Pines

One word, 2 letters. WOW! This offering from Blake Crouch and narrated exquistely by Paul Garci, is a winner, and moves to my all time best list.

The plot twists, the choices the characters need to make, the challenges and nuances, are all there, with occasional gore and violence, but nothing gratuitous, at least in my estimation.

Granted, there is some, if not a lot, of belief suspension required to complete the story line, but once you have digested this, the story plot does clarify, and the resolution does promote thought and consideration at the the end.

I recommend this book to fantasy, sci fi and mystery readers most highly.

Yes I would recommend this book. I love the Twilight Zone, Outer Limits, and The Dark Side television shows and this book combined with a little horror mimicked the style of these series. I could not stop listening and found excuses to continue listening. Horror for the sake of horror becomes boring but mix in a little mind twist, a dash of Sci Fi, and "I did not see that coming" and horror becomes the "PINES".

The chase!

OH YES!!!!

Worth the credit.

This was a very interesting and fast paced story. It has a solid plot and fairly well done characters and stays pretty riveting throughout. The ending is a surprise, and ties everything together in a way that makes for a really unique idea. The reader does a great job too. I wonder about its classification- it is listed as mystery/thriller. It does have that - there is mystery and at times it is thrilling. However, I would have classed it as science fiction since I think that was the most dominant genre- that and a touch of horror.

One small complaint though, and this may stem from the genre the writer is trying to produce for - I think it would have been a stronger book without all the torture. I know that is popular and some peole are drawn to it - whole films have been made in recent years that revolve entirely around people being tortured in various ways. It isn't that I am too squeemish or uptight for it, though I do find it uncomfortable at times. More so I just don't find it particularly creative or interesting - ask anyone you know to think of the most horrible ways to hurt and kill someone. Everyone will quickly have lots of ideas. Particularly with a story as strong as this one, with so much that makes it interesting, and so much tension and mystery, I thought this was a major distraction at times. There were points at which clearly it made sense as it was integrated into the story and necessary, but for large portions I thought it served no real purpose and was far more detailed than it needed to be and found myself waiting for those bits to end so we could get back to the good stuff.

Also, it seems like it would have been more interesting if the antagonists had ways of interacting with the hero and with the good guys in ways that didn't always have torture as the main defining interaction - if the " I will now torture and kill you in horrible ways" wasn't the main motivation at all times... It seems a constant threat and, in the end, when we find out what has gone on, what this was all about, it particularly doesn't seem in keeping with the purpose behind the story. I can't give examples without giving spoilers so will leave it at that... As I said, I know it is popular among some audiences, but I really think this author is solid and creative enough to write a really great story without all that - or at least without it factoring so large in the book.

So those of you like me, who are not interested by that, and those of you that really hate that stuff have been warned. However, as I said, there is a lot going for this story and I found it very entertaining and was eager to find out what would happen and what all this was about... So overall, I think it is a pretty good experience and would recommend it.

Amnesia? PSTD? Mental illness? Head injury? Cryogenics? None of the above? This book kept me guessing all the way until the last 30 minutes! An enjoyable read about what some say are not such improbable consequences of our modern way of life. The narration was soothing and perfectly paced. . . great story and great narration.

Pines by Blake Crouch is not like any book I have every experienced. It keeps you on the edge. So many twists, i didn't want to put it down. Just when I thought I figured it out, the story goes in a different direction and the end caught me completely off guard.

Would definitely recommend this story! Any book that can keep me guessing - wondering how in the world it could possibly all come together - is one that I like! I've never listened to anything by the author and am now on my way to buying a few more. His style of writing is excellent - not a bunch of fluff and filler. And the ending - you'll be so surprised!

Wouldn't know

Kept getting kicked back

Burke

What lengths to hide a town?

Wow! This novel really had me going. I was so angry at one point I put the novel down (overnight). I was completely taken in and I usually work everything out.

Just finished one heck of a ride. I do not want to describe the plot for fear of disclosing too much. It is THAT kind of story. Plenty of twists and turns and a big bang ending. You will not want to stop listening. The story grabs you and does not let go. Great performance and great story. I really hope there is a sequel.

In the same tradition of a Twilight Zone meets X-Files story, secret service agent Ethan Burke goes to Wayward Pines, Idaho, his mission is to locate and recover two federal agents who went missing.

He wakes up next to a stream, in a black suit and white shirt speckled with blood stains. No wallet. No money. No ID. No keys. No phone. That's all I'll say, don't want to spoil the story.

On every page, I kept trying to guess what would happen next, to no avail, and then the ending completely blew my mind!

Blake's vivid descriptions, constant action, thrills, mystery and intrigue, reminded me of my favorite books by Stephen King and Dean Koontz.

Intense and gripping, Pines is a masterpiece that had me thinking about the story, long after turning the last page.

I read this book on Kindle and enjoyed it so much I wanted to get the Audio version to pass the time while on the road. LOVED the narration of Paul Michael Garcia, it was perfect and made the book even more enjoyable. Brilliant!

Real surprise endiing

You didn't even have a clue what was going on until pretty far in the story. It was fun to discover clues along with the main character.

Easir to listen than to read sometimes.

What's really going on?