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)

Incredible!

This is an author I was not at all familiar with, but this book seemed to be so highly recommended that I took a chance. I am very glad that I did! The writing is so descriptive that it grabs your imagination in the first sentence, and keeps you captive to the very end. The narration is very well done, and the background sound effects tasteful. I live in Ohio and have visited French Lick many times. I will look at it differently next time. This is an author that I will add to my list of favorites. He reminds me a bit of Stephen King with a little of the mystery of Ray Bradbury's Something Wicked This Way Comes tossed in. It's one of those books you can't put down, and know that it is also one you will read again. Fantastic!

Very good listen

I ran across this as a recommendation from Stephen King. I don't always agree with his choices but this one did not disappoint. Great reader and interesting story. If you like a historical education with your stories then you will not be disappointed. I remember when the French Lick resorts were first restored and I always found it interesting that they would restore a resort out in the middle of nowhere. Now I have a better appreciation for the history and the place. It makes me want to go there next time I am through Indiana but it isn't cheap!

Great spooky story ruined by a sex scene.

Really enjoyed the story but a descriptive sex scene added absolutely nothing and was not necessary. Great narration.

Close to home

I live about 40 minutes from Springs Valley so this book was like dejavu.....made me want to go walk in the woods, ride the train and just walk the halls of the hotel.....loved loved loved the style of this writer....kept you so interested throughout the entire book.....and with the audio....and the sound effects....gave me chills sometimes down your back. I'd like to read another one of this author I think...he was so interesting

Enjoyable story about a glorious hotel

Being from around this area, I very much enjoyed this book. I wish that the end would’ve provided a better explanation, but overall, I still recommend this book. Very well written, and a unique story.

What I did not like, was the performance of the audio book. Having sound effects drove me completely insane. I found it very distracting and had I not been in the car, I would’ve stopped the audio book and just read the hard copy.

delightful

nice twists that keep you guessing. good suspense. sometimes spine tingling. good wrap up ending

Interesting setting, unsatisfying end

I loved the period research location characters and start of the concept. The narrator did a superb job. The ending left too much hanging loose like the editor told the author finish it NOW! Things never got explained or resolved. A tornado came and ... done. What??!!

WOW This is a must read

ABSOLUTELY captivating and creative writing that draws you in and keeps you entertained for hours and the characters are realistic and diverse. I highly recommended this novel, wonderfully written and narrated.

Intense!

This book was very good. It was interesting and intense. It was a little unbelievable, but it was diverting. This audiobook includes ghosts, violence, sexual intercourse, and cursing. Therefore, I would not recommend it for younger listeners. Still, I think most adults would enjoy it.

Made this Hoosier proud

As a Hoosier who has visited French Lick and West Baden, I thoroughly enjoyed this story. Just the right balance of suspense and supernatural. The narration was excellent. I can’t wait to watch the movie!