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)

This was fun!

I'm usually all about character development, and complex myths and all that. This story was just plain fun. There's plenty of "fan service" in here to tickle the true sci-fi geek, but to tell you any of the Easter eggs would spoil the fun.

Go ahead, give this a try. It's like popcorn for the brain!

Cool Mystery With A Strong Start, Weak Ending

I thoroughly enjoyed the first 3/4 of this book. There are a wide variety of characters who are both likable and believable. The narrator did a great job with all of the voices. I liked how the main character and Veek were obsessed with finding out what was wrong with their apartment.

I was disappointed with the ending though. I can't say too much without giving it away. I just think the book was more fun when they were searching for the answers. Unfortunately when the found the answers, it just didn't live up to the hype.

A great mystery marred by a few problems.

I really enjoyed the first two thirds of this book. Ray porter does a fine job of reading and I enjoyed his performance.
The mystery behind the new building the main character moves into is fun and moves along at a brisk pace. I really only have two problems with this book.
Character development: Peter Clines introduces a character early in the book. She seems like she's going to be a main character, as the chapter starts out from her perspective. After that chapter, we never hear from her again, and she's only mentioned in passing. It's like he didn't know what to do with her. This is a minor gripe.

My biggest complaint contains a spoiler, so...

Spoiler Alert Ahead!

Very soon into the book, you'll realize Peter Clines is writing an homage to H. P. Lovecraft. I almost don't consider this a spoiler, as it's pretty obvious.
My problem is with how he handles the material. Lovecraft's work is heavy with dread, and the unimaginable. Characters often go insane when confronted by creatures from another reality.
Instead, when the main characters are transported to another dimension inhabited by "The deep ones," it contains none of the tones associated with Lovecraft. One of the caracters describes a Cthulu like monster as a cross between a squid and a whale. From there on out, the characters refer to the monster as a squale.
What should have been horrifying and unsettling becomes routine and kind of silly.
Stephan King handled this type of homage much better in his book "revival". If Clines couldn't do Lovecraft justice, than he should have come up with something of his own.

My Head Lit up with the Joys of Eldritch Horror!

I'll REALLY try not to give spoilers...

This is great! Not deep, but it's fun, fast and twisty. We're talking a mystery that combines pop-culture icons, steampunk, nods to some of the greatest horror written and ties it all together into something entirely new. You'll like the characters, you'll probably see the twists coming (and say "YES!" out loud when they hit) and laugh your ass off at parts of the story where you probably shouldn't.

Hell, there's even some Office Space in here, for good measure.

Unless your sense of humor and sense of mystery left you at some point you will love this book. Get it. Get it now.

Do it. Do it or The Family will come to get you.

Great Book

Any additional comments?

Good story and Narration, all the other reveiws are correct. Looking forward to the next book.

Straight to the top of my favourite books list

Stunning work by both the author and narrator. This was a joy from beginning to end. Fantastic characters, plot and narration. Torchwood / Doctor Who fans will love this.

Amazing Story

What made the experience of listening to 14 the most enjoyable?

Everytime they dropped a great "plot bomb", another great one soon followed!

What was one of the most memorable moments of 14?

Spoiler - When the door opened into space.

Which character – as performed by Ray Porter – was your favorite?

The main male one - forgot his name

If you were to make a film of this book, what would be the tag line be?

14 - moving in is only the beginning!

Any additional comments?

I needed a good sci-fy read and this "hit the spot."

Must have

What did you love best about 14?

Just keeps you waiting!

What other book might you compare 14 to and why?

I can't think of one just now.

What does Ray Porter bring to the story that you wouldn’t experience if you just read the book?

excitement

Was there a moment in the book that particularly moved you?

The was everyone pulled together to bring the door closed.

Any additional comments?

If you don't have it get it.

Awesome!!! Such a great read and excellent narration!

The story was intriguing and I didn't want it to end! The characters were well developed. The narration was fabulous!! I wish I could listen to it again for the 1st time!

Surprisingly great

If you could sum up 14 in three words, what would they be?

Not cookie cutter characters

Who was your favorite character and why?

All the characters were great because I had never met them before.

What about Ray Porter’s performance did you like?

He could read the line so that it was funnier than it was written

Was this a book you wanted to listen to all in one sitting?

No I wanted to savor it

Any additional comments?

I would never had picked this book, It was a lucky pick for me.I am not into scifi at all but it was so well written and had humor.