• The Magic Cottage

  • By: James Herbert
  • Narrated by: Kris Dyer
  • Length: 12 hrs and 18 mins
  • 3.8 out of 5 stars (52 ratings)

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The Magic Cottage  By  cover art

The Magic Cottage

By: James Herbert
Narrated by: Kris Dyer
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Editorial reviews

A young couple finds a dilapidated but still-idyllic cottage in Hampshire's New Forest and quickly move into their dream home. However, before long, strange occurrences begin to disturb their little paradise: ominous sounds from the attic and shadowy figures lurking among the trees. Narrator Kris Dyer builds an easy rapport with listeners as Midge and Mike settle into their home, then slowly infuses tension and anxiety into his performance as the couple cross paths with a cultish group with sinister intentions. Listeners will continue to feel the chill of this horror story long after they have turned it off.

Publisher's summary

The nightmare home. We thought we'd found our haven, a cottage deep in the heart of the forest. Quaint, charming, maybe a little run-down, but so peaceful. The woodland animals and birds couldn't have been more neighbourly. That was the first part of the Magic. Midge's painting and my music soared to new heights of creativity. That was another part of the Magic. Our sensing, our feelings, our love for each other - well, that became the supreme Magic. But the cottage had an alternative side. The Bad Magic.

What happened to us there was horrendous beyond belief. The miracles, the healings, the crazy sect who wanted our home for themselves, the hideous creatures that crawled from the nether regions, and the bats - oh God, the bats! Even now those horrible things seem impossible to me. Yet they happened...

James Herbert was one of Britain's greatest popular novelists and our #1 best-selling writer of chiller fiction. Widely imitated and hugely influential, he wrote 23 novels which have collectively sold over 54 million copies worldwide and been translated into 34 languages.

Born in London in the forties, James Herbert was art director of an advertising agency before turning to writing fiction in 1975. His first novel, The Rats, was an instant bestseller and is now recognised as a classic of popular contemporary fiction. Herbert went on to publish a new top ten best-seller every year until 1988. He wrote six more best-selling novels in the 1990s and three more since: Once, Nobody True and The Secret of Crickley Hall. Herbert died in March 2013 at the age of 69.

©1986 James Herbert (P)2013 Audible Ltd

What listeners say about The Magic Cottage

Average customer ratings
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Enjoyable

I really enjoyed this book. No one was an idiot or obtuse. My one negative comment is that I wasn't a huge fan of the narrator's voice for the main female character but not annoying enough to really bother me.

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

liked it! just a nice fun story.

To me it was a good fairly predictable story with a good ending.
But beware of the bats and crazy cultists.Mitch was a bit annoying, when she was seeking answers from her dead parents, but thank god! She saw the light just in time.kept me listening which is good as I don't always finish a book.

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

Excellent!

A terrific story!! Kris Dyer, the narrator, did an excellent job. He brought the story and characters alive and they will become part of you. The writing style is some of the best I’ve ever experienced. ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

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  • Overall
    2 out of 5 stars
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    1 out of 5 stars
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    3 out of 5 stars

Not as aggressive as his earlier books .

I found the narrator voice for midge displeasing and it took me out of the book quite often.

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  • Overall
    1 out of 5 stars
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    1 out of 5 stars
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    3 out of 5 stars

Voice for female character made me cringe.

I read this book a long time ago and loved it. The story is good. I listened to a sample, but it did not include the narrator's voice for the female character or else I never would have wasted a credit on this. It's nasally, whiny, and almost mocking. It's the kind of voice you would use for someone unlikeable. Perhaps it's only me, but I just couldn't get past it. So I can't really give a review to the rest of the book.

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

Slow

This was a slow moving book, I kept waiting for more to happen but it didnt. however it was well written and I appreciated that.

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

It pulls you in

Great book to listen to with words that easily create the back drop in your imagination. The narrated is amazing.

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  • Overall
    2 out of 5 stars
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    3 out of 5 stars
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    1 out of 5 stars

Disappointment

What disappointed you about The Magic Cottage?

The story never really got going till the very end. The ending seemed rushed. After listening to The secret of crickety hall by Herbert, which was great, this was a disappointment.

What do you think your next listen will be?

I will in the future give James Herbert another try.

Would you listen to another book narrated by Kris Dyer?

Yes, his narration was good with emotions.

What character would you cut from The Magic Cottage?

several, did not care for the story line.

Any additional comments?

will return

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