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)

My goodness, what a delightful book.

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

Fucking fantastic.

Who was your favorite character and why?

Sorry, not picking one. Liked them all.

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

An amazing range of voices that truly add to the drama and emotional impact of the story. They are so good that you will forget that it's one person doing the reading. Promise.

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

Just when you thought you'd found the ideal apartment, it tries to kill you.

Newbie

This was a wonderful listen with a varied story line with some love, sic-fi and fantasy. The main character is well developed and becomes the leader well before he accepts the challenge of being the leader. Narration by Ray Porter was well read and will look for more.
I am new to Peter Cline, but I am glad I discovered him hoping to find more. Hope you find this audio book as enjoyable as I did.

Classic mystery/horror with a twist

This story has all the hooks, (and suckers, and tentacles), of a classic mystery with a number of surprisingly refreshing characters. A great light read.

Ah, the coattails of Lovecraft

This book describes a supernatural mystery centered on an apartment building in Los Angeles. The POV character is a slacker named Nate who for some reason becomes interested enough in the mysteries of the building to corral his neighbors into a Mystery Gang (Scooby Doo is frequently mentioned) and explore. Dodging building manager Oskar and a scary PI assigned to watch a neighbor with a shady past, Nate and his group of underpaid fellow renters dig up a lot more than they were expecting.

The book is lighthearted in tone, even (unfortunately) when events take a dark turn. Sometimes, I think, the laughs are unintentional. Does anyone in LA still use "bro" when talking to other people? It's a fun ride if you can believe in a magical version of science; the name checking of Tesla and Lovecraft go a long way to setting the scene, and are a sort of apology from the author for ripping off (homaging?) the latter. You also have to believe that a large group of people will act in completely illogical ways if they get curious enough. And you have to not mind that some of these people will die purely to ratchet up tension/human interest. This actually knocked a star off for me: "There is a way that we can save the world, and it is this----" (character gets randomly prevented from saying).

Go in without too many expectations: treat it like a Universal Studios ride, and enjoy.

Gripping, twisting and a surprisingly good read

Would you recommend this audiobook to a friend? If so, why?

Yes. A surprise to the end.

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

He read it well, I like the discipline of being read to. I stops me speed reading the exciting parts.

Stunning!

I can't say I've ever read a book like it. it was engaging from the start, and though you sense something coming you're blown away when it presents itself! I loved it! the narrator nails it, and the author... what can I say other then BRAVO!! definitely a book I'll listen to again and again!

Best Reading Ever!!!

Where does 14 rank among all the audiobooks you’ve listened to so far?

Best read by far... only half n hour in and it was obvious this guy would bring the story alive and give personality and colour to all the characters.

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

best performance I have heard yet. He gives all the characters personality and brings the story alive.

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

yes

Interesting, nicely paced, well developed story

I enjoyed this book but I don't think it is as great as others have made it out to be. Characters are developed well and you start to like them, well all but Andrew, but there is a reason for that which comes clear in the climatic stage of the story. Back story is kept tight and motivations are not overly layered. Nice sic-fi thriller. The action is well described but nothing to 'knock your socks off with'. Ray Porter is an excellent narrator and Peter Clines I think will be writing some great stuff soon. Worth a listen to on a long flight.

Twilight zone on steroids

This extremely creative author of quirky science fiction, and the brilliant narrations of Ray Porter continually move us away from reality as we know it.

Too many others have described the premise of this book, so I will be brief and say, I understand why it was considered the best sci-fi novel on audible for 2012. Should be a sci-fi classic through the ages.

This narrator has great taste!

Anything that Ray Porter chooses to narrate is always great! He’s one of the best.