High Moor

By: Graeme Reynolds

Narrated by: Chris Barnes

Length: 7 hrs and 17 mins

Publisher's summary

When John Simpson hears of a bizarre animal attack in his old home town of High Moor, it stirs memories of a long forgotten horror. John knows the truth. A werewolf stalks the town once more, and on the night of the next full moon, the killing will begin again. He should know. He survived a werewolf attack in 1986, during the worst year of his life. It's 1986 and the town is gripped in terror after the mutilated corpse of a young boy is found in the woods. When Sergeant Steven Wilkinson begins an investigation, with the help of a specialist hunter, he soon realises that this is no ordinary animal attack. Werewolves are real, and the trail of bodies is just beginning, with young John and his friends smack in the middle of it. Twenty years later, John returns to High Moor. The latest attack involved one of his childhood enemies, but there's more going on than meets the eye. The consequences of his past actions, the reappearance of an old flame and a dying man who will either save or damn him, are the least of his problems. The night of the full moon is approaching and time is running out. But how can he hope to stop a werewolf, when every full moon he transforms into a bloodthirsty monster himself?

©2011 Graeme Reynolds (P)2017 Graeme Reynolds

High Moor

I enjoyed this book. it was full of adventure,werewolf fights,etc. Narration was very good.I'm glad I picked it to read.

Good Werewolf Story but…

… struggles a bit with format, narration choice, and minor characters. First format, the continual announcements of date and time are jarring and break the flow of the narrative. If we were reading a police report. It would make sense. However tacked on like this, it’s just annoying.

Second, while surprising and entertaining at first, the heavy brogue of the narrator is hard to follow. You get used to it, but I don’t know that it added anything to the telling. I think it might have been better confined to dialogue. Still, it was different, so I’m not sure it’s a fault. I mention it so that readers will be aware. Tough it out, you’ll adjust. The story is good enough to make the effort.

Finally, character choices on the supporting characters are laughable in places. Example, John’s mom sees her son change, almost gets killed, but then argues with her husband about leaving their home. It’s patently ridiculous and that’s just one example. The main characters don’t suffer from these silly choices. Still, I broke into actual laughter at points because reactions to circumstances were so unbelievable.

That’s a lot of criticism, but let’s be clear. High Moor is an excellent callback to real werewolf stories like Stephen King’s “Cycle of the Werewolf” and Gary Bradner’s “The Howling”. There’s no paranormal romance angle. There’s no teen age angst. There just the horror of a beast out of control, and the people it stalks. It pulls no punches. Everyone is up for grabs (or bites) main characters included. It makes homages to genre tropes but also more modern interpretations. Three distinct takes on the werewolf are explored and combined. It’s really well done, I enjoyed it immensely. If you’re tired of today’s paranormal tripe and you want a piece of raw Werewolf horror, this is your book.

Definitely a great werewolf story

No PNR romance here (ok maybe a little but I digress), just a great classic werewolf story in the vein of the 80's movie "American Werewolf in London" - guy gets bit as a youth and finds himself immersed in a new world.
The author doesn't hold back on the gore and it's everything you'd expect from a well written werewolf horror story.

A True Werewolf Horror Story!

When Chris Barnes told me about his new production I was a bit skeptical, werewolves are very similar to vampires to me and either the story is going to be really horrible or really fantastic. As I have said in some earlier reviews, the whole Twilight thing kind of ruined them for me. I have the expectations built up in my head of what a proper werewolf or vampire story should sound, feel and look like and it is pretty difficult for people meet them. With werewolves I want the following; heart pounding action (of course), a gruesome story line, interesting characters, a reason for the story to go on, ect. So again I find myself taking a chance with High Moor but I am hopeful.

High Moor is nothing near a twighlighted, glittery, cuddly, lovey dovey werewolf novel. In fact it is a complete opposite, this was an extreme, holy crap don't turn the lights off, werewolf horror story, and I loved it! Starts off strong and backs a way just a little bit for some very interesting back story of how one of the main protagonists becomes a werewolf. Then Graeme Reynolds unleashes hell upon the small town of High Moor. This is the first audiobook in a while were I actually felt something for, or connected with most of the characters, that's what happens when an author builds them up layer by layer until some are complex "real" people. While not nearly as gory as you might think from my opening sentence, don't get me wrong there was blood and gore, I mean werewolves, but it was only used to enhance the action. I know there are squeals to the print version, I so hope that audio version are made of them as I think anyone that listens to this first one will be hooked.

This is my second time listening to a performance by Chris Barnes, my first being The Cold Beneath. Sadly I couldn't remember what I thought of the previous narration, and within the first 10 seconds of High Moor I remembered. To be honest, because of his thick accent I couldn't understand a word he was saying because I was expecting something much further than what I got. Gladly within those first 10-20 seconds, I had already adjusted and he became very clear. Barnes style very very fast paced, some could argue too fast, with hardly a breath between the last word of a chapter and the announcement of the next, but for this story, he nailed it. Keeping the pacing fast kept the tension level pretty high and I think this helped the story never let up. That mixed with great characterizations, my personal favorite was the American, nailed it! I have become a fan of Barnes and will be looking for more.

Audiobook was provided for review by the narrator.

Please find this complete review and many others at my review blog

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A highland horror

A truly enjoyable werewolf thriller, Graeme Reynolds starts off strong in the first book of his High Moor trilogy, coupled with Chris Barnes who does a bang up job on narration with a strong Scottish burr I think that it honestly is worth a listen, looking forward to the next book already.

Better than expected

A little gem of a werewolf story that reads like the lost script of a solid early 2000’s movie. Found the narrator to be an acquired taste that oddly fits the setting and characters. Overall, it may have some plot points that seem to come from a bad monster movie…but these story beats add to the allure of the world.
If I had to rate it, it’s probably above average.

If you crave a great werewolf experience, look no further! This delivers!

Werewolf mongers beware! Raw, gruesome beasts still exist among us with the feral attitudes of old. Unpredictable events keep the storyline fresh and interesting. The narrator’s accent compliments the background setting and really brings the characters authenticity and depth- highly recommend this read!

This book was (grrayght “Scottish brogue accent”)

Really enjoyed this. Just bought the second! It’s what a werewolf story should be. I listened to it all day at work and have to admit I was looking over my shoulder when I got home late at night. As I got home and out of my car to walk inside. I thought to myself “High moor 22 hundred hours” and then goosed it inside.

It was exciting

I liked how it was surprising at every turn. Not a typical story. You never knew what would happen! Also, the author gives us the classic werewolf! Terrifying, vicious, and none of that romantic nonsense. And no giant regular wolf. Those are lame a well! Old school, massive, bipedal, raging beasts! Love it!!!!!

Keep Listening... It Really Gets Going!

I was a little underwhelmed the first hour or so as they set up the characters. But holy crap... when things start to happen this is one of the most entertaining monster stories I've experienced.