Chills

By: Mary SanGiovanni

Narrated by: Chris Abell

Length: 7 hrs and 8 mins

Publisher's summary

True Detective meets H.P. Lovecraft in this chilling novel of murder, mystery, and slow-mounting dread from acclaimed author Mary SanGiovanni....

It begins with a freak snowstorm in May. Hit hardest is the rural town of Colby, Connecticut. Schools and businesses are closed, powerlines are down, and police detective Jack Glazier has found a body in the snow. It appears to be the victim of a bizarre ritual murder. It won't be the last.

As the snow piles up, so do the sacrifices. Cut off from the rest of the world, Glazier teams up with an occult crime specialist to uncover a secret society hiding in their midst.

The gods they worship are unthinkable. The powers they summon are unstoppable. And the things they will do to the good people of Colby are utterly, horribly unspeakable....

©2016 Mary SanGiovanni (P)2017 David N. Wilson

Started strong and then melted a bit.

This book had a great promise with a strong beginning, unfortunately it lost something around the middle. It wasn’t horrible it just kind of fizzled. The narrator did an ok job, he seemed to be lacking a little range at times, everyone sounded excited all the time. Also when he played some characters he sounded like christian bale as batman which was a little funny. Not bad overall, just not the best. I might listen again and would consider other books by this author and narrator. The characters were enjoyable especially Tegan. I received a free review copy of this book at my request and have voluntarily left this review.

Freakish Snowstorm

I love anything supernatural and enjoyed this book. It has police procedures and an evil cult, (monsters from snow and blue creatures and ghosts) in town of Coby. My favorite characters were Kathy Ryan Reece Teagan and Jack Glazier. I was given this free review copy audiobook at my request and have voluntarily left this review. Thank you!

Great story, well written, annoying narrator

My dinging the overall rating is purely because I disliked the narrator so much. I really like this story and the writing is great. An entertaining, gory cosmic horror. I just wish I’d read this one instead of listening. Note to narrators and the producers of these recordings: Please just read the story and stop trying to do accents. And doubly stop having men do female voices in a higher pitch. It just sounds ridiculous. We are intelligent grownups and know when you’re doing dialogue from a woman. Just read it in your own voice. Let our imaginations do the rest. Please.

Chilling Lovecraft style monster story

Being a long addicted horror fan for more than 40 years, I have a huge and rich understanding of what makes a story come together and keep at least my interest. Mary SanGiovanni's Chills novel was just that sort. Good character building, plenty of gruesome and unique deaths, some actually took me by surprise. She started with the small town story plot idea and added the freak cult aspect and their acts in many resulting deaths, frozen territory environment, bizarre and great monster descriptions with a Lovecraft flair and added a true twist to the types of creatures and their capacity for destruction. I was pleasantly engrossed and totally pleased with the entire story development and ending.

Chills

I really enjoyed this book. It started rather well and just kept going in its weird, rolling, chilly way. There were characters that I thought were a little contrived, but it didn't detract from the overall feel and flow of it. I cannot say it is like a lovecraftian tale in the snow, that would not be...valid. But with the cultists and the strange creatures it certainly had a closeness that kindled feelings of old, New England horror. The only issue I had was that the ending seemed rushed. Chris Abell did a good job narrating the tale and I look forward to indulging in more of both Chris' narration and Mary SanGiovanni's stories.

This book was given to me for free at my request for my voluntary and unbiased review.

Chilled to the bone!

Midwest winter snow storms will never look the same to me!
This story is filled with frights, chills, and thrills with gore galore. I loved it!

The narrator does an excellent job of narrating this audible. I'm looking forward to listening to more from this narrator.

I received a copy of this audible free and am thrilled to give my honest unbiased review.

A simple cosmic horror story

it was an OK story, but really lacked any depth. good if you want a popcorn horror story, but not an enthralling tale.

Meh

Story was fairly basic, perfect for teens other than the explicit unnecessary sexual stuff.
Story was entertaining but really had to stick with it to get through some parts. If you’re really bored and have nothing to do or can’t decide on a book, I guess this is ok

Mediocre at best

It should have been good, interesting ideas, but somehow the author lacks the ability to keep us interested. I found my mind wandering, and didn't care enough to go back and see if I missed anything. Conclusion sounds like there will be a next in a series, I won't buy it. Maybe this is a book that should be read.

Awesome Paranormal Horror

I absolutely devoured this book! I love an isolation apocalypse thriller and I currently reside in Connecticut so this one was particularly intriguing for me. The characters felt real to me and even as the paranormal events unfolded, they too felt real. Mary SanGiovanni creates an all encompassing world in this story, with rules of it's own that are rigidly followed making for a cohesive, compelling narrative. I've never read a story that had this exact combination of elements (snow, occult sacrifices, ice monsters, isolation, ancient gods, paranormal powers and a pile of bodies!) and boy, did it work! I enjoyed this story from top to bottom. Chris Abell gives a fantastic voice over performance. I will be seeking out content by both Mary SanGiovanni and Chris Abell in the future!

I was voluntarily provided this free review copy audiobook by the author, narrator, or publisher.