-
Chiaroscuro: The Mouse and the Candle
- Narrated by: Christopher James Mayer
- Length: 11 hrs and 6 mins
- Categories: Literature & Fiction, Horror
Add to Cart failed.
Add to Wish List failed.
Remove from wishlist failed.
Adding to library failed
Follow podcast failed
Unfollow podcast failed
Buy for $24.95
No default payment method selected.
We are sorry. We are not allowed to sell this product with the selected payment method
Listeners also enjoyed...
-
All Souls' Night
- By: Sir Hugh Walpole
- Narrated by: Matt Godfrey
- Length: 8 hrs and 41 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
Hugh Walpole (1884-1941) was one of the most popular and prolific English authors of his time, best known for his historical fiction and novels for boys. But it was in the field of the macabre and supernatural that Walpole was at his best, and this collection of 16 tales contains many of his finest.
-
-
Excellent Collection for Fans of The Twilight Zone
- By LilMissMolly on 03-06-17
By: Sir Hugh Walpole
-
The Other Place and Other Stories of the Same Sort
- By: J. B. Priestley
- Narrated by: David Sweeney-Bear
- Length: 6 hrs and 53 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
J. B. Priestley (1894-1984) was a versatile and prolific novelist and playwright, but in The Other Place (1953), he shows an unexpected talent, proving himself a master of the weird tale. In "The Grey Ones", Mr. Patson visits a psychiatrist after he becomes convinced that a race of demons masquerading as men are plotting the overthrow of the human race...but what if he's not insane? In "Guest of Honour", a banquet speech becomes a horrifying affair when the keynote speaker realizes his audience is made up of monstrous and menacing creatures.
-
-
An interesting midcentury collection of the Weird.
- By Fenrix on 03-15-20
By: J. B. Priestley
-
Nightmares and Geezenstacks
- By: Fredric Brown
- Narrated by: Matt Godfrey
- Length: 5 hrs and 27 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
One of the great pulp writers, Fredric Brown (1906-1972) combined a flair for the horrific, a quirky sense of humor, and a wild imagination, and published many classic novels in the mystery and science fiction genres. But he was also a master of the "short-short story", tales only a page or two in length, but hard-hitting and with a wicked twist at the end.
-
-
The stories are fun and quick
- By Midwestbonsai on 04-01-18
By: Fredric Brown
-
Blithecraft
- An Anthology of Weird Tales
- By: C.R. Tyroak
- Narrated by: Gareth Richards
- Length: 6 hrs and 8 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
This compelling collection will engage the lovers of horror, fantasy, and science fiction and marry their eccentric desires in the church of Blithecraft. Twelve stories suitable for the discerning fantasist. A blithely return to the eccentric craft of weird short stories. Tales of other dimensions, eldritch beasts, and seditious sirens. Ancient witchcraft, necromancers, and giant arthropods. Worlds of past, present, and future are presented in a classical style with contemporary beguile.
-
-
The Department of Snitches and Other Weird Tales
- By Spooky Mike on 12-05-19
By: C.R. Tyroak
-
Horror in the Woods
- By: Lee Mountford
- Narrated by: Hannibal Hills
- Length: 7 hrs and 15 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
For Ashley and her three friends, it was supposed to be an adventure-filled weekend. A chance to get away from the hustle-and-bustle of city life and experience the peaceful tranquility of nature. But when they ventured into those woods, their trip turned into a horror far beyond what they could have ever imagined. Because these four friends have wandered into the territory of the violent, grotesque Webb family. A group of psychopaths who have a taste for human meat. And they are hungry!
-
-
Supernatural Texas Chainsaw Massacre
- By Spooky Mike on 12-04-17
By: Lee Mountford
-
The Amulet
- By: Michael McDowell
- Narrated by: Julia Whelan
- Length: 10 hrs and 41 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
When a rifle range accident leaves Dean Howell disfigured and in a vegetative state, his wife Sarah finds her dreary life in Pine Cone, Alabama made even worse. After long and tedious days on the assembly line, she returns home to care for her corpse-like husband while enduring her loathsome and hateful mother-in-law, Jo. Jo blames the entire town for her son's mishap, and when she gives a strange piece of jewelry to the man she believes most responsible, a series of gruesome deaths is set in motion.
-
-
Another gem from Michael McDowell
- By MontiLee on 09-30-19
By: Michael McDowell
-
All Souls' Night
- By: Sir Hugh Walpole
- Narrated by: Matt Godfrey
- Length: 8 hrs and 41 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
Hugh Walpole (1884-1941) was one of the most popular and prolific English authors of his time, best known for his historical fiction and novels for boys. But it was in the field of the macabre and supernatural that Walpole was at his best, and this collection of 16 tales contains many of his finest.
-
-
Excellent Collection for Fans of The Twilight Zone
- By LilMissMolly on 03-06-17
By: Sir Hugh Walpole
-
The Other Place and Other Stories of the Same Sort
- By: J. B. Priestley
- Narrated by: David Sweeney-Bear
- Length: 6 hrs and 53 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
J. B. Priestley (1894-1984) was a versatile and prolific novelist and playwright, but in The Other Place (1953), he shows an unexpected talent, proving himself a master of the weird tale. In "The Grey Ones", Mr. Patson visits a psychiatrist after he becomes convinced that a race of demons masquerading as men are plotting the overthrow of the human race...but what if he's not insane? In "Guest of Honour", a banquet speech becomes a horrifying affair when the keynote speaker realizes his audience is made up of monstrous and menacing creatures.
-
-
An interesting midcentury collection of the Weird.
- By Fenrix on 03-15-20
By: J. B. Priestley
-
Nightmares and Geezenstacks
- By: Fredric Brown
- Narrated by: Matt Godfrey
- Length: 5 hrs and 27 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
One of the great pulp writers, Fredric Brown (1906-1972) combined a flair for the horrific, a quirky sense of humor, and a wild imagination, and published many classic novels in the mystery and science fiction genres. But he was also a master of the "short-short story", tales only a page or two in length, but hard-hitting and with a wicked twist at the end.
-
-
The stories are fun and quick
- By Midwestbonsai on 04-01-18
By: Fredric Brown
-
Blithecraft
- An Anthology of Weird Tales
- By: C.R. Tyroak
- Narrated by: Gareth Richards
- Length: 6 hrs and 8 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
This compelling collection will engage the lovers of horror, fantasy, and science fiction and marry their eccentric desires in the church of Blithecraft. Twelve stories suitable for the discerning fantasist. A blithely return to the eccentric craft of weird short stories. Tales of other dimensions, eldritch beasts, and seditious sirens. Ancient witchcraft, necromancers, and giant arthropods. Worlds of past, present, and future are presented in a classical style with contemporary beguile.
-
-
The Department of Snitches and Other Weird Tales
- By Spooky Mike on 12-05-19
By: C.R. Tyroak
-
Horror in the Woods
- By: Lee Mountford
- Narrated by: Hannibal Hills
- Length: 7 hrs and 15 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
For Ashley and her three friends, it was supposed to be an adventure-filled weekend. A chance to get away from the hustle-and-bustle of city life and experience the peaceful tranquility of nature. But when they ventured into those woods, their trip turned into a horror far beyond what they could have ever imagined. Because these four friends have wandered into the territory of the violent, grotesque Webb family. A group of psychopaths who have a taste for human meat. And they are hungry!
-
-
Supernatural Texas Chainsaw Massacre
- By Spooky Mike on 12-04-17
By: Lee Mountford
-
The Amulet
- By: Michael McDowell
- Narrated by: Julia Whelan
- Length: 10 hrs and 41 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
When a rifle range accident leaves Dean Howell disfigured and in a vegetative state, his wife Sarah finds her dreary life in Pine Cone, Alabama made even worse. After long and tedious days on the assembly line, she returns home to care for her corpse-like husband while enduring her loathsome and hateful mother-in-law, Jo. Jo blames the entire town for her son's mishap, and when she gives a strange piece of jewelry to the man she believes most responsible, a series of gruesome deaths is set in motion.
-
-
Another gem from Michael McDowell
- By MontiLee on 09-30-19
By: Michael McDowell
-
The Reaping
- Paperbacks from Hell, Book 3
- By: Bernard Taylor
- Narrated by: Hannibal Hills
- Length: 6 hrs and 52 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
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!
-
-
Seeds of Evil Will be Sown
- By Spooky Mike on 11-22-19
By: Bernard Taylor
-
Sweetheart, Sweetheart
- By: Bernard Taylor
- Narrated by: Matt Godfrey
- Length: 10 hrs and 10 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
David Warwick, an Englishman living in New York, has a sudden premonition that his twin brother, Colin, is in danger. He returns to England and learns the shocking truth: both Colin and his young bride Helen have died ghastly deaths - deaths that no one in the village wants to talk about.
-
-
Sweetheart, Sweetheart
- By Simone on 05-03-17
By: Bernard Taylor
-
Slimer
- By: Harry Adam Knight, John Brosnan, Leroy Kettle
- Narrated by: Hannibal Hills
- Length: 5 hrs and 46 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
When a yacht being used to smuggle drugs sinks, the six smugglers must seek refuge the only place they can - an abandoned oil rig in the middle of the sea. But there's something strange about this oil rig. For one thing, it looks more like a scientific research facility. And for another, there are no people - only piles of clothes with no bodies in them. It soon becomes clear that something is loose on the rig. Something deadly. It's stalking them, one by one, but it's not just a horrible death they have to fear - it's what comes after.
-
-
Classic 80's Horror
- By Spooky Mike on 05-03-19
By: Harry Adam Knight, and others
-
Offbeat
- By: Richard Matheson
- Narrated by: Peter Berkrot, R.C. Bray, Scott Brick, and others
- Length: 5 hrs and 31 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
In the aptly titled Offbeat, Richard Matheson, a modern master of strange fiction, offers 13 excursions into the unsettling and bizarre. In these stories you will encounter a major league pitcher with a horrific secret for his astonishing success; an ordinary man who wakes to find himself in a silent, empty world; a death row prisoner with an extraordinary explanation for his innocence; and a novelist whose fictional creations transcend the printed page.
-
-
A Fine Selection of Twisted Short Stories
- By Christian C. on 04-05-17
By: Richard Matheson
-
Antique Dust
- Ghost Stories
- By: Robert Westall
- Narrated by: R.C. Bray
- Length: 8 hrs and 11 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
Geoff Ashden is a regular guy trying to make an honest living as an antique dealer, but who has an uncanny knack for finding cursed objects and haunted places: a sinister Georgian clock carved with obscene and satanic designs, a hideous doll with deadly powers, a pair of old spectacles that let their wearer see a little too clearly, an ugly house with a terrifying secret, a church full of graffiti scrawled in decomposing human flesh.
-
-
There are some real gems in here.
- By Barks Books on 02-21-17
By: Robert Westall
-
The Nest
- By: Gregory A. Douglas
- Narrated by: Matt Godfrey
- Length: 9 hrs and 59 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
It was just an ordinary garbage dump on peaceful Cape Cod. No one ever imagined that conditions were perfect for breeding, that it was a warm womb, fetid, moist, and with food so plentiful that everything creeping, crawling, and slithering could gorge to satiation. Then a change in poison control was made, resulting in an unforeseen mutation. Now the giant mutant cockroaches are ready to leave their nest - in search of human flesh!
-
-
Buyer beware: it’s brutal
- By Liv on 07-17-19
-
Promised Land Lane
- The Promised Land Lane Series, Book 1
- By: Marcus Brown
- Narrated by: Jake Urry
- Length: 7 hrs and 54 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
In 1901, Maisie Whitmore vanished without a trace. Her neighbour David Price was blamed for her disappearance and dealt with swiftly by the village elders. A 100 years later, number six Promised Land Lane is steeped in mystery. Urban legend says the ghost of Maisie Whitmore stalks the grounds, taking revenge on anybody who crosses her path. Sandra Miller is a prominent reporter assigned to investigate the murder of a 12-year-old boy. She has her own history with the house. Her sister vanished from there 20 years earlier.
-
-
Superb Horror (+ Jake Urry!!)
- By Simone on 01-03-20
By: Marcus Brown
-
Tormented
- By: Lee Mountford
- Narrated by: Hannibal Hills
- Length: 8 hrs and 7 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
Adrian James is running from his past with nothing left to live for. At rock bottom, with a blade to his wrist, a mysterious stranger intervenes and offers him a chance at salvation. Adrian accepts, and he enters Arlington Asylum of his own free will. Once inside, however, he soon learns that he will never escape. And worse, there are strange experiments taking place here, and a secretive medicine is being administered, one that causes certain…changes…in the patients.
-
-
One Flew East One Flew West
- By Spooky Mike on 07-24-19
By: Lee Mountford
-
The Mark
- Supernatural Horror Series, Book 2
- By: Lee Mountford
- Narrated by: Hannibal Hills
- Length: 7 hrs and 6 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
Kirsty Thompson is no stranger to trauma. But when a vicious attack leaves her drugged and disoriented, she never expected to wake up to a permanent scar. She starts having demonic visions, all linked to the ancient symbol carved deep into her back.... With the help of her best friend, Kirsty discovers the mark originates from the Devil's Bible and forges a connection between her and a terrifying creature. As they track the man who assaulted her to a satanic cult, the beast hunts them from the shadows. Can Kirsty escape the devil worshipers and her bond with the heinous creature?
-
-
Mountford hits The Mark with this
- By Spooky Mike on 12-26-18
By: Lee Mountford
-
Floodwater
- By: Sean Thomas Fisher
- Narrated by: J. Scott Bennett
- Length: 8 hrs and 4 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
After a night of camping turns deadly for Rory and his friends, the town sheriff finds no trace of wrongdoing. No bodies. No blood. No nada. Sheriff Hooper scoffs at their story about the dead people who came out of the lake. The moss-covered ones that allegedly dragged their friends, kicking and screaming, back into the water with them. It doesn't take long for the dwindling group of survivors to uncover who is responsible for the uprising, and what follows is a tidal wave of bloodshed and horror.
-
-
Surprisingly good!!
- By Natalie @ ABookLoversLife on 08-11-16
-
Eltonsbrody
- By: Edgar Mittelholzer
- Narrated by: David Sweeney-Bear
- Length: 5 hrs and 47 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
When Woodsley, a young English painter, arrives in Barbados and finds no lodging available, he thinks himself fortunate to be invited to stay at Eltonsbrody, a mansion belonging to the eccentric widow Mrs Scaife. But behind the locked doors of the house’s disused rooms lurk terrible secrets, and soon strange and blood-curdling events begin to unfold. The tension builds towards a shocking and unforgettable conclusion, when the full horror of Eltonsbrody will be revealed.
-
-
Classic Gothic novel
- By Troy J. Knutson on 09-17-20
-
Nightshade and Damnations
- By: Gerald Kersh
- Narrated by: Matt Godfrey
- Length: 6 hrs and 17 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
An expedition in South America uncovers a terrifying race of men without bones who literally suck the life out of their prey. A man in 20th-century London makes a horrifying discovery about a monster found off the coast of Brighton in 1745. A sea captain goes ashore on a deserted island and finds what seem to be the bones of a previously unknown species of monster, only to learn that the bones tell a much more tragic tale than he could ever have imagined.
-
-
Great Horror Anthology
- By IncreaseMather on 04-12-19
By: Gerald Kersh
Publisher's Summary
God’s will be done.
After 11 years as a priest living by these words, Father Antonio Molinari never imagined who would teach his strongest lesson of faith - vampire.
As a member of a secret order within the Vatican, he investigates and debunks supernatural events. A case of possession brings him to the French countryside, where two local clergy offer him the chance of a lifetime. They claim to have captured a vampire, and beg his expertise in helping them study the fiend.
When their monster turns out to be a little girl, cursed to spend eternity hiding from the sun, he cannot bring himself to destroy her. The priests, mistaking his compassion for diabolism, panic, and his efforts to protect an innocent child prove fatal.
He awakes caught between light and darkness.
Hunted by the Church he once served as well as the fiends he once destroyed, Father Molinari clings to his faith there is still room for him in God’s plan.
But God is quiet, and the darkness tempting.
More from the same
What listeners say about Chiaroscuro: The Mouse and the Candle
Reviews - Please select the tabs below to change the source of reviews.
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
- Spooky Mike
- 10-02-19
An Incredibly Compelling and Emotional Story
I have to be honest, it took me quite some time to get into this book. I had a few starts and stops and just struggled to get on board. I finally decided to start fresh and listen to the whole story and I am really happy that I did. No idea why I struggled, but once it clicked I was in awe of the narration, story telling, and writing. This was a wonderful tale and is not like any other vampire tale I have read. I’m not a huge fan of vampire stories, however this one stands far away from your typical vampire story and is well worth listening to. This is a book that I will definitely revisit in the future.
The way the book is written made me think of some of the older classic horror novels. It definitely seems a bit out of place when compared to current vampire stories, but I would say that is the charm. Above all I really liked the plot. To me it was a love story between a father and his daughter. Sabine isn’t his daughter, but his drive to protect her and raise her to be a god-fearing vampire was beautiful. I thought the twist of religious vampires was quite neat. Their internal struggle to be who they are while also respecting God’s wishes was quite original. No spoilers, but the end was solid and quite emotional for me.
Father Molinari and Sabine were great characters. As a father, I had great respect for how Father Molinari worked with Sabine and did everything he could to protect her. I thought Sabine’s character was written exactly how an eight-year-old acts, and I can only assume that she looks just like Kirsten Dunst in that one vampire movie. I loved how over the years Father Molinari stayed static and almost shunned technology, while Sabine grew throughout the years and embraced the evolution of the aging world around her. I thought it was hilarious that Molinari thought TVs would be a fad while next thing you know Sabine is playing video games. The development of the characters throughout the timeline was amazing and gets you that much more intimate with them.
First time I had listened to Christopher James Mayer and I hope it won’t be my last. He has a great voice for narration and I really enjoyed his character voices. He definitely brought them all to life and made the story a lot of fun to listen to.
I was voluntarily provided this free review copy audiobook by the author, narrator, or publisher.
3 people found this helpful
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
- timj26
- 09-12-19
Loved it
A Humanizing story of Two god fearing vampires fighting the temptation to give in to the dark side
I liked that this takes place over centuries without feeling like your missing something
Great narration and not your typical vampires highly recommended
I received a free review audiobook and voluntarily left this review
6 people found this helpful
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
- Tammy B Oakley
- 06-16-20
Brilliant 💜
This book was fascinating. It’s so much more than just another vampire book. A story of hope, trust & faith. A look at the background of vampires and their myths vs truths. You’re following the incredible journey of a little girl and a priest who are tested in many ways as to whether or not their faith in God is enough. This book was so engaging I couldn’t put it down.
The narration was absolutely amazing. I’m new to this narrator but not for long. To narrate nearly this entire book going back and forth between a little girl and a priest was amazing. Don’t get me started on his accents and different languages throughout this book absolutely brilliant.
I highly recommend this book!
Sisters Spotlight 💜
1 person found this helpful
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
- ssimon2000
- 09-24-19
Surprising!
I received this from Audiobook Boom in exchange for an honest review.
4 stars
Not at all what I expected, and it was very good. This may sound strange in describing a "vampire" book, but there are hints of Les Misérables by Victor Hugo hidden in the story, especially when the main character is talking about redemption and God's work in a man's heart.
I really enjoyed this one.
1 person found this helpful
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
- Gabrielle
- 03-06-21
Chiaroscuro
Father Antonio Molinari has been fighting evil for years when he comes across a little girl who has been cursed as a vampire. He cannot abide the torture of the child and while trying to protect her Father Antonio is himself turned into a vampire. Yet the things that should hurt him and the little girl do no harm to them and he must navigate this new world and his place in it. Throughout this book we see the years and the people that Father Antonio and the young girl encounter as the Father tries to find a way to help Sabine. He will never give up on that goal or his faith in God but is that enough for him to fulfill his mission?
I found this book to drawn out for me with no real character development. It is mostly seeing the Father try to acclimate to each new year and inventions as he tries to stay hidden from those hunting him. All is centered around him researching to find what he is looking for and the fights he has with the vampires. The story is based on his faith in his religion and soon becomes a very religious book that began to turn me off of the story. This book spans many years, and it becomes a tedious story that loses my attention, and I began to wonder just how long it would go on. The book only briefly goes into anything about the vampire world and centers around Father Antonio’s strength in his religion. Narrator Christopher James Mayer does a nice job of moving the narrative along and letting some emotions be heard through the characters.
I received this audiobook at my request and I voluntarily wrote a review.
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
- Jason Begly
- 02-03-21
The Mouse and the Candle
This was a hard book for me to figure out. First of all, it was not horror. It dealt with creatures of horror, but this was almost a fictional, biographical account of a man and his creator (and Creator) and the attempt to make amends with both. I enjoyed the story and the characters. The narration was good as well.
This audiobook was given to me at my request for my free and unbiased review.
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story

- Selina ryles
- 10-10-19
Unique unlike modern day vampire fiction
Over many years I have read a lot of vampire fiction. I grew up reading the Anne Rice chronicles and in later years the twilight series. When twilight became so commercialised I think that vampire fiction lost direction. Every book I read afterwards was over romancisised and aimed completely towards the teen girl market. I love this book because it has rediversified and is again more reminicient to the classics. I think this has a lot to do with the fact that the novel covers such a large lifespan . I was completely immersed and loved the feel of the book and the emotions behind it . I was given this book by the author/narrator in return for an honest and unbiased review