14

By: Peter Clines

Narrated by: Ray Porter

Length: 12 hrs and 34 mins

Publisher's summary

Audie Award Nominee, Science Fiction, 2013

Padlocked doors. Strange light fixtures. Mutant cockroaches.

There are some odd things about Nate’s new apartment. Of course, he has other things on his mind. He hates his job. He has no money in the bank. No girlfriend. No plans for the future. So while his new home isn’t perfect, it’s livable. The rent is low, the property managers are friendly, and the odd little mysteries don’t nag at him too much. At least, not until he meets Mandy, his neighbor across the hall, and notices something unusual about her apartment. And Xela’s apartment. And Tim’s. And Veek’s. Because every room in this old Los Angeles brownstone has a mystery or two. Mysteries that stretch back over a hundred years. Some of them are in plain sight. Some are behind locked doors. And all together these mysteries could mean the end of Nate and his friends. Or the end of everything....

©2012 Peter Clines and Permuted Press (P)2012 Audible, Inc.

Critic reviews

"A riveting apocalyptic mystery in the style of LOST." (Craig DiLouie, author of The Infection and The Killing Floor)

"A wholly original story that weaves together mystery and the apocalypse like a finely tuned band." (Evan Roy, Bricks of the Dead)

Awesome book until the last 3 hours

I was ready to forward this book to all my friends, because I loved the first 3/4 of the book so much. Then… it got stupid. It was chaotic, disjointed, poorly developed, and eye rolling for the last fourth of the book. Couldn’t wait for it to end. Literally the last 2 to 3 hours was a slog to finish.

Fun and action packed story

We’re led through a series of mysteries, each more fantastic than the last, ending with the forehead-slapping revelation that… well, I’ll let you read it for yourself. Lots of fun all the way through.

I *NEVER* listen to an audiobook twice!

Never. Until this one. I ADORE this book. It is very reminiscent of Stephen King’s writing style, where a group of quirky people come together in some surreal/supernatural setting or series of events.

Oftentimes, you may struggle to believe the premise, or suspend belief is probably more accurate, but you never fail to fall in love with the characters and come to think of them as friends. Oh, that was corny, lemme put it this way: these are people you wish you could hang out with as friends in real life.

What you WILL fall in love with is this little gem of science fiction. Well no, it’s more of a mystery in a sci-fi setting. And a buddy movie. A tender coming of age story set in The Dustbowl? It’s a lot of things all at once - I don’t know, I’m not a writer, I just listen to ‘em every night before I fall asleep!!

Also...(ahem!), the narrator is incredibly talented, gifted, I swear to God it sounds like you’re listening to a whole roomful of actors, some undeniably females from other countries. If reading audiobooks were an Olympic event (alas, it’s still a demonstration sport), Ray Porter would be standing up there on the podium, right next to R. C. Bray (but I’ll leave the order up to you so you can wrestle it out amongst yourselves)!

It even manages to be inoffensive towards women, at least as far as I can tell - as, last I checked, I am a man. There is nothing not to like about this wonderful production, it even has a satisfying ending, stopping short of the dreaded “Frank Copra’s Hollywood” ending. Go on and buy it now and stop wasting all night perusing titles! I will personally refund your money if you aren’t 100% satisfied and smiling, or my name isn’t (name withheld upon my own request)...

Once in a decade read

An exciting and imaginative adventure that will creep you out as keep you turning pages. Give this book a listen, it doesn’t disappoint.

Great book

This was my first Peter Clines book. Loved the characters in the story was very interesting.

Fun!

I think Ray Porter could read a menu and make it exciting. This was just fun to listen to even if you knew what was going to happen next most of the time. I say go for it.

First Peter Clines

Ray Porters performance was strong. Very entertaining.
The story had me engaged until the ending. I enjoy Lovecraft stories. I also enjoy stories about Tesla. The ending just kinda drifted off.

Ray Porter is the best

Good story. Went somewhere I wasn’t expecting. Was very vague on any details but was very conversationally good, which made it funny and realistic(ish). Ray Porter could save any audio book. Best narrator, hands down.

such a fun listen!

I loved this story! The characters are great and the dialog fantastic. I could see each of them and like them all immediately. The narrator is fantastic and nailed each characters voice and personality. It's a fun story with great twists and turns. I really didn't want it to end.

didn't like the ending

Book was great until the end. I felt the story was a bit rushed and perdictable.