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Boys in the Valley

By: Philip Fracassi
Narrated by: David Aaron Baker
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Publisher's summary

This program is read by David Aaron Baker, who brings the nightmare to life with his sinister narration. He has earned several AudioFile Earphones Awards and has been a three-time finalist for the prestigious Audie Award for Best Male Narrator.

The Exorcist meets Lord of the Flies, by way of Midnight Mass, in Boys in the Valley, a brilliant coming-of-age tale from award-winning author Philip Fracassi.

“A sublimely chilling story.”—Library Journal, STARRED review

St. Vincent's Orphanage for Boys.

Turn of the century, in a remote valley in Pennsylvania.

Here, under the watchful eyes of several priests, thirty boys work, learn, and worship. Peter Barlow, orphaned as a child by a gruesome murder, has made a new life here. As he approaches adulthood, he has friends, a future...a family.

Then, late one stormy night, a group of men arrive at their door, one of whom is badly wounded, occult symbols carved into his flesh. His death releases an ancient evil that spreads like sickness, infecting St. Vincent's and the children within. Soon, boys begin acting differently, forming groups. Taking sides.

Others turn up dead.

Now Peter and those dear to him must choose sides of their own, each of them knowing their lives—and perhaps their eternal souls—are at risk.

A Macmillan Audio production from Tor Nightfire.

©2023 Philip Fracassi (P)2023 Macmillan Audio

Critic reviews

“The prose is precise, the terror’s exquisite, and Fracassi’s got his hand on the chisel going into your chest.”—Stephen Graham Jones, New York Times bestselling author of My Heart Is a Chainsaw

“A sublimely chilling story….Fracassi almost cheerfully paints this gloomy tale with painfully beautiful and detailed prose that is not afraid to shy away from gore and terror.”—Library Journal, STARRED review

“Gut-wrenching, heartbreaking, and terrifying.”—Andy Davidson, author of The Hollow Kind

What listeners say about Boys in the Valley

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Excellent story

The narrator did a great job! I could not stop listening to this story. It was so wonderfully written.
It was scary, dreadful, yet also filled with hope & love.

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Great Narration

I saw this book on a list of Top 10 Horror Books of 2023. I thought I would give it a try. It was better than I expected. The narration was great. David Aaron Baker was fabulous once again.

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Excellent coming of age horror

Great book in one of my favorite genres. A Catholic boys home, terror, kids turned evil...some that have not. Gruesome horror with choices being made between good and evil, sometimes for survival. through it all there are moments of hope and chances for redemption. I loved this one, Fracassi nailed the genre.

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Nasty little gem!

Enjoyed this story very much- characters were well developed, setting/time was interesting, and horror elements were on point!

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WOW!!

A book has not made me feel so much for a really long time. This book was incredible, along with the narrarator. Scary, emotional, heartwarming, heartbreaking.

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Christian Propaganda

The story started strong, but got extremely preachy and soapboxy. Ultimately the only saving grace being becoming Christian.

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Scary and well written

Really excellently developed plot. Balances depth and a great pace. Was hard to put down. Ignore the description’s comment about Lord of the Flies. Kids gone bad hardly warrants the comparison.

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Great!! Future classic!

Great story! The narrator was great!! I discovered this author when Stephen King tweeted about this book a few years ago. I have been anticipating reading this book for awhile now. The book did not disappoint! I love the beginning quotes. You know a book will be scary when the beginning quotes give you the chills. The characters were well developed and the story line kept me entertained and scared throughout! I highly recommend this book and this author!

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Wow! Just wow!

I listen to so many audiobooks sometimes I can’t keep them straight. I won’t have that problem with this one . I began my audiobook journey about four years ago, and I have only felt compelled to write one review in that time-this one. I love a good scary book! This one was so novel in its concept and so different from anything I have listened to before. I didn’t see it coming! There are a few disturbingly gross images if you are sensitive to that, beware. But if you like scary, this is the book for you! This is of a religious good versus evil genre. What a wonderful author and fabulous narrator! I finished my listen in two days. I just couldn’t put it down. Please don’t hesitate to give this a go! I’m now googling what to listen to next just knowing I will be disappointed after this gem!

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great

So well written, great pace, really enjoyable. the characters are so well done and the story, though not completely original, I thought it was well done.

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