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)

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.

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).

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!

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.

Welcome back Jack

I enjoyed every moment of this story. Frank Muller did an excellent job. I am hoping to meet Jack and Speedy again

A Perfect Trio

King, Straub, and Muller.. If anything was meant to be, this is definitely it. ♥️

MY BEST BOOK EVER

I have just finished reading this book for at least the third time and it still remains my favorite! There is not a single word on any page that I wish could be changed! I have purchased Black House in every form; Paperback, Cassett and lastly from Audible! I believe that the audio versions are the best because they helped me to gain a tiny bit of understanding about questions that Stephen King readers are sometimes left with after reading some of his books. The fact that Stephen King and Peter Straub Joined forces to write it does not go unnoticed but they would have to explain to me how the book was improved by their collaboration.
The frosting on the cake is that this audiobook is read by one of the greatest readers of all time, Frank Muller. He takes you there........ he really brings this one to life.

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!

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.

Not for Me

As someone who couldn't get through "Desperation" due to the strolling cadence of the writing as we flew around town to stare at people with very little depth, this book strikes the same note for the first two hours. once you start getting deeper into the character, it's hard to keep up with who is who because one of the characters does a lot of talking for other people.
I love Stephen King and I have the utmost respect for Peter Straub, but this book isn't for me.