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Stop the Car  By  cover art

Stop the Car

By: Mark McNease
Narrated by: Braden Wright
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Publisher's summary

The year is 1977. Three teenagers drive along an Indiana back road, heading home away from the highway, away from prying eyes and traffic cops. One behind the driver's wheel, two in the back seat sampling the merchandise that could get them all jailed. And then, as the car careens beneath a black sky lit only by a million stars, they see it. Something in the sky, something large and close and beckoning with its strangeness.

The boys demand they stop the car. The driver refuses, terrified of what might happen if she listens to them. Whatever it is they see makes the decision for them and stops the car in its tracks. What happens next to them could be real or imagined, but it will never be forgotten.

©2015 Mark McNease (P)2016 Kindle Singles

What listeners say about Stop the Car

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  • Overall
    4 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars
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    4 out of 5 stars

Enjoy the Trip!

Whether or not you believe the main character’s account of things, you will enjoy the trip. This short fist-person psychological/sci-fi piece by Mark McNease follows the experience of a small crew of interesting characters whose counterbalancing exchanges push the story’s forward moving momentum. I loved the narrative’s casual but clever conversational feel: “Granville Indiana isn't the center of anything but itself… It's got a couple of malls that killed the downtown when…"

McNease delivers with surprises that are elegantly placed, and with an ending that left me wondering, but in a satisfied way. Because this piece was so nicely done, I am now interested in exploring McNease’s “Kyle Callahan Mysteries,” which are novel length works.

Narrator Braden Wright stole an already unstoppable show. Better put, he owned it. Braden reads the story as if he wrote it himself— Correction-— as if he LIVED it himself. His ability to combine outstanding articulation with a laid-back, “It’s just the two of us here” personalization is remarkable.

This audiobook was provided by the author, narrator, or publisher at no cost in exchange for an unbiased review. Thanks AudioBlast.

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3 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
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Riveting

What made the experience of listening to Stop the Car the most enjoyable?

The build up of tension, the perfect pitch and perfect pace.

What did you like best about this story?

The blend of pathos and mystery, of the ordinary and the extraordinary.

What about Braden Wright’s performance did you like?

His obvious connection with the subject matter.

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

Absolutely.

Any additional comments?

I am a writer. When I listen to a story I hear when sentences falter and when they triumph. There were no false notes in this story, just beautiful, evocative writing. Listening to "Stop the Car" made me want to pick up my pen and start writing, to take part in the magic of creation. Bravo, Mark. I loved it.

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2 people found this helpful

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    4 out of 5 stars
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    4 out of 5 stars
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    4 out of 5 stars

Enjoyable short story

You hear about alien encounters over the years and this book is similar and yet different from stories and movies about the alien encounters. Seldom do you hear someone say they want to be taken by the aliens. It was well narrated and an enjoyable short story.

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  • Overall
    4 out of 5 stars

Great book

Very short book for when you don't have a lot of time. Well written I liked it and think others will as well. You can't go wrong here if you quick reads.

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  • Overall
    4 out of 5 stars
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    4 out of 5 stars

Deja vu

The story is eerily familiar. I, too, attended college in Indiana in 1977, did drugs, and wondered what that point in life, the future, why we are here in a bigger sense was all about. Thanx for helping me reflect on those days and those thoughts that were and will always be a part of me. Very nice short story!

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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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    4 out of 5 stars

Teenagers don't change


Reminds me of the kind of short story published in the New Yorker. It kind of rambles along like life at 19, the most memorable of which is spotting an alien ship amidst the farmland and losing three hours of life. I find it to be a fine think piece.

The audiobook is monologued by Braden Wright, who absolutely nails it!

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  • Overall
    3 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    4 out of 5 stars
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    2 out of 5 stars

Stop the Car

well,it was short!Friends get hi and see a UFO.Truth or not?Who knows.Th narrator is ok.I'm not sure what the people that gave this 5 starts read.Obviously not the same book.
I was given this free for an honest review.

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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

An Eerie And Elegant, Must Read, Short Story

“Stop The Car” is a truly great short story that packs a lot of story in a small amount of time. Set in 1977 and told in a conversational style, this story fires on all cylinders while being a sort of eerie psychological exercise. You will probably find yourself reading/listening to this work more than once for the pleasure of the story and to let it absorb and marinate. “Stop The Car” is an experience that’s definitely worth your time. It will also make you an instant fan of author Mark McNease.

Finally, this audio book was provided by the author at no cost in exchange for an honest review, courtesy of Audio Book Blast.

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  • Overall
    4 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    4 out of 5 stars

Take Me Home!

Where does Stop the Car rank among all the audiobooks you’ve listened to so far?

It's a stop and think, I've also felt like that way before short story. A well chosen narrator with a easily understood voice

What did you like best about this story?

The autobiographical aspect of Mark McNease's writing that makes the listener recall feelings of "alienation" from parents, family, friends. Pardon the pun. I think many of the thoughts and feelings stay with us for a lifetime. They resonated with me anyway.

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

I haven't but I would gladly listen to other audiobooks that feature Braden Wright.

Who was the most memorable character of Stop the Car and why?

The first person narrator. Was he ever named?

Any additional comments?

Thanks for providing this for review. This audiobook was provided by the author, at no cost in exchange for an unbiased review.

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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

Clever story well told

The author takes a turn from crime solving to the case book of the X-files in a smart short story brilliantly narrated.

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