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)

gripping

We trust the world we live in - that is, until we discover that reality is not so safe and sound as we'd hoped.
This book takes us from normal everyday life, job hunting, and fancying your neighbour - when, wham. There's another world on the doorstep, and the danger is imminent and terrifying.
The plot grabs, the reader's initial scepticism is overcome by the pace and description.
This is certainly well written, the characterisation is excellent, and the narrator is ideal for this storyline.
I recommend an adventurous read.

Kinda silly but kinda fun

It was a fun and intriguing listen while the mystery unraveled. But then it descended into silly, cliched sci-fi writing that was difficult to take seriously. That being said, it was fairly entertaining overall.

Great Character Detailing...Yet Something Missing

Would you say that listening to this book was time well-spent? Why or why not?

I would definitely say so, it's a book that even if it's not extremely entertaining all the way throughout, intrigues and draws you in throughout the story enough to keep you listening.

Any additional comments?

I would say this book is good for a quiet read for people who enjoy characterization. The author does a tremendous job of even developing the ancillary characters into people you can understand. However, my issue is that the plot for it's interest, is at times rather low-key, and while that may work for some people, in the end I would say that it was kind of plodding.

Overall a good read

The book started off really strong and then took a strange turn. I enjoyed listening to it while on walks.

You Never Know When You Are Being Interviewed

This book started slowly for me, and I found it hard to get into that world. I actually put the 'book' down and did not get back to it until several months had gone by. Now that I have finished the book I wish I had not delayed the listening.

You find yourself in a great building with a cheap rent and utilities included. This is in LA so this is a great find. Many tenants are living on minimum wage and just getting by, but they are good, and intelligent. A new tenant comes in and the mystery begins.

This is a sci-fi mystery story. The characters do not have depth, but they have enough story to make you relate to them and their points of view. Each character is given an obvious key role, and all are interesting in their own way.

I would label this as a young adult book not because it wasn't a fun read for this 50 year old but because it was clean. There is a cartoon that is spoken of prominently and in a large way the story fits the analogy very well. If you are looking for a fun book that will motivate your non-reading 13-17 year old child I think this would be a good pick.

The book was a fun read. Part of my enjoyment was based on bringing in historical figures and wrapping them together into this plot in a fairly believable fashion. You will not find the meaning to life, or an angst against the world. It is not fluff exactly, but it is simply a good, fun read.

Who do I think will enjoy this book?

People that love a strange mystery.
People that enjoy a story based on lore.
People looking for something fun in the way Dr. Who, X Files, and Men in Black are fun.

Very engaging

Really enjoyed the writing and overall performance. This one kept me guessing what would happen next every moment. Never expected what was behind door number 14. #audicting #appartment14 #keepguessing #tagsgiving #sweepstakes

Loved it!

I didn’t read much about the plot before listening, so I didn’t know what to expect. I loved Ray Porter’s narration.i think he’s great with dialogue especially. The story was interesting throughout and as the drama builds it stays fresh and fun.

Uniqueness in a spin-off world

I appreciate storylines that offer something different.

I have a lot of respect for a well written novel that reuses some of the same literary tropes we’ve all read before. However, finding that unique story, that “needle in a haystack” if you will is immensely satisfying.

Paired with a narrator who can draw you into the story and lets your imagination run free - these are the stories that Audible was made for.

Don't wait like me - read it now!

Ok, so I’m a little late to the party, but I finally got here right?

14 by Peter Clines has been on the top of Top 10 Books lists (that I see) since it came out a couple years ago. Every time I’m looking for a new science fiction novel to read, it just waves its little hand and says, “Still here, pick me.” No, I’m looking for that “hidden” gem. If everyone likes it, it can’t be that good. Well after two years or so, I guess I can check out what all the fuss is about. Oh…the fuss is that this is a good book. It’s going on my top ten list – just a few years late.

The story starts innocently enough with Nate. He’s a regular guy that can’t find what to do with his life, has a crappy job, and is looking for cheaper rent. Someone recommends to him an older apartment building with too good to believe fixed prices. The place and the tenants seem nice enough at first blush – even if things do feel just a little odd. Well, after seeing that green cockroach, maybe things are more than a little strange. Some of the neighbors have noticed the “quirks” of the building. Nate assembles a small crew to discover what’s going on, but their amateur prying uncovers more than they bargain for.

The sheer genius of this book is its originality. The dialogue at the beginning is a little campy, but it grows on you. Something like – and this is intentional – a Scooby-Doo mystery. The reader wonders what they’ve gotten themselves into, but by the end, feel like they’re part of the gang. I thought at the start that I was getting a straight down the alley haunted house story. What I got in return was maybe the most original plot that I’ve read in the last 100 books or so. Science fiction is crowded with the same conceits: time travel, trans-dimensional travel, first contacts, interplanetary war. How ’bout something new? Now don’t get me wrong, there’s plenty of the familiar in this book; where Peter Clines excels, is that he uses the old ideas with a fresh vision. And I’m thinking he may have the right kind of insight.

There will be no spoilers in this review besides what I’ve already said. (I’m already worried the black vans may pull up any second now.) Just read it. Don’t wait the years to try it. It’s fun. Let me know if it makes your top 10.

Audible listeners: Ray Porter does a good job capturing the characters. The tone starts campy but builds. The narration is solid.

8.5 stars out of 10

Fantastic

This was a book by an author I'd never heard of. I'd heard some hype about it and decided to read some of the reviews. The blurb was interesting and the reviews were intriguing. I picked it up with the companion kindle book rather inexpensively and boy am I glad I did. I didn't want to stop listening. The story itself was engrossing, the building fascinating, and I didn't see where the story was going until I was there. The characters in the different apartments were fun to meet and they were all so different, which in the end was useful. Even the character I didn't particularily like had a reason for being that way. Ray Porter did a very good job narrating. I think this is the first thing of his I've listened to and I would look for him again.