I was hooked. The narrator did a great job and there were sound effects woven into the narration that added a touch of an old radio show- very fitting for the story.

I’m not good at guessing what’s going to happen next and this book was full of surprises. The characters were well done and the suspense built up nicely. I couldn’t stop listening towards the end and enjoyed it thoroughly. Highly recommended if you like mystery with a twist of the supernatural mixed in.

You Never Know Which Way Koryta's River Will Run

I find Koryta novels, as well as his writing style, original and different with each book. You never know what kind of fiction you are going to get. This novel is centered around a documentary being made regarding a small town's history, which includes a mysterious little bottle of water that is believed to do amazing things. Original storyline and well written. Petkoff is excellent, as always. There is a lot of talent in this audiobook.

A Good Mystery Read

This is a good summer read. You can do other things while listening. It was an interesting story, but never really thrilled me where I couldn't stop listening to it at anytime.

Good ghost story

I enjoyed this book for what it is - a good ghost story. It's not quite the 5 star level that I have experienced with other Michael Koryta books, mainly because the main character was a little less appealing (although I have always liked that Koryta's characters are a bit flawed), and the the ending left a couple of things not very well explained - won't spoil by elaborating. Overall I liked the spookiness and I did like many of the characters as written, especially Ann - I was rooting for her all the way. It's not perfect, but it's worth the credit.

story had more promise than what was delivered.

a different type of story for sure . i now have an interest in the area where the book was written and plan to visit.

I went to West Baden Hotel and my goodness its big

I live in Indiana so I went to see the hotel
Made the book better.

I liked it

Great story. told well. I enjoyed listening to the narrator. he distinguished a reconizable differents between each character, witch I like.

Really solid!

I really liked this book. I thought the story was really original, and I enjoyed the mix of historical fiction and modern mystery/suspense. I really didn't know how the story was going to end, which is unusual for me, so that was a big plus.
The only things I can say in terms of criticism are that a few times the story slowed to an agonizing pace, and occasionally the music and sound effects added to the performance actually detracted from the reading of the story.
Other than that, I highly recommend this book. Such a great break from the same old haunted house stories.

Historical Fiction with a Supernatural Twist

If you could sum up So Cold the River in three words, what would they be?

Pulls you in

Who was your favorite character and why?

The main character, Eric. He evolves from a self pitying, angry, borderline alcoholic who locks anyone out of his life that tries to help him or in the case of his wife, Claire, who also loves him. The supernatural events that happen to Eric help him to see into the past but eventually also bring him to the point where he sheds his emotional protective armor and reconnect with the world.

What does Robert Petkoff bring to the story that you wouldn’t experience if you just read the book?

The voice of Campbell Bradford is menacing, cold and perfect.

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

You never know what's behind the wind.

Any additional comments?

This is a captivating story of transformation for a washed up film maker, an orphaned 14 year-old boy, and a lonely,elderly woman. A tale that weaves in and out of the past and present but is bound together by the cloudy, mysterious water in a green bottle that seems to have a life of its own.