Skull Session

By: Daniel Hecht

Narrated by: Christopher Lane

Length: 17 hrs and 24 mins

Publisher's summary

Despite his brilliance, Paul Skoglund hasn't held a steady job for years, partly because of his Tourette's syndrome, a neurological disorder that forces his body into wild swings and to blurt out words that are hilariously, often tragically, inappropriate.

When his eccentric, wealthy aunt asks him to take on the repairs of her magnificent hunting lodge, he is in no position to refuse. But inside the lodge lies a scene of almost superhuman destruction: a violence now mirrored by a series of disappearances and deaths haunting the region. As Paul delves into the wreckage, he can't help but wonder what dark passion, and what strength, could cause such chaos.

Janet, Paul's icy ex-wife, plans to use his condition to wrest away custody of their young son. And in his otherwise uncertain world, Paul is sure of one thing: nothing and no one is going to come between him and Mark. But quickening events lead him deeper into his family's past, and as Paul faces the darker aspects of his own nature, he must brave the possibility that in saving those he loves, he might well destroy himself.

©1998 Daniel Hecht (P)2005 Blackstone Audiobooks

Critic reviews

"A narrative that's populated by believable characters and infused with healthy doses of medical science and psychology. Skull Session is a story that keeps the reader guessing till the very end." (The New York Times Book Review)

Playing with my head

This author really tied his story together...kept me in suspense throughout. The research and factual information challenged the readers intelligence and enhanced the pleasure. Iwas just a tiny small bit dissapointed by the ending...But as soon as I finished I listened to Hecht's book Land of the Echos....Just as riveting.!!
I hope this author ....KEEPS BRINGING THEM ON...What a wonderful mind.

One of my all-time favorites

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

I have recommended this book to many friends and family because it is such a great book. It is a glimpse into mental illness and how people function with the issues it creates.
There is a love story, so tender it brings tears (good ones), and a creepy mystery with a total surprise of an ending.

Who was your favorite character and why?

Paul, the hero. He is damaged but a wonderful person. He is also so strong and determined. He develops well throughout the story and by the end, he's someone I would love to know.

What does Christopher Lane bring to the story that you wouldn’t experience if you just read the book?

Christopher Land brings wonderful characterization and the perfect tone to the story. After listening to him read this book, he became one of my favorite readers. I enjoy every book he reads and I'm sure it's because of his skills as a reader.

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

Yes!! I have listened to this book many times and it's always great. The characters are well developed to the point I miss them when I finish the book. I have read all of Daniel Hecht's books. I would love it if he wrote more.

Any additional comments?

This is a fascinating, well-read book. It is well worth the credit and the time!

Friedrich Nietzsche’s Superhuman

A great read. Loved the entire story and the narrator was awesome.
Rest it with great interest!

Skull...Duggery

Daniel Hecht has written a brilliant, innovative and spine tingling novel laying bare the "tics" that live within all of us. Using neurological disorders, chiefly Tourette's Syndrome, to explore the demons that we let control us, Hecht has created Paulie, perhaps the most frightening yet enlightening hero in modern literature. And the story is populated with memorable and heartbreaking characters. Read this book; you will be permanently changed for the better.

Second time listening,, even better!

Totally captivated by story and narrator. I never read or watch a movie twice . I think in a year I could hear this a third time . Fixation on women tiring ,only fault.
Please give us more stories.

So Enjoyable

I felt like I was invited into the lives of the characters in the story.

Terrible Ending Mars Atmospheric Thriller

The first 2/3 of the book is well-written with complex and evolving characters. Yet, as the story reaches its deeply unsatisfying and in-credible resolution, the author bogs down the plot with endless pages of scientific theory. In the end, the author creates complex characters either to abandon them entirely or have them behave in ways that don't seem to fit who we expect them to be. This is a long audiobook - three parts - and frankly, after investing so much time in it, I felt gypped by the last disappointing hour of the story.

A Very Different View

I really liked this. There's a bit TMI about brain chemistry, but it went to places I really didn''t expect. I really found it compelling,even with the over exposure on the science,

You're going to like this one..

if you like a weird mix of science, science fiction, mystery and good story telling. Hopefully this reading does justice to the creative mind that wrote it. Check out other books by this author too.

Never gets old...

I have listened to this book several times over the years and I have never tired of the story or characters. So if you are just considering it ....go ahead you are in for a treat.