The Ridge

By: Michael Koryta

Narrated by: Robert Petkoff

Length: 10 hrs and 19 mins

Publisher's summary

In an isolated stretch of Eastern Kentucky, on a hilltop known as Blade Ridge, stands a lighthouse that illuminates nothing but the surrounding woods. For years the lighthouse has been considered no more than an eccentric local landmark - until its builder is found dead at the top of the light, and his belongings reveal a troubling local history.

For Deputy Sheriff Kevin Kimble, the lighthouse-keeper's death is disturbing and personal. Years ago Kimble was shot while on duty. Somehow the death suggests a connection between the lighthouse and the most terrifying moment of his life.

Audrey Clark is in the midst of moving her large-cat sanctuary onto land adjacent to the lighthouse. Sixty-seven tigers, lions, and leopards and one legendary black panther are about to have a new home there. Her husband, the sanctuary's founder, died scouting the new property, and Audrey is determined to see his vision through.

As strange occurrences multiply at the Ridge, the animals grow ever more restless, and Kimble and Audrey try to understand what evil forces are moving through this ancient landscape, just past the divide between dark and light.

The Ridge is the new thriller from international best seller Michael Koryta, further evidence of why Dean Koontz has said "Michael Koryta's work resonates into deeper strata than does most of what I read" and why Michael Connelly has named him "one of the best of the best."

©2011 Michael Koryta (P)2011 Hachette

The perfect ghost story

This is the first book I listened to by Michael Koryta. To be honest I only previewed this book because Robert Petkoff did the narration. I enjoy the way he helps to bring the characters to life with his different voices. I will certainly be checking out other works of Micheal Koryta - this one was exciting, frightening, suspenseful and overall a great story.

Disappointed. Boring....yawn, yawn, snore, snore...😴😴😴

This book started out well and I was really looking forward to a good story. The story was okay, but there were lots of boring parts, long descriptions going on and on about secondary (or not even) characters that were somewhat irrelevant and I completely did not care about. There were redeeming aspects, such as the story line about the big cats which was good and did hold my interest. However, it was somewhat of a struggle to get through and, while I did listen to the end, I believe listening should be enjoyable and not a struggle. Therefore, I would not recommend this book, would mark it as more or less a waste of time, would certainly not listen to it again, and most likely would not seek out other books by this author.

Well Done! Very much enjoyed this story!

Colorful characters and excellent ghost story and more. He writes the emotional struggle well, describes it well and I love the cats!

surprisingly good!

i was a bit bored at first..then i could not stop listening....happy i purchased it

Loved this book

I had never read any of Michael Koryta's books before and thought I'd give this a try - I was not disappointed. It took me an hour or so to get into it, but once I was in I was totally hooked. It was well written, well read and kept me guessing right down to about the last half hour. I'm going to download some more of his books!

Review of The Ridge

WOW. Great book. I was on the edge of my seat throughout the read. Very hard to put down. Don’t pass this book up.

Don’t Fear The Reaper

This is one of the most intense books. It’s unique in that it’s not so much horror as it is supernatural mixed with it. I loved that it had all kinds of big wild cats in it. It starts out with Audrey moving her big cat reserve. Unfortunately, the cats don’t like the new home. It’s in Kentucky and there’s a local resident who lives beside the new place in a lighthouse he built. He stays drunk most days and has really bright lights on the lighthouse. It all starts when he calls the sheriff asking had he rather work a homicide or a suicide. When the guy is found, he has committed suicide. But there are strange occurrences that surround it. Pictures on the wall of certain people and different clues. And a deputy who wrecks and is unscathed when he should be dead. All of this is met with a man with a bright torch. I know I probably don’t make a lot of sense but I don’t want to spoil anything. I’ve always liked horror but in my older years I get too scared lol. This wasn’t as bad, just spooky and keeping me out of the woods. The only reason I gave it 4 Stars and not 5 is because of the ending. I understand it’s the only plausible explanation but still I was so upset! In a sad way. But it didn’t ruin the story.

If you happen to like audiobooks, this one was amazing. This is one of the best narrators I’ve ever listened to!

I liked it

I really liked the story but not the sound effects/music. I can tell without suspenseful music that I'm in a suspenseful part of a book.

Thrilling and Unpredictable

I love a story that holds me hostage! A captivating story with plenty of elements I’ve never read in another book. What a great find!

Masterful storytelling

Ever since I read The Cypress House, I have been enjoying Koryta's books. This was by far the best of the bunch that I have downloaded. The story line is the strongest and most compelling, with Kimball now rating as my favorite of his heros (I have not read any of the Lincoln Perry books yet, only the stand-alone titles). He has conveyed a vivid sense of place and atmospere that allowed me to visualize the setting as well as the characters. The cats are a marvelous part of the whole. I tried predicting what turns the story would take, and although I never really had the outcome fully figured out, it wasn't because the author played unfair tricks - he just had better ideas. The last hour of the book had me mesmerized. I will say that if you just do not enjoy stories with a strong element of the supernatural, this may not be for you. I don't actively seek out ghost stories, but Koryta's ability to make you buy into the existence of other-worldly beings is masterful.
The reading by Robert Petkoff was excellent. This book was a real treat and highly recommended.