Catacombs

By: John Farris

Narrated by: David Stifel

Deep within the volcanic rock of Mt. Kilamanjaro lie the Catacombs, the enormous hidden burial caves of a vanished African society more sophisticated and technologically advanced than ours. A civilization that has left the formula for present-day domination by a world power etched into blood-red diamonds - the rarest gemstones known. When a prestigious archaeological expedition discovers the valuable 'bloodstones', the stage is set for a duel between agents of superpowers and powerful Africans that will be fought to the death deep within the caverns of the ancient 'Lords of the Storm'.

©2008 Penny Dreadful, LLC (P)2012 David N. Wilson

Nice book to revisit

I read this book a long time ago. I found it in a used bookstore. I remember enjoying it then and it was nice to revisit it now.

Guilty pleasure, sweeping adventure

I first read this as a kid in the 80s and was enspelled by the premise, settings and interesting characters.

It translates well enough as an audiobook though I wasn't sure if the reader is unfamiliar with the regional African speech or the opposite, accustomed to American and Irish speech solely through Western and other movies. He also repeatedly displayed the inability to pronounce "calisthenics" and other words, including "cheetah", which he said as "CHEET-tah." It wouldn't be so annoying had cheetahs not been so key in parts.

That aside, he did an excellent job of voice differentiation between characters and genders and was enjoyable overall.

I've always wondered why this book is listed under horror. Aside from some violence, there is nothing of the genre to be found here. It is an adventure and survival story with Cold War espionage and politics as well as the struggle of beleaguered African nations to self actualize and compete globally. Mostly though, it is straight-up adventure with unusual characters and striking imagery.

Great read!

The story is well written with a premise that keeps you going until the end. I recommend this one, Farris you have a hit.