Black House

By: Stephen King, Peter Straub

Narrated by: Frank Muller

Length: 26 hrs and 27 mins

Publisher's Summary

Twenty years ago, a boy named Jack Sawyer traveled to a parallel universe called the Territories to save his mother and her “Twinner” from an agonizing death that would have brought cataclysm to the other world. Now Jack is a retired Los Angeles homicide detective living in the nearly nonexistent hamlet of Tamarack, Wisconsin. He has no recollection of his adventures in the Territories, and he was compelled to leave the police force when a happenstance event threatened to awaken those long suppressed and dangerous memories.

When a series of gruesome murders occur in western Wisconsin that are reminiscent of those committed several decades earlier, Jack’s buddy, the local chief of police, begs Jack to help find the killer. But are these new killings merely the work of a disturbed individual, or has a mysterious and malignant force been unleashed in this quiet town? What causes Jack’s inexplicable waking dreams - if that is what they are - of robins’ eggs and red feathers? As these cryptic messages becomes impossible to ignore, Jack is drawn back to the Territories and to his own hidden past.

©2001 Stephen King and Peter Straub. All rights reserved. (P)2012 Simon & Schuster Inc. All rights reserved.

Critic Reviews

“Intelligent…Suspenseful” ( Wall Street Journal)

“Overflows with dark wit…” ( New York Times Book Review)

“Two master craftsmen, each at the top of his game” ( Washington Post)

Jack Sawyer delivers

Maybe it was during the time that I fell out of love with Stephen King. Maybe there were things in my own life that kept me from this book. Maybe it was Ka. Who knows? I've waited 10 years to enjoy this book.

I read and loved The Talisman when it came out but when this came out, I shunned it for some unknown reason. I bought it and it sat on my shelf, mocking me for years until I gave it away in a frenzy of hardback reduction that I have come to regret for many reasons. Maybe it was The Black House itself hiding itself from me.

Anyway. This is a great continuation of the Talisman and I'm really glad that I finished the Dark Tower series in the intervening years (Nudge, wink).

29 of 30 people found this review helpful

A great sequel

What did you love best about Black House?

I loved the fact that we follow up on our hero Jack Sawyer. He is grown into an adult, but he is still the sensitive boy/man that you came to love in the Talisman. Also, if you are a true King fan, it does not hurt that we see a bit of the Dark Tower story as well.

10 of 10 people found this review helpful

A Must-Read for Dark Tower Fans!

Would you listen to Black House again? Why?

This is an engaging story, with a reader whose voice perfectly fits the story. I would definitely read this again.

What was one of the most memorable moments of Black House?

My favorite part was when I realized how this story fits into The Dark Tower story and how Jack Sawyer's quest was going to aid Roland in his.

Which character – as performed by Frank Muller – was your favorite?

It's a toss-up. I loved his voice for the biker, Beezer, but his voice for the killer was spot on as well. The former was very creepy, as it should have been.

Any additional comments?

As a big fan of the Dark Tower, I was shocked to see how many Dark Tower references and tie-in plot points there were between the two stories. Why have I not heard of this book before?!? I would have read it a long time ago if I had known about all the tie-ins. Besides the Dark Tower points though, this was a great book all by itself. Excellent characters, extremely creepy villains, and an ending that leaves you wanting more. This just made it to the top of my non-Dark Tower Stephen King books. An excellent read!

6 of 6 people found this review helpful

Better than Talisman, but not by much

Would you try another book from Stephen King and Peter Straub and/or Frank Muller?

I already did - The Talisman and Dark Tower Books

If you’ve listened to books by Stephen King and Peter Straub before, how does this one compare?

I listened to The Talisman and I thought Black House was a little better, but not by much. Only because with the main character being an adult rather than a child, I think King/Straub could utilize mature themes.

Which scene was your favorite?

Probably the hedge clipper scene at the retirement home.

Was Black House worth the listening time?

Barely.

Any additional comments?

“Black House” seemed to be a very different kind of story than “The Talisman”. In some ways I probably preferred BH over Talisman, but overall I was pretty underwhelmed by both stories. Obviously the only common denominator between the two was the main character – Jack Sawyer, only in BH Jack is an adult rather than a child which I think enabled the writers to bring mature elements into the story.

The supporting cast was better in BH, only because they didn’t seem like cartoon characters or even characterchures like in Talisman. I also like the fact that King & Straub steered clear of the animal-characters, which was something I didn’t care for in Talisman.

The plot of the book was enjoyable, taking more of a mystery approach rather than sci-fi; however once the sci-fi elements were introduced, the mystery vibe began to lose it’s appeal – almost surrendering the credibility of the overall story. I liked that BH had more gore and the subject matter was adult orientated.

My main complaint of BH was probably the narrative and delivery approach for how the story was told. I did not like to "float over here" and "let us drift away from there". I also found it hard to believe that a group of "hard core bikers" (one of which is a former surgeon, because there's so many surgeons that leave the medical field to pursue a life of biker-ing, right?) would immediately befriend an out-of-town cop to help solve a series of murders. The romance between Jack and Sophie seemed a little out-of-place as well, if not forced. Maybe it was an after thought that randomly made it's way into the story...who knows?

Altogether BH was worth reading if you’ve already read the Talisman; however I doubt I’d revisit either book again. I was not impressed or greatly entertained by BH; however it’s worth a read if you’re a fan of King’s Dark Tower books. There are a few bread crumbs in BH that DT fans will enjoy, but I’m not sure that it added a whole lot to the DT universe.

Pros: Dark Tower elements and a decent mystery story (less the sci-fi elements).
Cons: Clear motives for the killer would’ve been nice and the friendship between Henry & Jack should’ve been better organized and developed, as well as the romance between Jack & Sophie.
Bottom line: So-so story, not too bad but not too great.

9 of 10 people found this review helpful

Excellent reader

Stephen King is such a good storyteller. Frank Muller read so well I forgot the story was being narrated; he has a great range as to what voices he uses.

3 of 3 people found this review helpful

Fantastically Intrancing

Would you listen to Black House again? Why?

That would have to be a yes, for this story is moving and deep and full of hidden treasures.

What other book might you compare Black House to and why?

The Talisman, Read to find out :)

Which character – as performed by Frank Muller – was your favorite?

Jack Sawyer

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

Jack Sawyer getting shot.

Any additional comments?

We all serve the beam in one way or another.

3 of 3 people found this review helpful

Not sure who's at fault here.

What could have made this a 4 or 5-star listening experience for you?

Well, a different narrater would go a long way. Frank Muller delivers the on going first person present tense narration with a breathy voice that conveys a sinister intent behind every detail (and there a lot of details). I'm not sure who wrote the first person present tense narration, but it is tiresome to listen to. I kept feeling like I should be taking notes, just incase any of the superfluous descriptions of minutia proved one day to be of some importance. I got a little bit beyond chapter two before deciding to never listen to it again. I love Stephen King, not too familiar with Straub, but something in this combination doesn't add up to a good story. I suppose it is possible that a great story lies in there somewhere buried under all the meaningless details, but between the awful narration, and the voice in my head screaming, "Get to the point!", I couldn't be bothered to see if it ever surfaced.

Has Black House turned you off from other books in this genre?

no, but I will be wary of the King, Straub, Muller combo in the future.

How did the narrator detract from the book?

As mentioned above, he made every sentence sound as if there were some deep and evil meaning behind it. It was exhausting to listen to.

What character would you cut from Black House?

The Narrator.

2 of 2 people found this review helpful

Laurels Didn't Come Thru!

King, as in others of his books, has resurrected former story lines that reinserting them in The Black House become tiring and unimaginative. The beginnings are intriguing and grab your attention but then he picks up a scent from the past and there he goes off and running, ho-hum. This was one of those - Been there, done that.

2 of 2 people found this review helpful

Delightful detective story with a magical twist!

Would you consider the audio edition of Black House to be better than the print version?

I am an audio listener by trade.

Who was your favorite character and why?

Jack of course, he is the main man, super talented and powerful in ways that surprise the reader.

Have you listened to any of Frank Muller’s other performances before? How does this one compare?

Frank Muller was spectacular in the Talisman and he brings the same energy here. His performance of the new characters such as the "Fisherman" and "Mr. Munshun" in a sort of a Red Skelton mumbling jumble made me laugh out loud.

Did you have an extreme reaction to this book? Did it make you laugh or cry?

There are several funny parts that made me laugh especially when the Biker gang (Thunder Five) dudes made sharp cracks. Yes I did get misty there was a tremendous friendship between Jack Sawyer and Henry Leyden and some real sadness surrounding the murders of the children.

Any additional comments?

There was a very large character set here, but as most "constant readers" know it is handled with extreme expertise. The thing about this book that grabbed me the most was that it quickly became a fascinating murder-mystery novel. There was a the reluctant Jack Sawyer that had purportedly been a "superstar detective" but retired from the LAPD at the young age of 31. So for about 1/4 of the book the reader has no idea just how good he really is at it. Now throw in the element of the supernatural where King and Straub really get cranked up. And of course we know from the Talisman that Jack Sawyer has a little bit of experience in this area. This one will make you want to listen till the end!

8 of 10 people found this review helpful

S.King&P.Straub PLUS best narration EVER

The late, Absolutely GREAT Frank Muller narrates this epic tale right into your cerebral cortex, down your spine, past the horse’s tail, and back up on your oblingata! Mr. M magically mimates the most magnificent malignancy a Kng/Strb character may emote.
> This follow on to The Talisman brings Jack, and The Territories back for their amazing and gritty conclusion? Jack’s now an adult, living in the MW, when gruesome child murders begin to happen in his new hometown. Take BlackHouse after the TheTalisman for best results... but by no means mandatory!
And Seriously, Frank Muller is still the best narrator of fiction ever. End.

1 of 1 people found this review helpful