Desert Places

By: Blake Crouch

Narrated by: Eric G. Dove

Length: 7 hrs and 53 mins

Publisher's Summary

The first installment in the Andrew Z. Thomas Series and a prequel to Crouch's and Konrath's thriller Stirred...

Greetings. There is a body buried on your property, covered in your blood. The unfortunate young lady's name is Rita Jones. In her jeans pocket you'll find a slip of paper with a phone number on it. Call that number. If I have not heard from you by 8:00 P.M., the police will receive an anonymous call. I'll tell them where Rita Jones is buried on your property, how you killed her, and where the murder weapon can be found in your house. (I do believe a paring knife is missing from your kitchen.) I strongly advise against going to the police, as I am always watching you.

Andrew Z. Thomas is a successful writer of suspense thrillers, living the dream at his lake house in the piedmont of North Carolina. One afternoon in late spring, he receives a bizarre letter that eventually threatens his career, his sanity, and the lives of everyone he loves. A murderer is designing his future, and for the life of him, Andrew can't get away.

Dear Reader: Please keep the light on tonight. What happens next will scare you. Guaranteed.

©2004 Blake Crouch (P)2014 Blake Crouch

LIONSGATE NEEDS BLAKE

I'm simply in love with the entire series, the narrator made me have to stop listening, cause I thought I was looking at TV, couldn't get any darn work done. What a great listen, kudo;'s to you both. used one credit then had to purchase the others out right, but they were worth it

4 of 4 people found this review helpful

Page Turner!

I really enjoyed this book. I think that Blake Crouch and Eric G. Dove are paired nicely with their style of each of their crafts. I think that Blake did a good job with establishing the seriousness of the violent capacity of the characters without being unnecessarily disgusting about it. I thought the sexual abuse scene was a bit too graphic though. Still loved the book overall. ~JTC~

2 of 2 people found this review helpful

Hooked from the beginning

Would you recommend this audiobook to a friend? If so, why?

Yes, because it's original and hard to forget.

What was one of the most memorable moments of Desert Places?

The beginning of the story.

What about Eric G. Dove’s performance did you like?

His tone and ability to disguise his voice without becoming annoying.

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

Can't say without revealing bits of the story so I won't commit :-)

8 of 10 people found this review helpful

Blake Crouch knows thrillers!

**Warning** Spoiler Alert - Read at your own risk!

Andrew has some serious skeletons in his family closet. Well, at least one. His twin brother Orson vanished years ago. Now, he’s back. He has been a busy boy since his disappearance and wants to get reacquainted with his brother. Evidently, calling and grabbing a bite of lunch was too easy. Unless, of course, it was going to be liver with some fava beans and a nice chianti. Ahhhh, the joys of family. They were so close when they were kids. Like peas and carrots, peanut butter and chocolate, cigarette burns on clam hammers.

Blake Crouch knows how to write thrillers. It is impossible to deny his skills. It feels to me like he writes with the big screen in mind though. Not small time productions, but big ass summer blockbustery type movies. Doesn’t really matter, I guess, because I already mentioned that dude can write. Desert Places is no exception and this one is a non-stop thrill ride of violence and suspense. There are some classic characters here and I am looking forward to more from this series. 3.5 Stars.

1 of 1 people found this review helpful

One of the Best Mysteries I've Read!

Blake Crouch is one of my favorite authors. In Desert Places there is much more of a suspenseful mystery going on. The protagonist is perfect as are his cohorts. Not saying it's not creepy, but still a new favorite . For fans of suspense, a must listen !

1 of 1 people found this review helpful

Too much strong language!

I don't like the strong language... I love the plot & the story, if Blake would just leave out the filthy language!

2 of 3 people found this review helpful

Book > Narration

I did enjoy this book, and I look forward to the rest of the series, but I am just not sure why the author chose the narrator that he did. I'm sure Mr. Dove is a fine narrator for some kinds of books, but I felt as if he were reading a text book a lot of the time. There just wasn't much life or emotion in his reading. Everything was told as a matter of fact, rather than trying to convey the emotion that I felt the author was going for. Just my opinion.

2 of 3 people found this review helpful

If you don’t like torture porn, this book is not for you.

Clumsily written, gratuitously violent, the story bumbles along like a drunk uncle at a wedding. It plods from one gruesome murder to the next with a lack of tact or style.

I cannot believe that the same writer who wrote this piece of garbage wrote Dark Matter, one of the most brilliant books of our generation.

Slow to start but worth the wait!

The middle and ending is far greater than the beginning. It took several listening attempts but glad I stuck with it.

Not Blake's best

Would you try another book from Blake Crouch and/or Eric G. Dove?

I would but not b/c of this book. Blake's other books are much better.

What was most disappointing about Blake Crouch’s story?

Premise is pretty far fetched.

What about Eric G. Dove’s performance did you like?

Excellent variation in voices. However, it would have been more impactful to hear fear, remorse, and other emotions that would have gone with the activity in the story more appropriately.

Do you think Desert Places needs a follow-up book? Why or why not?

Maybe. I understand there is one. You have to wonder what happened to Andrew, as he is now wanted by the police.

Disappointing

I generally love Blake Crouch but could not get into this. I didn't even like the main character. Lots of death with a pretty unlikely story. Could just be my taste but certainly not for me.