Black Machetes

By: R.K. Howard

Narrated by: Punch Audio, Peter Berkrot

Length: 10 hrs and 28 mins

Publisher's summary

Pure evil collides head on with innocent hope in this edgy, addictive, and controversial novel that listeners agree would make a great movie on the big screen.

Two evil psychopaths in an East Texas town torture and kill with no consequence until the one that got away finally returns to take matters into his own hands.

Benjamin Wilder grew up with sparse shelter, infested provisions, and constant abuse dealt to him by his stepfather, Jessup - aka the Rabid Dog. Without a sober mother to defend him from the Rabid Dog's wrath, Ben finds reprieve and adventure in a club of misfit boys called the Black Machetes. But the world as Ben knows it comes to an end when he witnesses an act so psychologically appalling that it forces him to run for his life. He travels as far away as he can until fate steps in and guides him to a small town where he finds the help he needs to assume a new identity and live a life he could only imagine before.

Years after trying to bury the demons from his past, Ben seems finally ready to settle into a sense of normalcy. But his world continually gets turned upside down by a series of discoveries, revealing that the evil from his childhood has never stopped cursing him - having over the years destroyed everyone he ever cared for. When the ticking time bomb within Ben’s psyche finally detonates with a fumed vengeance, it pushes his wife and unborn child into the very clutches of the same malevolence that has forever haunted him. In the end Ben must again face those demons from his past in order to save his true love and, ultimately, his own sanity.

©2014 R.K. Howard (P)2016 R.K. Howard

A True Psychological Thriller!!!

Would you consider the audio edition of Black Machetes to be better than the print version?

I have not read the print version, therefore I cannot compare.

What other book might you compare Black Machetes to and why?

There is no other book that I have read that can compare to Black Machetes! This book is like no other that I have read. This is the epitomy of what a Psychological Thriller is and should be. R.K. Howard and Peter Berkrot kept me intrigued and always wanting more. I did not want to stop listening. I listened at work, in my car and before I went to bed.

What does Punch Audio and Peter Berkrot bring to the story that you wouldn’t experience if you just read the book?

I haven't read the physical book but Peter Berkrot brought this audiobook to a level I have never experienced before. He was able to make the book so real that I was able to picture the scenes and I did not have to use my imagination at all. It was completely done for me. Sometimes, I felt he did it to well if that is even possible.

Any additional comments?

"This audiobook was provided by the author, narrator, or publisher at no cost in exchange for an unbiased review courtesy of AudiobookBoom dot com."

Five star read

This book is a must read it is so good that once I started reading it I could not put it down. At the core of the book is a story of a young boy trying to overcome his dysfunctional childhood. This is not a feel good book but it is a very touching book. I received this book at no cost to me from the writer, publisher or narrator for a honest review

LOVE, LOVE, LOVED THIS BOOK!

This book pretty much touches every topic from child abuse, kidnapping, rape, murder and some. Not only did I enjoy every character (and there are many), I loved hating the two horrible characters through out the story. Such GREAT stories upon stories that all tie into one. Relationships upon relationships that all tie in to each other. Then the most shocking connection at the end that I never seen coming.

"This audiobook was given by the author, narrator, or publisher at no cost in exchange for an unbiased review via Audiobook Boom."

Psychological Thriller Revenge

If you could sum up Black Machetes in three words, what would they be?

Revenge. Despair Hope

Who was your favorite character and why?

The Protagonist Ben River nee Wilder

What does Punch Audio and Peter Berkrot bring to the story that you wouldn’t experience if you just read the book?

I haven't read the book but definitely will based on my experience with this audio book! The narration brought the story to life and made a good story more compelling.

Did you have an extreme reaction to this book? Did it make you laugh or cry?

Anger at the abuse by "the Rabid Dog". Empathy with Ben and other characters. And satisfaction at how Ben was able to salvage his life and finally I felt pleased with the revenge exacted.

Any additional comments?

I was hooked from start to finish by the characters throught this story and by R.K. Howard's narration!

Thank you for making this available for review.

This audiobook was provided by the author, narrator, or publisher at no cost in exchange for an unbiased review courtesy of AudiobookBoom dot com.

Worth The Credit!!

Any additional comments?

Really good intense, gritty and disturbing.

A well written dark, intense and twisted story not for the faint of heart, squeamish or those easily offended. This book covers a variety of vile acts such as rape, murder, kidnapping and child abuse to name a few. So be forewarned. I had to stop my ipod several times and take a breath before continuing. The story pulls you in quickly and once you start listening you can't stop.

The story continually moves forward through a roller-coaster of events that effect all of the Black Machetes in different ways. Despair, heartbreak, hope, humor, survival, suspense and triumph. You can't help but get emotionally attached to Ben, Octavio, Demarcus and Scooter. While this is a hard story to listen to at times, it is well worth your time.

R.K Howard you have gained another fan and I will definitely be putting you on my list of authors I recommend.

Peter Berkrot did an awesome job with the narration. Great voice's for all the character's. He didn't just read the story, he made the character's and their emotions come to life. He is one of the best narrator's I have listened to. It was scary how well he portrayed the Rabid Dog and Wade.

This audiobook was provided by the author, narrator or publisher at no cost in exchange for an unbiased review courtesy of AudiobookBoom

Rough Life

Would you recommend this audiobook to a friend? If so, why?

This book had a lot of good stories of one boy/man's life woven together over a decade or so. Many illustrations of how insane people can be and how to try to be in the same world with them. Overall a good read. The narrator was pretty good as well.

Any additional comments?

“This audiobook was given by the author, narrator, or publisher at no cost in exchange for an unbiased review via Audiobook Boom.”

Great Thriller

This is the second book I listen too by the author. I say this is GREAT. It is well written, started out it reminded me of The Stand but it is more horrific, dark and brutal. The characters are great and memorable. If you enjoy a good physiological thriller LISTEN, I recommended this one. This audiobook was given by the author, narrator, or publisher at no cost in exchange for an unbiased review via Audiobook Boom. Thank you!!

Well that accelerated quickly

Any additional comments?

There are a few plot weaknesses in the story, but as an overall tale it's fascinating and believable.

Dark and Terrifying Thriller

Where does Black Machetes rank among all the audiobooks you’ve listened to so far?

In the top 15 books for sure.

Did the plot keep you on the edge of your seat? How?

The characters and plot were intertwined very well to make this an edge of the seat thriller. The plot kept changing, keeping me hooked.

Have you listened to any of Punch Audio and Peter Berkrot ’s other performances before? How does this one compare?

I haven't but I would love to.

Any additional comments?

I was provided this audiobook at no charge by the author, publisher and/or narrator in exchange for an unbiased review via AudiobookBlast dot com

A secret dying to get out!

Would you listen to Black Machetes again? Why?

I don't listen to books twice, so no.

What did you like best about this story?

How surprising it was. Not the normal genre I follow to be sure, and the story didn't go where I thought it would end up. Very unusual and a fascinating character study.

Which character – as performed by Punch Audio and Peter Berkrot – was your favorite?

Orlando was a compelling character.

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

Too long for that, but i certainly tried!

Any additional comments?

I was provided this book by Audioblast in exchange for a fair and unbiased review.I am glad I was. This is an outstanding offering, which has plot turns, some violence and drama, and genuine character development. It is not for the squeamish to be sure, and it is definitely and adult novel.I highly recommend this. Potentially one of the best of the year so far. Get it and enjoy it.