Dream Woods

By: Patrick Lacey

Narrated by: Joe Hempel

Length: 5 hrs and 47 mins

Publisher's summary

When Vince Carter takes a shortcut to work, he notices a billboard that nearly sends him into an oncoming van.

The ad is for Dream Woods, New England's answer to Disney World. It closed decades ago, but now that it's back in business, Vince is eager to take his whole family, hoping the magic he remembers will save his failing marriage.

His wife, Audra, isn't so sure. She's heard the rumors of why the place closed. Murder. Sacrifice. Torture. But those are just urban legends. Surely there's nothing evil about a family tourist attraction.

The Carters are about to discover that the park's employees aren't concerned with their guests' enjoyment. They're interested in something else. Something much more sinister.

©2016 Patrick Lacey (P)2016 Patrick Lacey

Amusement Park USA

Would you listen to Dream Woods again? Why?

I only listen to books once, so no, I wouldn't.

What did you like best about this story?

Creative
Scary
Unique

What does Joe Hempel bring to the story that you wouldn’t experience if you just read the book?

He is one of the best narrators around, and he brings this rather gruesome and scary story to life! Well done!

Was this a book you wanted to listen to all in one sitting?

I would try!

Any additional comments?

I did receive this audiobook from Audioblast in exchange for this review. This is a unique, fun and actually at times creepy offering. It rocks along, has some good humor and some good horror, and is well worth a credit and the time to listen.
Recommended highly.

Very good horror novel

The horror novel is my favorite genre of books. I have read almost everything that Dean Koontz,John Saul, And of course the master Stephen King has ever written. If you are able to overlook a few minor inconsistencies this is a very creepy read and I found it to be very enjoyable. I was voluntarily provided this copy at no cost by the author publisher or narrator

Creepy amusement park

Dream Woods was definitely one of the creepiest books I have ever read about what should be fun an amusement park. The book is really descriptive and fast paced. The book deals with family dysfunction, fear, and learning from the past. I loved how the author broached these subjects. Dream Woods is creative and imaginative with a lot of intrigue. I was hooked and could not stop listening.
I highly recommend this book if you love twisted horror stories. I asked for and received this review audio book copy and I am leaving an honest review of my own volition.

Wild idea!

A really great idea for a novel; got my gears spinning. Good cast of characters. As usual, Joe Hempel put on a perfect performance. If you're looking for a unique bit of horror, check this one out!

Interesting premise for a horror story.

When Vince Carter, former Punk Rocker and now cubicle drone passes by a billboard advertising that Dream Woods, an old New England knockoff of Disneyland, is back open, he gets very excited! He has great memories of visiting there as a child, and figures a family trip there will fix his ailing family, with a discontent wife, one son with Diabetes and the other resentful of his brother getting all the attention. All the wife knows about Dream Woods is the rumors that it was closed down due to murders in the park. So with that in mind, she is pretty reluctant to go, especially amid their marrital issues. Vince talks her into going, and they make the trek. As they arrive, the park is even better than Vince remembers from his childhood. The go to their hotel at the park, themed after the roaring 20s. They even get an upgrade, although Vince's wife is kind of creeped out by the hotel clerk, who just seems off.
They meet another couple at dinner that night, the husband having been to the park as a kid as well. Later that night, as they are in their beds, unbeknownst to them, evil lurks in the heart of the park, and has them in view. So starts a wild horror filled filled Nightmare, where the true purpose of the park comes to the surface, and the workers show their true nature. There is killing and running galore, with sanity stretched to the brink! The park has a much darker purpose, which is explained as the story unfolds and it is crazy. Everyone is at risk, and lives will be lost as reality comes crashing down on the park visitors!
The plot is fast paced and creative, the characters are interesting, and the setting is one of the better ones I've seen in the genre. My only issues with the book are with Vinces wife, who is so unlikable and you kind of wish she gets it from the park. The ending also felt a tad rushed, but that is just my opinion. All in all, a good story with a great setting.
As far as narration, wow! Joe Hempel does an absolutely outstanding job bringing this story to life. He especially rocked it with the two sons voices, and with the various park employees. Overall, a great job, and a book I would recommend!

Great story and fun and fast paced narrative.

What made the experience of listening to Dream Woods the most enjoyable?

The story and narrator. It had a great idea behind it and was told very well. The narrator was able to keep the story moving with the many different voices and emotions felt. There were a couple issues with the story (plot details) that were confusing but all and all, they did not take away from the overall experience.
The first issue, the kids age. The couple found out they were pregnant and a year later they were married and it was six years ago, but the twin boys are written as preteen age.
The second, the mom was talked about by both twins as being a helicopter mom but when weird shit starts happening and she is upset, she tells them to go hang out by the pool cause mommy needs air and then leaves the two (6) year old boys in the room by themselves.
It is possible that I may have missed something that would have explained all this, so if that is the case, then the story was perfect.

What was one of the most memorable moments of Dream Woods?

The description of the dead dream woods park. it was very dark and interesting.

What about Joe Hempel’s performance did you like?

He did a great job of conveying emotion and making the story interesting to listen to.

If you were to make a film of this book, what would the tag line be?

The Happiest Other-Place On Earth!!!

Any additional comments?

I was given a free copy of this audio book by the narrator for a fair and honest review.

Creepy story with great visuals

I will start by saying I am becoming more and more of a fan of Joe Hempel. He always does solid work and does not disappoint yet again.
This was the first book I've experienced from Patrick Lacey. I was pleasantly surprised and will check out some more of his work. I honestly thought during the first half of this book, that it was going to be more of a psychological horror story but the swerve it took was very nicely pulled off.
The descriptions of scenerios and characters was great and easy to picture. The whole atmosphere was creepy throughout and kept me wanting to listen straight through. Hopefully there will be another visit to this universe in the future. Definitely worth the listen.
I was provided a review copy of this audiobook free of charge from the author in exchange for a honest review.

Screamwoods

This audiobook was given to me by the author for an unbiased review of the material.

Good

This book was pretty good. Not very scary, but a little bit freaky. The ending could have been better.

This would be Disney if run by demons

Great for any theme park enthusiast. A wonderfully written macabre tale of theme parks gone horribly wrong. I loved every second of it and wished there was more to it. Great at restoring the nostalgia of childhood visits to theme parks and capturing the way life doesn't always work out as planned and the attempts to recapture that childhood feeling. I was voluntarily provided this free review copy audiobook by the author, narrator, or publisher.