Cape Fear (aka The Executioners)

By: John D. MacDonald, Dean Koontz - introduction

Narrated by: Stephen Hoye, Dean Koontz (introduction)

A classic novel by John D. MacDonald with an exclusive introduction written and read by Dean Koontz.

An insane criminal threatens to destroy a family, and the police are powerless to protect them.

For 14 years convicted rapist Max Cady nursed his hatred for Sam Bowden into an insane passion for revenge. He lived only for the day he would be free - free to track down and destroy the man who had put him behind bars. Murder was merciful compared to what Cady had in mind - and what Cady had in mind was Bowden's innocent and lovely teenaged daughter….

©1957, 1958 John D. MacDonald Publishing, Inc. Copyright renewed 1985, 1986 by John D. MacDonald. (P)2014 Audible Inc.

Critic reviews

"A powerful and frightening story." (The New York Times)

Robert Mitchum is the bad guy

What made the experience of listening to Cape Fear (aka The Executioners) the most enjoyable?

I remember the movie. It was a bit different and a long time ago, but the suspense was there all the way through.

enjoyed this book.

Would you listen to Cape Fear (aka The Executioners) again? Why?

yes. i enjoyed the story very much.

Did the plot keep you on the edge of your seat? How?

for the most part yes. the subject was a naturally tense one.

What do you think the narrator could have done better?

he could have made his voice different for different characters. i thought he did a good job with kadey.

Was there a moment in the book that particularly moved you?

when the dog was killed. but there were several moments similar.

Any additional comments?

at first i was annoyed that kadey did not "say" much in the book. but then i thought about this. sam and his family did not know what he was doing either. this is what scared them.

Gripping

Realistic character psychology and plot that pulls you into it. The narration was adequate’ Well worth buying.

Awful Narration

Talk about a terrible narrator. For a story that is so intense when reading and on screen this narration makes it boring and slow. The narrator has one speed and heaven forbid he raises or lower is voice in a effort to enhance the story.
Thank goodness i did not waste a credit on this. but even for a couple bucks i cannot listen to it.

The Executioners

The best kind of John D. MacDonald novel. I've read so much Travis McGee, I've forgotten that John D. could write different characters. I liked Sam Bowden and his wife a lot. They seemed to reflect me (and my situation) more than Travis McGee ever did. I could relate better. It seemed a bit more grounded, less of a heroic caricature.

Music.

Perfect writing. Golden story. In my opinion: near unsurpassable. And it is great fun all through.

I would rather read than listen to this one.

Although I enjoyed the plot build and suspense, the narrator was too monotone for me.

Prefer the Travis McGee series instead

Whole store just didn’t feel relevant today - very much a period piece. Would make a better movie.

Dated But Great

It's made clear early in the book that the story is set on the early 1960s. If you never lived in that culture you won't understand the significance of all the time spent lightning, sharing, picking up putting down, and even smoking cigarettes. Just ignore all that. It's a great story. Enjoy it.

Wrong narrator for this book

I enjoyed the story very much. Even though it was somewhat dated it’s fun to read the source material for the two movies that have been produced. However, like many others have said, the reader was the wrong reader for this he was far too casual. I had to speed up the narration speed just to move it along. It definitely needed a more intense reading. Too bad. It is a good book though lots of tension as it winds up.