If It Bleeds

Mr. Harrigan's Phone, The Life of Chuck, If It Bleeds, Rat

By: Stephen King

Narrated by: Will Patton, Danny Burstein, Steven Weber

Number one New York Times best seller

From the legendary storyteller and master of short fiction Stephen King comes an extraordinary collection of four new “exceptionally compelling novellas that reaffirm [King’s] mastery of the form” (The Washington Post).

Readers adore Stephen King’s novels, and his novellas are their own dark treat, briefer but just as impactful and enduring as his longer fiction. Many of his novellas have been made into iconic films, including The Body (Stand by Me) and Rita Hayworth and Shawshank Redemption (Shawshank Redemption).

Four brilliant new tales in If It Bleeds are sure to prove as iconic as their predecessors. Once again, King’s remarkable range is on full display. In the title story, fan-favorite Holly Gibney (from the Mr. Mercedes trilogy and The Outsider) must face her fears and possibly another outsider - this time on her own. In Mr. Harrigan’s Phone an intergenerational friendship has a disturbing afterlife. The Life of Chuck explores, beautifully, how each of us contains multitudes. And in Rat, a struggling writer must contend with the darker side of ambition.

If these novellas show King’s range, they also prove that certain themes endure. One of King’s great concerns is evil, and in If It Bleeds, there’s plenty of it. There is also evil’s opposite, which in King’s fiction often manifests as friendship. Holly is reminded that friendship is not only life-affirming but can be life-saving. Young Craig befriends Mr. Harrigan, and the sweetness of this late-in-life connection is its own reward.

“Exactly what I wanted to read right now,” said Ruth Franklin in a rave on the cover of The New York Times Book Review. “Phenomenal," said Brian Truitt in USA Today. “King still owns the fright business like none other.”

©2020 Stephen King (P)2020 Simon & Schuster Audio

Fantastic Book

I lived this book of short stories. Some were truly scary! I was also happy to have another installment of Holly! I also loved that some of Stephen King's narrators from some of his other books narrated this book. Was like finding a well loved purse in the back of the closet and finding a $20 in the pocket.

King Does It Again!

Loved it. Stephen King is a master story teller. I loved all these stories. Holly is still my favorite.

Classing King

A good collection of stories. I definitely enjoyed "If It Bleeds". Aside from one, all other stories were quite entertaining. Would definitely recommend.

Excellent book! My second favorite SK collection

Mr. Harrigan’s Phone
I love this book! Stephen King did such a great job and telling the story. It’s been a while since I’ve listened to a King story and I realize just how much I missed reading his wonderful and kind of creepy stories.

The Life Of Chuck
This was good but not great. The premise and idea were there, but it failed on the execution. The story came across disjointed. Great idea, but the weakest story of the bunch.
If It Bleeds
I love this story! This was a great outsider part two let’s say. I read some reviews knocking it, but this was an amazing story to me!

Rat
I loved this. It was kind of a take on the Monkey’s Paw. I loved the theme of, “What’s the price of creativity?”

Holly Gibney is KING (Queen)

First story is really good as is the last.
The Chuck story is so so but entertaining…but any fan of Mr. Mercedes and/or The Outsider must read “If It Bleeds”…I wanted a full novel but I’ll take what I can get. LOVED IT

Great read!

Stories were great. Performances compelling. Mr. Harrigans phone was my favorite. Love King's short stories.

As Always

enjoyable tales, well written, excellent narrators, good to see favorite characters again, and as always, I am far from disappointed.

Stephen King never disappoints

Be it long form novels, short stories, or something in between, If It Bleeds once again shows the master at his best.

Will is the best.

Very much enjoyed If It Bleeds. The other stories were good, not great. But def worth the purchase.

Incredible as expected!

I hope King finds a way to cheat death and keep putting out great works like this forever!...im hooked and left waiting for the next new work...instant horror classic! I love the Mr Mercedes world and all the stories there...Holly is such a rich character and has developed nicely!!! Highly recommend!!!