Raven and Skull

By: Ashley Lister

Narrated by: Ashley Lister

Length: 7 hrs and 59 mins

Publisher's summary

Jean-Paul Sartre said, "Hell is other people." But he was only half right. Hell is the other people who work in the offices of Raven and Skull. After a week of horror and upset, six colleagues from the Raven and Skull offices get together in the pub to exchange stories and decide which of them has had the worst week.

Each one has had a week plagued by adultery, theft, betrayal, murder, cannibalism, black magic, and death. The stories they share are dark and twisted and reflect the regular reality of Raven and Skull. Do you dare to hear what they have to say?

From the book: “Tell us about a time you nearly died, Tony.” Heather’s suggestion was greeted by a barrage of laughter. There were half a dozen of them sitting around the table - the last souls left in an otherwise empty bar. Drained beer bottles and lipstick-smudged glasses stood between them like abstract monuments to the memories of good times gone. The darkness outside the bar window was fading to the apocalyptic grey of another dawn.

Tony glanced at his five colleagues and flashed an automatic grin. He hadn’t yet drunk enough beer to be light-headed, but he could feel the mood around the table was shifting. The evening had started as an early weekend escape from the offices of Raven and Skull; a two fingered salute to the workplace in the time-honored tradition of every godforsaken Friday.

After a grim week working nine-to-five - a grimmer week than any of them were used to suffering - Geoff’s idea that they should get pissed and have a laugh together had seemed like a stroke of pure genius. But now, whilst the maudlin veil of melancholy felt like it was finally lifting, Tony thought it was revealing something strange, unpleasant, and potentially dangerous. It was no surprise that they were talking about death. Given the events of the previous week it would have been more surprising if that topic hadn’t come up.

©2016 Ashley Lister (P)2021 Ashley Lister

Horror Extraordinaire

This audiobook had several bone chilling elements and it kept me on the edge of my seat from moment to moment. A group of office workers get together and exchange stories of events happening either at the office or in the lives of the office workers. Each story was appalling and horrendous. I was amazed at how the author wove all the different stories into one cohesive whole by the end. Ashley Lister's narration was memorable as the story's ambiance was maintained throughout the audiobook. I was given a free copy of the audiobook, and I have voluntarily posted this review.

Very satisfying

A wonderfully crafted set of interlocking short stories. Each stands well on its own but they build together. The last story felt rushed and garbles the interlocking narratives slightly. Yet on the whole it is worth a listen for any fan of dark themes, occult magics, and office drudgery.