The Cypress House

By: Michael Koryta

Narrated by: Robert Petkoff

Length: 11 hrs and 51 mins

Publisher's summary

A journey to Florida's coast becomes an inescapable nightmare in this supernatural thriller from international bestselling author Michael Koryta.

Arlen Wagner has seen it in men before: a trace of smoke in their eyes that promises imminent death. He is never wrong.

When Arlen awakens on a train one hot Florida night and sees death's telltale sign in the eyes of his fellow passengers, he tries to warn them. Only 19-year-old Paul Brickhill believes him, and the two abandon the train, hoping to escape certain death. They continue south, but soon are stranded at the Cypress House—an isolated Gulf Coast boarding house run by the beautiful Rebecca Cady—directly in the path of an approaching hurricane.

The storm isn't the only approaching danger, though. A much deadlier force controls the county and everyone living in it, and Arlen wants out—fast. But Paul refuses to abandon Rebecca to face the threats alone, even though Arlen's eerie gift warns that if they stay too long they may never leave. From its chilling beginning to terrifying end, The Cypress House is a story of relentless suspense from "one of the best of the best" (Michael Connelly).

©2011 Michael Koryta (P)2011 Hachette Audio

Critic reviews

"Michael Koryta is one of our new dynamos in the world of books, and in The Cypress House he spreads his range, wedding suspense with the supernatural in the eeriness of 1930s Florida. He uses the psychology of place to penetrate the human heart and delivers his tale of hurricanes and love and hauntings with great narrative force. Koryta's becoming a wonder we'll appreciate for a long time."—Daniel Woodrell, author of Winter's Bone

"The Cypress House is a dazzling blend of suspense, the supernatural, and superb storytelling. What a gifted writer. Michael Koryta is the real deal."—Ron Rash, author of Serena

"Koryta's masterful follow-up to So Cold the River effectively combines supernatural terror with the suffocating fatalism of classic American noir....Koryta excels at describing both scenery and his characters' inner landscapes. It's hard to think of another book with equal appeal to Stephen King and Cornell Woolrich fans."—Publishers Weekly

very good

this is my second book from this author. He writes an excellent and engaging story. I highly recommend this book.

Good book with annoying sound effects

While I enjoyed the book, I dislike the use of sound effects. This audiobook often inserts creepy music whenever something supernatural is occurring. Let the words the author wrote tell the tale.

Suspense

So exciting that I read it all at once. The story of Florida people during the depression of the 1930s and how they deal with an oppressive county government. One of them can see into death and the author effectively incorporates that into the story. Th exciting and surprise conclusion lasts for 1-2 hours-prolonging the suspense. Kortya--ya dun gud!

Suspenseful, Thrilling, and a Good Read

Sometimes you cannot avoid what has been prophesied no matter what you do. Michael Koryta weaves story within a story with fitness. Each character is well defined and integrated into the story.

Excellent

Lots of personal growth with just the right amount of special effects. Captivating all the way through.

Loved it!!

Very nice book, I loved the charaters. It was written very well with bring past experiences into present and yet not leaving me confused. I would love to read another involving these charaters!!

Great Ride!

This was a top notch thriller with a touch of the supernatural that added a bit of spookiness, yet did not ruin the effect of the story. The pacing kept us moving forward, the characters were complex enough to believe in and the climax was tense, keeping me on the edge of my seat. The reader was very good, giving distinct voices to each character although he did struggle with the female voices a bit. This was my first book by this author, but I will certainly check out other titles.

A Good Novel

What made the experience of listening to The Cypress House the most enjoyable?

A great thriller! The performance was well done. Well paced and conveying the intent of the writer.

Any additional comments?

Don't start this book at bedtime, unless you want to have a few nightmares.

Brilliant! Epic! Don’t miss this one!

I was leery at first and almost gave up and am glad I didn’t. I don’t usually go for early century books, but {{{{surprise}}}} this one was a welcome change for me. This is my second book by author Michael Koryka, after discovering “The Ridge,” another mystical and unusual thriller. Petkoff is one of my favorites and I have several audiobooks narrated by him. This is well worth a credit and I look forward to more by this extraordinary duo. Highly recommended. Epic I say, EPIC!

Not my cup of tea. Predictable.

I know a lot of people liked this book so maybe it's just not my cup of tea. Too macho. Too predictable. Too beautiful people.