• The Book of Riley

  • A Zombie Tale
  • By: Mark Tufo
  • Narrated by: Sean Runnette
  • Length: 2 hrs and 58 mins
  • 4.7 out of 5 stars (1,204 ratings)

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The Book of Riley  By  cover art

The Book of Riley

By: Mark Tufo
Narrated by: Sean Runnette
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Publisher's summary

When the zombie apocalypse strikes without warning one dog will hold the fate of her pack in her paws. This is the story of Riley, an American bulldog. Follow along as she tries to keep her pack safe from a zombie apocalypse. Traveling with her are Ben-Ben the high-strung Yorkie; her favorite two-legger, Jessie; Jessie's younger brother, Zachary; and Riley's archenemy, Patches the cat. They are a rag-tag group of survivors, who, when pushed to the limit, realize that they are all each other has.

©2012 Mark Tufo (P)2013 Tantor

Critic reviews

Fans of horror fiction laced with laughs are likely to be tickled by this droll audio edition that kicks off Tufo’s new series centering on the eponymous canine. To realize the author’s concept—seeing the zombie apocalypse through the eyes of an American Bulldog—narrator Sean Runnette (who performed Tufo’s equally funny Zombie Fallout series) needs to pull off a plausible first-animal narration. He does this and more—convincingly voicing a terrier and a cat, as well as various humans. And listeners won’t find it difficult to differentiate Ben-Ben, the “little pain in the ass Yorkshire Terrier,” from Riley. The story wastes no time rolling up its gory sleeves and getting into the action—and Runnette ably transitions from humorous canine antics to savagery (e.g., when Riley rips the face off a family friend turned zombie), successfully blending horror and humor. ( Publisher’s Weekly)

What listeners say about The Book of Riley

Average customer ratings
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  • Overall
    4 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
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    4 out of 5 stars

Sneaky way to make more money

Don't get me wrong, I love the combination of Tufo and Runette, they are up there with my favorite pairings and I have read nearly everything Tufo has done but the Riley series has me a bit angry. Basically, he took a book and chopped it into four segments and is charging $10 or 1 credit each. I'm not sure if there are many 12 hour books worth $40 or 4 credits out there no matter how entertaining it is. Mark Tufo you should be ashamed of yourself for such a blatant scheme. I think I'm done after #2, it is just too distasteful for me.

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25 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    3 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
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    3 out of 5 stars

Good book, but too short

Like other Mark Tufo books, this one does not disappoint in what is there. Problem is the story is written in chapter book style, so this one just gets going and it ends. There are a total of 4 books in the series and I believe only 2 of them are on audible. It is hard to swallow using 1 credit for 1/4 of a book. I picked this one up with $10 credit I earned for buy 4 books in a month, so no lose on that end. Still undecided if I will continue, because the story was good, but expensive to listen to. All 4 should be offered as one credit (when and if they are done)

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22 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

DOGS, A CAT AND ZOMBIES. WHAT ELSE COULD YOU WANT?

Where does The Book of Riley rank among all the audiobooks you’ve listened to so far?

The Book of Riley and it's creator Mark Tufo are in a category all of their own. I have read,or should I say listened to, everything Mr. Tufo has written and he never fails to surprise, but most of all, he never fails to make me laugh. Yes I have a bit of a sick sense of humor but, when you think about things really if you don't laugh your life is a lot darker.I believe my cats (as much as they are maligned in other's worlds hint hint) are intelligent and probably would talk too if I should write a series of stories imagining them rescuing their humans from a sudden zombie apocyliptic world ending horror. To put it easy The Book of Riley 1 and The Book of Riley 2 are entertainment in it's purest form. Mark Tufo is a brilliant author with an imagination and a wild sense of humor. Look him up, and simply ENJOY.

What did you like best about this story?

Cats can count higher than dogs. YEAH!!!!Laughed out loud when Santa had to kill those weird end of the world believing neighbors.

Which character – as performed by Sean Runnette – was your favorite?

Patches, the cat, of course. Although I have to laugh whenever the subject of dogs and bacon comes up. Also, Santa will never be the same now that I have heard him described through BenBen's eyes.

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

I was moved to tears of laughter when two dogs, one cat, and an infant found out they could all talk to each other.

Any additional comments?

These two Books' of Riley are fun, enjoyable and at times a down right riot. ENJOY

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10 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

Zombie Apocalypse from the POV of a Dog

Please find this complete review and many others at audiobookreviewer dot com

I have actually wondered about how the animal companions of the people trying to survive the zombie apocalypse survive or what the zombies think of such creatures. Tufo delivers a unique take on what some might say and overcrowded genre. This story is told from the point of view of a American Bulldog with a companion Yorkshire Terrier, reminds me of the old Bug Bunny cartoons with the big bull dog walking down the street with the much smaller dog running circles around him desperately wanting approval. They have also befriended an unlikely creature, a cat. The dialog between the three animals was enough to make me choke on my breakfast it was so hilarious. I really appreciated Tufo’s translation of the items in the world from a dog’s point of view, stinging metal bees, wet meat, viewing holes, two leggers, ect. In his typical fashion Tufo has the Talbot family get mentioned, I can’t think of a non Talbot story were they are not mentioned. If you are looking for something a bit different, but with all the gore you expect from a zombie story and twisted humor, you must listen to The Book of Riley: A Zombie Tale.

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6 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars

I barked out loud

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

I would, this is a very clever book written so well from the view of a dog that I laughed (barked) loudly at many parts. Each character is well developed

What did you like best about this story?

Benben, so innocent, the distrust of Riley and Patches is very good

Which scene was your favorite?

Benben been diving into the fray going missing then his return
Or his loose bladder at the worst moments

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

Spoiler if I explain it.

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6 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars

This was a great book! Tufo RULES!

Would you consider the audio edition of The Book of Riley to be better than the print version?

Mark Tufo is the new Jedi master of Zombie book authors. Sean Runnette brings the characters to life with his acting out.

Who was your favorite character and why?

Riley

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6 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

Homeward Bound meets The Walking Dead

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

Yes Yes Yes!!! One of the best audiobooks I've read in a long time... dare I say - ever.
It's funny and scary and heartwarming with just the proper amount of gore. This book has everything. If you're a pet lover, you MUST get this book. If you're not a pet lover, you MUST get this book.

What was one of the most memorable moments of The Book of Riley?

When BenBen stood with Riley to fight off the zombies. I was cheering all the way! BenBen is a brave little bitty guy.

Which character – as performed by Sean Runnette – was your favorite?

Patches. He does a wonderfully condescending interpretation of her voice.

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

Yes!! I actually sat in my car in the driveway because I couldn't turn it off.

Any additional comments?

Just ordered part 2 and 3... can't wait!

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5 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

Mark Tufo delivers again

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

I love the insight that he gives into the minds of our pets and it's very believable.

What was one of the most memorable moments of The Book of Riley?

The sadness of how it ended was memorable for sure.

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

He does a terrific job with voices and character. I always forget that he is a single person reading and interpreting these characters. Great work indeed across all the Mark Tufo titles.

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

Yes

Any additional comments?

Keep em coming!

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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars

I like Zombie books and I like Dog adventures....

If you could sum up The Book of Riley in three words, what would they be?

A smart "dogs eye view" of the zombie apocalypse.

Who was your favorite character and why?

Riley of course, who wouldn't like her!

What about Sean Runnette’s performance did you like?

He is the narrator of the Zombie apocalypse in my mind forever now.

Did you have an extreme reaction to this book? Did it make you laugh or cry?

No, but I have read Mark Tufo's other books, so I'm a bit desensitized lol.

Any additional comments?

Wish it were longer...

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5 people found this helpful

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    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars

Zombies from a whole different view

I love everything Mark Tufo writes, The Book of Riley is no exception. This is an awesome story . Get the series, it's worth the credits.

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4 people found this helpful