You Like It Darker Audiobook By Stephen King cover art

You Like It Darker

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You Like It Darker

By: Stephen King
Narrated by: Will Patton, Maggie Siff, Stephen King
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Winner of the 2025 Audie Award for Short Stories/Collections

Includes an afterword written by Stephen King and read by Sean Patrick Hopkins

Includes a bonus story, “The Music Room”

NAMED A NEW YORK TIMES BOOK REVIEW TOP 10 HORROR BOOK OF 2024
WINNER OF THE GOODREADS CHOICE AWARD FOR HORROR
FINALIST FOR THE 2025 LOCUS AWARDS

“Stephen King knows You Like It Darker and obliges with sensational new tales” (USA TODAY): From legendary storyteller and master of short fiction Stephen King, an extraordinary collection of stories that are “a master class in tension and full of King’s dark humor” (The New York Times Book Review).

“You like it darker? Fine, so do I,” writes Stephen King in the afterword to this magnificent new collection of twelve stories that delve into the darker part of life—both metaphorical and literal. King has, for half a century, been a master of the form, and these stories, about fate, mortality, luck, and the folds in reality where anything can happen, are as rich and riveting as his novels, both weighty in theme and a huge pleasure to read. King writes to feel “the exhilaration of leaving ordinary day-to-day life behind,” and in You Like It Darker, readers will feel that exhilaration too, again and again.

“Two Talented Bastids” explores the long-hidden secret of how the eponymous gentlemen got their skills. In “Danny Coughlin’s Bad Dream,” a brief and unprecedented psychic flash upends dozens of lives, Danny’s most catastrophically. In “Rattlesnakes,” a sequel to Cujo, a grieving widower travels to Florida for respite and instead receives an unexpected inheritance—with major strings attached. In “The Dreamers,” a taciturn Vietnam vet answers a job ad and learns that there are some corners of the universe best left unexplored. “The Answer Man” asks if prescience is good luck or bad and reminds us that a life marked by unbearable tragedy can still be meaningful.

“King’s skills as a storyteller remain undimmed” (The Minnesota Star Tribune) and his ability to surprise, amaze, and bring us both terror and solace is unsurpassed. “The titular darkness promised is as riveting and all-consuming as ever” (New York magazine). You like it darker? You got it. Anthologies & Short Stories Best of 2024 Editors Select Goodreads Choice Award Horror Short Stories Supernatural Suspense Thriller & Suspense Scary Exciting Fiction

Critic reviews

"Yes, Stephen King, we like it darker—especially when Will Patton narrates the 12 new stories in this audiobook. Patton’s usually soft voice explodes with excitement when necessary."

Editorial Review

Pace yourself
Did you know that May is Short Story Month? And what better way to enjoy it than having the king of horror himself, Stephen King, release a new anthology of dark and disturbing tales. You Like It Darker features 12 short stories, some new and some fan favorites, just in time to add frightful flair to my list of short stories to binge this month. As a longstanding fan of Stephen King, I was really excited to catch the mentions of popular characters like Cujo and well-established multiverse locations like Castle Rock and Derry, Maine. You Like It Darker is one of King’s longer anthologies, so take your time. You have the whole month of May to finish! —Nicole R., Audible Editor

Captivating Storytelling • Rich Character Development • Unexpected Twists • Classic King Style • Emotional Delivery

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Like my review says this is not classic King. If you are looking for Night Shift or Skelton Crew type stories you will be disappointed. What you will get is a mix of stories and in my opinion,one really great novella. Danny Coughlin’s Bad Dream is, in my opinion, the best story here and I highly enjoyed it. If you liked stories like Joyland or the Colorado kid then I think you will enjoy Dannys story. The others are good and all were a joy to listen to.
As much as I enjoy early King stories I enjoy these new stories and im glad he is evolving in his writing instead of just writing the same ol same ol.
I hope you find this review helpful and if you are on the fence about getting this book you should give it try even if its just for Danny Coughlin’s Bad Dream.

Not Classic King but that might be a good thing.

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This is another wonderful anthology from King. The stories are dark and many catch you off guard just as the twists and turns of the lives we live play out. Each story hooks you and keeps you reading. Each story is filled with the observations and empathy I’ve come to know and love while visiting many of the other tales spun by The One and Only.

Long Live The King

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by Mr. King and Will Patton is a dream to listen to per usual

lots of nostalgia...

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The only thing I disliked was that eventually, it had to end. Will Patton as always is seamless in his portrayal of characters. The stories are varied and very, very good. The most chilling is the second story. My favorite is the last. The Afterword, as always is a lovely visit by King, despite someone else reading it. I wish it would've been him, but if he couldn't read it that day, fair enough. King is my all time favorite author, and even if he isn't yours, you will enjoy this collection. Cheers!

Fantastic!

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I loved Will Patton as narrator. The stories were all good but some that really stood out were The Answer Man and Rattlesnakes (not exact title). I really didn’t think I would but as 50 year old myself, I enjoyed how SK embraced his aging real life experience in some of the short stories. It really made me realize that we think of aging as a shutting down of the mind and spirit, but these stories portrayed men in the latter stages of life with a vigorous mind if somewhat limited body and a strong thirst for life.

I loved all the stories, some were short and sweet and some felt like novellas

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