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Little Dead Red  By  cover art

Little Dead Red

By: Mercedes M. Yardley
Narrated by: Joe Hempel
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Publisher's summary

The wolf is roaming the city in this Bram Stoker Award-winning tale, and he must be stopped.

Grim Marie knows far too much about the wolves of the world, a world where little girls go missing. After all, she had married one before he showed his claws, and what that wolf did to her little girl was unforgiveable. Grim Marie isn't certain if she can ever forgive herself for putting her Little Aleta in harm's way.

When Grandmother becomes ill, Aleta offers to take the bus through the concrete forest to Grandmother's house to bring her some goodies. She knows the way. What could possibly go wrong?

In this modern-day retelling of Little Red Riding Hood, the wolf takes to the city streets to capture his prey, but the hunter is close behind him. With Grim Marie on the prowl, the hunter becomes the hunted. Wolves pad through the darkest kind of fairy tale - one that can come true.

Proudly brought to you by Crystal Lake Publishing.

©2015 Crystal Lake Publishing (P)2016 Crystal Lake Publishing

What listeners say about Little Dead Red

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What a hard hitter for an hour and a half audioboo

What a hard hitter for an hour and a half audiobook!

I read somewhere that the big bad wolf was a metaphor for a sexual predator, a cautionary tale to teach little girls to stay away from strangers.
Mercedes M Yardley has clearly heard that too, her story is full of wolves that circle innocent little girls.

In this story, a little girl catches a bus to take some soup and goodies to her ailing grandmother in hospital. She never makes it to the hospital and she’s never seen alive again.

Her mother, Marie, is all alone in the world now and will do whatever it takes to find out what kind of human monster would murder a little girl in such a brutal fashion. She’s seen ‘wolves’ before, the kind who abuse children, and recognises the look of a person who’s prepared to do evil things to get their way. Now, she’s ready to become a ‘wolf’ herself and start dishing out the pain to make sure her daughter is avenged.

This story is dark and twisted, it’s brutal as it tells you of the pain a mother feels at knowing that her twelve-year-old daughter was torn apart. This is the kind of horror that you can’t really turn away from – it’s not zombies, demons or something that goes bump in the night – it’s the grief of a parent. Frankly, it’s the scariest thing I can think of.

Joe Hempel did an excellent job, keeping the pace going and packing in as much emotion as possible in an already dark and emotional story, I can’t imagine a better format for this story than in audio – Hempel is a talented storyteller and brought something extra to the table by narrating this.

I can’t give anything away but I beg that you listen to this story if you like dark fiction, it’ll blow your mind. The ending was like a sledgehammer between the eyes and will keep this book firmly stuck in my mind, possibly forever.

Audiobook was provided for review by the narrator.

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

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One of the darkest stories I've ever experienced.

Would you consider the audio edition of Little Dead Red to be better than the print version?

How one prefers to experience a story is entirely subjective. That said, I think Joe Hempel's delivery of the story really enhances the book in a lot of ways. He puts a lot of emotion into the dialogue, especially from Grim Marie's point of view, and that emotion goes a long way in adding an entirely new dimension to her character. So, if you're the sort who prefers audio editions, you can't go wrong with this one. It's top-notch all the way, and you'll feel the emotional impact in your bones.

What did you like best about this story?

I loved the darkness of it. Like Yardley's other fiction, this story is disarming in its simplicity. It draws you in as a modern retelling of the Little Red Riding Hood fairy tale, with a mother grieving over the loss of her child, and then it takes you by the hand, around a corner, and into a dark place where it has its way with you. This story made me feel like I needed a shower. I felt dirty and hopeless from listening to it, and I mean that in the absolute best way I can. What I'm trying to say is that this story affected me deeply. Hours later, I'm still thinking about it. It's absolutely gutting.

Which character – as performed by Joe Hempel – was your favorite?

Definitely Grim Marie. His performance of this grieving mother hellbent on revenge was definitely a standout. I felt her sorrow and agony, I felt her rage, and I felt her complete hopelessness. He did an incredible job with the whole narrative, but Grim Marie definitely stood out.

Was there a moment in the book that particularly moved you?

The ending. My God, that ending. It was a complete sucker punch.

Any additional comments?

You can't go wrong with a story by Mercedes M. Yardley, and you can't go wrong with something narrated by Joe Hempel. This novella offers the best of both.

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4 people found this helpful

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HELL YES

Any additional comments?

It is a rare occasion when a horror book (or books in general, for that matter) successfully surprise me. "Little Dead Red" accomplished this difficult feat! Without spoiling any of the fun, I'll simply say, this is an astounding modern take on the Little Red Riding hood story, set squarely in the horror genre. I loved it. Would definitely read this again!!

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

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Great twisted short horror novella.

I'm not usually into horror stories, but the combo of Mercedes Yardley and Joe Hempel was an irresistible draw. Glad I requested this, because it was so well written, so fantastically worded, plotted and paced that I could not stop listening. When a mother loses her child to a butchering murder, she hatches a plan to catch him. She finds who she believes is the murderer, and does the unthinkable to get evidence. Is this man the killer? Well, the evidence will tell. With a rather wild twist ending I didnt see coming, this was a was completely wicked tale. I cant recommend it enough, and Joe Hempel's always excellent narration just made it that much better. Prepare to be shock and awed by this one.

I was voluntarily given a reveiw copy of this audiobook by the narrator through Audiobookboom.

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Shocking Ending

I really enjoyed this short dark and disturbing book shows how far a mother will go to revenge her child by a pedophile with shocking ending. My only complaint I did not want it to end but definitely recommend it. Narration was great. I was voluntarily provided this free review copy audiobook by the author, narrator, or publisher. THANK YOU!

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    4 out of 5 stars
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Dark but compelling tale

This is a very fractured, disturbing but strangely compelling Little Red Riding Hood retelling. It tells a tale of child abuse, abduction, murder and the devastating effect it has on all concerned. Guilt, sorrow, anger, abuse and desperation fill this short but impactful audiobook. The narrator does a skilled job of making the listener feel the emotion and desolation in this sad, strange little story. You becomes lost in the disturbing minds of these characters and are left feeling bereft and saddened at its end. I received the audiobook at no cost and under no obligation.

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wonderfully creepy and gruesome

the story gave the willys as a good creepy read should. I was pleased with the ending as well.*cue the evil cackle muhahhaha. one of the better narrators I've heard as well.

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Dark, Disjointed, Disturbing... Delightful!

I waffled between four and five stars on this. I really wish most places rated on a ten-scale system, as I would give this a solid 4.5. Mr. Hempel's narration was spot on and perfect. His voice drew me into this dark tale about grief and the want for justice and revenge.The story itself was a little disjointed, which made it a touch hard to listen to at time, but it was entirely appropriate for the mood. At points, the lead character Marie, was on the point of sliding into insanity, sort of skirting the edges as she grieved for her murdered child, and burned to see justice done. I enjoyed the tale immensely as it was dark, but it was very sad. Very, very sad. I can't give out too many details of WHY I found it so sad because it would give away spoilers, and that I do not want to do. Why not five stars then? That disjointed-ness which added to the mood detracted from story, weirdly enough. In places, it seemed... too... overwrought? Which I can understand a parent grieving, but it was just a bit too much for me.

However, this is a stellar story, and, while I might have had a little trouble here and there, overall, it was a grim, dark, and delightful tale and it definitely has enticed me to check out the rest of the author's offerings.

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A Hard Core Take On Little Red Riding Hood

We all have read or heard the story of Little Red Riding Hood, but I’m willing to bet you haven’t heard author, Mercedes M. Yardley’s take on it. Ms. Yardley’s short story re-imagines the classic tale into a very dark, modern day tragedy with a twisted ending.

“Little Red Dead” is an excellent short story with the audio version delivered with his usual high level of quality by narrator Joe Hempel. Without consciously trying to, I find I have collected a lot of books that were narrated by Mr. Hempel. He always does a wonderful job with whatever material he’s working with.

Finally, this audio book was provided by the narrator at no cost in exchange for an honest review, courtesy of Audio Book Boom.

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Dark take on Little Red Riding Hood

I was given this audio book free of charge so that I could listen and provide an honest review. Enjoyable short story which takes the somewhat dark tale of Little Red Riding Hood a step further into Darkness. Well written and Joe Hempel did a wonderful job of narrating even though the main character was female. Credit worthy listen!

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