Hemlock Grove

or, The Wise Wolf

By: Brian McGreevy

Narrated by: Sean Runnette

A charismatic young writer reinvents the gothic novel, bringing a fresh energy to our darkest myths and deepest horrors in an expectation-defying tale of adolescent deception, ravenous violence, and rumors of werewolves.

The body of a young girl is found mangled and murdered in the woods of Hemlock Grove, Pennsylvania, in the shadow of the abandoned Godfrey Steel Mill. A manhunt ensues - though the authorities aren’t sure if it's a man they should be looking for.

Some suspect an escapee from the White Tower, a foreboding biotech facility owned by the Godfrey family, where some suspect that biological experiments of the most unethical kind take place. Others turn to Peter Rumancek, a Gypsy trailer-trash kid who has told impressionable high-school classmates that he’s a werewolf. Or perhaps it’s Roman, the son of the late JR Godfrey, who rules the adolescent social scene with the casual arrogance of a cold-blooded aristocrat, his superior status unquestioned - despite his decidedly freakish sister, Shelley, whose monstrous medical conditions belie a sweet intelligence, and his otherworldly, sexy control-freak of a mother, Olivia.

As the crime goes unsolved and the police seem more and more willing to believe any outlandish rumor, Peter and Roman decide the only way to save their own skins is to find the killer themselves. Along the way they uncover local secrets and designs that are much bigger than some small-town murder.

Hemlock Grove is an exhilarating reinvention of the gothic novel, inspired by the iconic characters of our greatest myths and nightmares. At once a riveting mystery and a fascinating revelation of the grotesque and darkness within, Hemlock Grove has the architecture and energy to become a classic in its own right - and Brian McGreevy, the talent and ambition to enthrall us for years to come.

Brian McGreevy grew up near Pittsburgh and received his MFA from the Michener Center for Writers at the University of Texas. Now a screenwriter who has had two screenplays featured on the best of the year Black List, he is working on an adaptation of Dracula for Leonardo DiCaprio’s production company. He lives in Los Angeles.

©2012 Brian McGreevy (P)2012 Blackstone Audio, Inc.

Critic reviews

“A rare stroke of genius…. Like a collaboration between Edgar Allan Poe and J. D. Salinger, this is a real emerging talent.” (Philipp Meyer)

“McGreevy cleverly contemporizes the gothic novel, underlining the isolations of modern-day technology and adolescence.” ( Publishers Weekly)

it good when you go swimming

the fins of a southern gossamere float by and the book read by a person that is full of lantana and tulips

Better than the Netflix Series

Would you consider the audio edition of Hemlock Grove to be better than the print version?

I think I found the Audio version easier to follow than the print version.

What about Sean Runnette’s performance did you like?

He brought full life to all of his characters and gave both Roman and Peter their own distinctive voices.

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

The interaction between Shelly and Dr. Price.

Great listen.

I especially liked the narrator and have purchased other titles he has read. The story was good and entertaining. It goes along almost verbatim with the Netflix series of the same name. This title did not disappoint.

Worth the listen

Th narration was a little dull. Definitely something you can fall asleep to. The story itself is fantastic and I would still recommend it although probably narrated by a different person

great book only with there was more

wanna murder mystery with gypsy werewolves and vampires with homoerotic tendencies? than this is the book for you!

Mostly fun, entertaining, not bad

Would you try another book from Brian McGreevy and/or Sean Runnette?

Sure. I think McGreevy's got this one laid out read for sequels. I'll probably give (at least one of) them a try, especially if the Netflix series is any good.

What about Sean Runnette’s performance did you like?

Even paced. Nothing glaring about it. The best performances enhance the book. This one didn't quite do that, but it didn't distract from it either. It was a pleasurable listen.

Do you think Hemlock Grove needs a follow-up book? Why or why not?

No, probably doesn't need it. But I think it's primed for one.

Any additional comments?

Do we need another variation on the werewolf story? (As well as other plot lines the reader/listener will find familiar that I won't spoil here.) McGreevy does try to be clever by throwing in everything including the kitchen sink into this horror/gothic/occult story, and I'm not sure he completely succeeds. But it was fun and probably a good thing that it was a brief.

Not like the show

Just crap really, follows the show well but not the same outcome and less detail

good story, meh narration

the story is good....excited to watch the netflix show now. although I felt like the voice work was a little monotonous.

loved it!

I loved this story although I'm not usually a fan of werewolf stuff. at times, especially when Shelly's talking, the writing is so pretty and old fashioned. I loved that very much. I will definitely continue to book 2 when it comes out.

Phenomenal!

I watched the show before listening to this. Olivia was my favorite character, and I was told the book spoke more in depth about her character. I was absolutely not disappointed. As a whole, these characters- and this story, captivated me from the very beginning! The author did such a beautiful job of setting the tone, and the scene. The narrator was absolutely perfect too!