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The Ruins

By: Scott Smith
Narrated by: Patrick Wilson
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Publisher's summary

Eerie, terrifying, and unputdownable, The Ruins is Scott Smith's first novel since his acclaimed debut A Simple Plan earned rave reviews and stormed best seller lists.

The Ruins follows two American couples enjoying a pleasant, lazy beach holiday together in Mexico. On an impulse, they go off with newfound friends in search of one of their group, the young German who, in pursuit of a girl, has headed for the remote Mayan ruins, site of a fabled archeological dig.

This is what happens from the moment the searchers, moving into the wild interior, begin to suspect that there is an insidious, horrific "other" among them.

©2006 Scott Smith. All rights reserved (P)2006 Simon & Schuster Inc. All rights reserved.

Critic reviews

"A stunning horror thriller." (Publishers Weekly
"The book of the summer....Smith intends to scare the bejabbers out of you, and succeeds." (Stephen King)
"If you love ABC's Lost and the novels of King and Thomas Harris, you'll love this book." (USA Today)

What listeners say about The Ruins

Average customer ratings
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Still liked it

I read this book when I was about 15. I remember reading it one weekend all the way through. And I liked it, how raw it was. No happy ending, even bought the movie they made based off the book. But after losing it, I’m glad I was able to have it read to me. Makes it seem like you’re really there with the characters.

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    4 out of 5 stars
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    4 out of 5 stars

Entertaining but depressing ending.

Overall it's a good book although it's very sad and gruesome. Audio was great though.

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    3 out of 5 stars
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    3 out of 5 stars

A mixed bag of genuine horror & stupidity.

The Ruins is a mixed bag for me..I thought it was scary as it was dumb. Lots of shocking & exciting moments, and the relentless terror is coherent front to back, but both the characters & plot are pretty bad. The narrator's voice is pleasant enough but it's very monotone, even when detailing more suspenseful things...and all the characters' dialogue sounds the same. The whole time. Wee.
BUT I'd be lying if I said the book didn't succeed in doing what it was set out to do: to scare me. If you're here only for the horror, you'll have a fun time.

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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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Great read!

I loved this book. It kept me hooked the whole time waiting to see the fate of the characters.

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  • Overall
    3 out of 5 stars

Fun read

This is fun to read - just when you think things can't get any worse, there comes another topper. The doomed, hapless gringos inexorably stumble to their perdition. A surprise at every turn.

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    3 out of 5 stars
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    4 out of 5 stars

Escape room meets nature

I wish the plot moved beyond the dwellings we’re forced into. Also the characters were pretty trope-cliche.

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Great naration

Nice narration although some places the story was dragged with too. Sometimes characters were annoying but I think that was the writer’s intentions. Overall good experience . Will look to read more from the writer.

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Great listen!

Like other reviews I read dialogue in the beginning was not my favorite but by chapter 6 I was enjoying the story more and more as it went on. Really glad I finished this one!

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Well written

I liked the book it was well written. The characters always asking why? After someone would say something in order for the writer to advance the plot grew old but it was really good

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    5 out of 5 stars
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Loved it

I was not expecting this book to be what it was. I felt like I was there! Deff recommend!!!

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