Let's Go Play at the Adams'

By: Mendal W Johnson

Narrated by: Matt Godfrey

Length: 10 hrs and 7 mins

Publisher's Summary

"They're just kids.... It's only a game." That's what Barbara, a lovely 20-year-old babysitter told herself when she awoke bound and gagged. But the knots were tight and painful and the children would not let her go.

"They're just kids.... It's only a game," she told herself again. But the terror was real...and deadly!

In the decades since its original publication, Mendal W. Johnson's best-seller Let's Go Play at the Adams' (1974) has gained a reputation as one of the most harrowing horror novels ever written, and copies have long been unobtainable except at exorbitant prices. Now this first-ever audiobook version of the novel, read by award-winning narrator Matt Godfrey, adds a new dimension of horror to this cult masterpiece.

©2020 Mendal W. Johnson (P)2020 Valancourt Books LLC

Shock Value Depravity

This book was probably edgy for its time when it first came out decades ago, but it has little value beyond the depravity.

My biggest problem with this book is that the author didn't convince me that children were capable of performing these horrific acts and either not turning on each other and going to the authorities or getting caught. The only character whose psychology fits his actions is the psychopathic Paul. The other children seem far too normal to be kidnappers, torturers, and murderers.

Performance wise Matt Godfrey is at his weakest here given the source material. I usually like this narrator in the other books he has done. However his impression of distressed/complaining/whiney female character is grating and almost unbearable. There is a lot of that in this book considering its about the kidnapping/torture of a young woman

It’s just a game

A group of kids tie up their babysitters so they can do what they want over summer vacation
Not as brutal as the girl next-door but still a great read
Well narrated and highly recommended
I received a free review audiobook and voluntarily left this review

Great performance

But only a mediocre story. Read Ketchum’s Girl Next Door if you want to read a torture story that actually reveals something about the darkness of human nature.

At a loss for words

I do not know what to say except holy terror and yes it could happen This has chilled me even though I’ve known demons large and smal and understand depravity has no age and the masses move as one without so much as a thought of questioning or ceasing, even though all of that is true, I like Barbara cannot believe it

Fantastic but unnerving

Spectacular read but extremely uncomfortable and unsettling. The author does a fantastic job writing from the children's perspective. Extremely relatable as the kids go through normal childhood. Utterly terrifying situations. Definitely a read it once and never again!

Distrubing

Wow, that was a very disturbing book and the narration was great too. I loved it.

Wow

It’s honestly the worst book I’ve ever gone through. I got no enjoyment out of any minute.

Well written and narrated

This was a very disturbing book especially considering when it was written.
Right from the beginning we are thrown into this and feel bad for Barbara. I thought the book was written well and believable enough. The book did not end how I expected it too and I did like that.

Will I read it again? No, one read from a book like this is enough.

Seemingly pointless

Reads as though projections of authors own personal desires rather than an attempt at horror. Drags on and overall quite a waste of time.

Disturbing

This book is what the movie Funny Games COULD have been. A simple, albeit horrific, story, written in an artful manner. Disturbing in that I have met each of these kids throughout my life, and it's not difficult to imagine this sort of thing having actually happened had those kids been known contemporaries of each other...and I'd be willing to bet that those stars have lined up perfectly on more than a few occasions throughout history. ...disturbing. *shudder*

wasn't that bad don't know what the hype is about

only gd thing was Matt narrative top notch again !!! boring book tho was dissapointed badly ,onto the next I guess .......return plz !!!

Heartbreaking. Well read

Tamer version of Jack ketchum girl next door. Great story but very sad.
Really well read.

That ending!?!?!?! Wowza

This was a great (but hard) listen. I'm immune to most stuff. Not much gets to me. But that ending. I felt like I could see and feel through Barbara.
Children tie up and torture their babysitter while their parents are out of town. Sounds like something that could happen in real life. It felt so real. That's a sign of a great book

The product of a disturbed mind

I first came across the book years ago... I only read part of it, meaning to finish it later. However, the book went missing and I couldn't find a replacement. I looked on and off over the years but I came to be under the impression that it had been banned. Eventually, just out of interest I searched on Kindle and saw there was an audible version so I downloaded it. I regret having done so! I should have left this novel where it was, in my distant memory. It is one of the most disturbing things I have ever listened to. I've done Dracula, most of Lovecraft, Poe, Dunsany and been satisfyingly shocked. I've even read The Execution of Damiens and seen films like Eden Lake and The Last House on the Left but NEVER have I been so sickened by this exercise in twisted writing. Mendal Johnson is a SADIST by proxy.

Wow

A true classic, turmoil and suspense, a brilliant performance that keeps you hanging on every word