The Reaping

Paperbacks from Hell, Book 3

By: Bernard Taylor

Narrated by: Hannibal Hills

When Tom Rigby is commissioned to paint a young woman’s portrait at Woolvercombe House, the offer is too lucrative to refuse. But from the moment of his arrival at the secluded country mansion, strange and inexplicable events begin to transpire.

Soon, he is drawn into an impenetrable maze of horror, and by the time he discovers the role he is intended to play in a diabolical design, it will already be too late. For, the seeds of evil have been sown, and the time to reap their wicked harvest is nigh!

A classic novel by ’70s and ’80s horror master Bernard Taylor, The Reaping (1980) is now available as an audiobook.

Praise for The Reaping:

"Move over, Stephen King!" (New York Daily News)

"Draws the reader into a web that grows gradually tighter with each turn of the page!" (Booklist)

"Taylor works wizardry again!" (Publishers Weekly)

©1980 Bernard Taylor (P)2019 Valancourt Books LLC

Creepy story

I really liked this story it had nice flow. the narrator was fantastic and brought the characters to life.

Seeds of Evil Will be Sown

I thought this story was entertaining. I thought it was a slow burn with a slight pop at the end but was an enjoyable story. I liked trying to figure out what was going on more so than actually finding it out. I pretty much pegged what the goal was early on, although the journey of getting there was not at all what I thought and was quite surprising. Fans of 80’s suspense horror that isn’t full of gore and touches on cults and provides some decent thrills.

The overall plot wasn’t extremely original but the way it was told was. I liked how the plot unfolded and while I was really hoping for a bigger ending, I was happy with the final reveal. I just wish the ending wasn’t so abrupt and that there was a little follow up. I put this one down as an easy horror to listen to. Even the sexual scenes, which most horror authors put graphic details in, were tame. The best part of the story was the writing. I really enjoyed listening to the words and thought they were strung together to put the perfect image in my head.

The characters were quite engaging. My favorite was Miss Stewart. She definitely had the macabre factor and the few encounters with her had me completely creeped out. The room Berndard sets up for her coupled with the descriptions Tom gives kinda grossed me out. When she goes for a walk around the room I was thinking I couldn’t do that. Would have called it quits and walked out. Carl also got a bit under my skin. The vision I had of him, especially when he was helping Tom relax, was like that of an ancient vampire, all skinny with long bony fingers and a smirk that will haunt your dreams.

As he does with all of his narration, Hannibal Hills continues to bring the story to life. I love his character voices and the emotion he puts into the characters is palpable. If you want to be taken for a ride on a suspenseful thriller, look no further.

I was voluntarily provided this free review copy audiobook by the author, narrator, or publisher.

A horrifying tale

A very entertaining and excellent read very good and scary very well narrated. Thank you

A must-listen

This absolutely gripping story set in the British countryside is rendered all the more effective by its incredible reading from Hannibal Hills. Neither too feverish or muted, the reader definitely elevates what already is great. Horror fans of all stripes will love this one. Valancourt is doing fantastic work!

Well Written Old School Creepy Horror

This was a pretty solid and creepy slow burn horror written very well. In fact the quality of the writing takes first place in what was most enjoyable about the story itself, followed by the creepiness and how the horror was built up.

The narration was fantastic as well, doing a great job of giving voice to such a novel.

I received the review code for this audiobook at my request and am voluntarily leaving this honest review.

Slow Burn That Will Sit With You For Days

I received this audiobook free at my request and am leaving this review voluntarily.

The Reaping is a great old school suspenseful horror tale that will keep you guessing, and looking behind you in the dark. Excellent narration and a slow build to a satisfying finale, fans of classic horror will definitely enjoy this one. 5 Stars!

Just ok

This was an odd story that ended before things were explained to my satisfaction. Competent narration though.

WOW

Full of suspense and drama with plenty of thrills and chills.

I thought the narrator was good at the start of this audible. But he blew me away at the ending.

I received this audible free at my request. I'm thrilled to be able to provide my honest review.

The Reaping

This was a wonderful trip back to the horror filled books of the 1980's.We have a painter with a commision that is located in a strange place.There is a lot of intrigue with nuns and people in the village.The suspense goes right to the end so I won't spoil it.Hannibal Hills was an excellent narrator.I was given this free review copy audiobook at my request and have voluntarily left this review.' 

Creepy slow build

This book takes a bit of time to get to the heart of matters, but that's OK because the story-telling is superb and Hannibal Hills does an amazing job at bringing it to life.

Our protagonist is brought out to a creepy old estate in the English Countryside -- ostensibly to paint a portrait -- but who the heck knows the real reason. It was interesting to see how this story progressed without the typical tropes one might expect here, though I could have done with more frights.

As mentioned, things did take a bit to get going, and at one point I thought there was no supernatural aspect to this at all. There was in the end, but the story was still decent without it.

Still, definitely worth a listen. The 7 hours flew on by.