Depravity

By: Emilie J. Howard

Narrated by: J. Scott Bennett

Length: 11 hrs and 17 mins

Publisher's summary

The year was 1979. The small town of Lehem, Iowa, was a large clique - content and thriving. When one charming new resident enters the farming community, it's considered an anomaly. When a second stranger appears, it is a concern...Slaughtered livestock and humans are discovered during the full moon of June, forcing the sheriff and his deputies to take to arms.

When an unknown assailant targets young Peter Carston, hackles and guns are raised as questions float to the surface of a bloody pool. Peter hopes those questions will be answered in time but is unsure. The next full moon approaches, and time becomes precious for the residents of the small Midwest township. The pressure is on to save their close-knit community before it becomes Satan's playground. Of course, it won't be easy catching the killer. It seldom is.

Just as the population believes the nightmare might be over, it begins anew. The residents begin to wonder if they're stuck in a strange vortex of blood and gore. Groups of invaders filled with mal intent try to overtake their territory, only to be met by a rag-tag force that few communities could boast about.

This winding tale will not only introduce you to the small society of Lehem, but also to their holiday traditions and the Warfield family. Who and what they are is for the listener to discover. Welcome to the miasma called Depravity.

©2014 Emilie J. Howard (P)2015 Emilie J. Howard

Depravity

This book was really good.Strange men start to show up in a town.What do they want?Murder,that's what they want.Is it vendetta.Well,maybe the first one or two were.Dead townsolk and livestock.People who just don't give up. It is fast paced and J Scott Bennett does a wonderful job with narration.I was given this book free for an honest review.

A fun Three Parter

I must admit up front, I am a big horror fan, and the summary of the book sounded pretty interesting, but I did have a bit of a pause given the title of the book. I was a bit worried that it might just be over the top highly graphic that the title might indicate. If you were likewise concerned, it isn't. It is definitely a bit gruesome, but not what I'd classify in any way gratuitous. I got this as a free review copy from audiobookblast. I'm always looking out for new books in genres I like by new authors, ones that I might not necessarily be willing to try blind, so like to get the opportunity to check out new talent.

The book was structured in three parts, presented as a book, but each are a good sequential part of the story, each with a different theme. Book one was concerned with a murderous drug addicted killer wreaking havoc. Book two was centered on a lot of the same characters, plus the family of the killer. I was initially concerned that it was going down as a straight plain anti-authorities revenge story (which I admit really annoys me) but it wasn't. It was actually a bit of an unexpected twist. Book 3 was probably the third best tale of the bunch, but I did like and appreciate how the law took charge in a satisfying way. It was odd that the book was specifically set in 1979. It definitely fit, but the story to me felt pretty timeless, and wasn't relying on story elements that would be restricted to any time period (eg it wasn't like there were situations where it wouldn't work modern days as everyone has cell phones, and internet to look up stuff). But that said, the story itself being written that way is quite neat. It wasn't that the author was deliberately trying to do something making a statement about a particular time period.

I loved the narration too. The characterization of a lot of the old timers, both male and female were so well done, and often put a smile on my face.

Not fantastic, but not bad!

Depravity by Emilie J. Howard is my first Emilie J. Howard book and it feels like a good beginning! Because it is not there! its around as close to a 4 out of 5 you can come! It feels like its missing something in being better, and maybe the next books will get there, because this book is just not there yet. That does not mean its bad at all! just to have that clear! Its just not 5 stars, that does not mean its lower then 4! So i still recommend this!

J. Scott Bennett read this and does a good job too. but again not 5 stars! 11 hrs and 17 mins never gets boring, or bad but maybe at some parts a little monotone? 11 hrs and 17 mins is not to long for a book like this, and J. Scott Bennett is maybe a bit more in love with his material then me, but still i enjoy his reading of the material!

A Fun Good Thriller

I just finished listening to book. This is the first I’ve read by the author. I enjoyed this audiobook immensely held my interest; the narrator was great and made the book. I loved all of the characters in this small town sorry to see it end. It is more of suspense than horror but plan on looking for her other books. This audiobook was provided by the author, narrator, or publisher at no cost in exchange for an unbiased review courtesy of AudiobookBlast dot com.

A good story and strong narrative..

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

Both are good, but the narration by J. Scott Bennett breathes life into the characters and makes the audio version a powerful adaptation.

What did you like best about this story?

The book has alot of twists and turns, keeping he reader on his or her toes and a classic good verses evil story. It's also divided into several parts within one book, giving the reader a number of flavors within one book. All the characters are distinct and interesting; that fact is amplified by the narrator's strong performance.

Any additional comments?

The story, unfolding in a small Iowa town, is strong and the performance, exceptional. Surprises are lurking around corners, including an unexpected one at the end.

Tick tock....

Any additional comments?

Once again Emilie J Howard has produced a excellent thriller and I can’t imagine listening without Scott Bennett narrating he gave a flawless performance once again giving all of the characters their own unique voices and making the book more riveting. I really enjoyed whenever a character was on the phone and the different sound as if you were listening to a real phone call… I was really surprised by the different turns the book took I definitely didn’t predict who the true bad guy was… Overall, I found the book to be easy to listen to and would highly suggest to those who love scary macabre thrillers!

"This audiobook was provided by the author, narrator, or publisher at no cost in exchange for an unbiased review courtesy of Audiobookboom”

Small Town Horror

This is a thriller horror with just a slight touch of the supernatural. (The slight supernatural influence isn't revealed until very late in the book). It consists of a three tale series of interrelated stories. The book is full of surprises and has a one very evil master villain which created and employed the other two villains.

The story takes place in a small town in Iowa. The evil and tragedy that befall the town is do to the arrogant evil machinations of a very powerful man in New England.

The first story is about the murderous rampage of this man's youngest son, the second is about the elder son who tries to make amends, and the last book is about this evil man's primary henchman and cleaner who wreaks a vengeful havoc.

The town is an ideal version of a mid-west small town very much like the town I grew up in. A town where residents looked after each other, worked together, protected each other were suspicious of strangers, and were a close knit community. A town which was like an extended family. Something one doesn't experience in today's city suburbs.

The book is full of surprises and twists and turns. It is a story of good verses evil with good ultimately overcoming evil and then at the very end of the book there is yet another provocative unexpected surprise. The book was well preformed and narrated with each character having a distinct voice.


“I was provided this audiobook at no charge by the author, publisher and/or narrator in exchange for an unbiased review via AudiobookBlast dot come”

Depravity

Excellent book. Action and suspense with horror and depraved people. I listened to this in two settings over two days. The author has a way with writing that will have you sitting on the edge of your seat from beginning to end. Be prepared for a roller coaster ride as you join the lives of residents in a small town in Iowa called Lehem as they try to save there town from men only satan could be proud of. And the ending!!! What a surprise! I loved it.

J. Scott Bennett was perfect as narrator. His voice(s) and emotions used for this book added so much to the hair raising suspense. I look forward to more from this narrator and author. Excellent work!!!

I received this audio free of charge from the author narrator or publisher in exchange for an honest unbiased review

Great Trilogy!

I really loved this story! There was a great cast of characters (Matt, the “deaf” guy, was hilarious), interesting plotline, and lots of funnies (regarding the dialogue). This was a great listen-to.

I’m a big fan of J. Scott Bennett. Unfortunately, while I think he did a great job narrating, there was an issue with the sound quality. Throughout the audiobook, there were times when he sounded closer or further away from the microphone. I could see this happening after taking a break, then coming back to start up again. But some of time it would happen when he was in the middle of a sentence.

I couldn’t help but notice some of the low reviews from 2016 on Goodreads. I swear they must have been reading/listening to a completely different book.

Questions/Comments:

Lucius is forced to run without shoes one evening. We’re told that he ends up with blisters. How in the world did he get blisters when he had no shoes on though?

In part 2, Craven’s father sends a guy to town who plants traps and kills animals. I didn’t really understand why he would do that when he wanted Craven to come home.

Then in part 3, Luther has his list of people to kill, one he’d received from Magnus sometime prior to his death. I’m still unsure of where the list of names (why add Matt and Jack)? I think there was mention of Magnus having gotten ahold of his journal or something? Yet there was no mention of him having written in a journal. I don’t know.

William was around three yet I didn’t feel he was believable as a three-year-old character. Some of his dialogue came across as sounding like he’d be much older.

The “reveal” at the end about Nathan and him being a soul catcher was just strange and went over my head. I didn’t understand what that was about.

I received a free audiobook copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

Twister

I enjoyed the twists and turns this book took. I recommend it to suspense fans. The narrator did a good job.