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The Kolchak Collection  By  cover art

The Kolchak Collection

By: Jeff Rice, Joe Gentile, C. J. Henderson
Narrated by: Johnny Heller
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Publisher's summary

The Kolchak Papers: The Original Novels by Jeff Rice

In 1972, Jeff Rice's novel The Night Stalker introduced Carl Kolchak to the world. This spine-tingling novel of supernatural terror became an instant best seller and served as the basis for the film of the same name. After The Night Stalker became one of the highest rated television movies of all time, a sequel, The Night Strangler, was released the following year to great acclaim. Now, after more than three decades out of print, The Night Stalker and The Night Strangler are together in one volume.

Cry of Thunder: Sherlock Holmes & Kolchak the Night Stalker by Joe Gentile

Two of the most unique investigators of all time try to untangle the same mystery, 100 years apart from each other. Set in the lawless Wild West, the hidden world of Victorian London, and the present-day hell of Hollywood, Cry of Thunder: Sherlock Holmes & Kolchak the Night Stalker follows Holmes' trail of a man who was wrongfully - and willingly - imprisoned; a shocking New World Order anarchy; a beautiful woman who needs Kolchak to delve into the surreal past; and the shunned man who holds the key.

Kolchak and the Lost World by C. J. Henderson

After convincing a serial killer to confess, newspaper reporter Kolchak is offered an international assignment with massive coverage around the world. With fame and fortune finally within reach, he's ready to cover the story - until he's confronted by a mysterious monk who warns him that "the 72 must always be". What this means is not explained. But before he knows it, Kolchak's dreams are invaded by inexplicable images warning him that every step he takes toward the big story is bringing him closer to death.

©2016 C. J. Henderson and Jeff Rice (P)2016 Blackstone Audio, Inc.

What listeners say about The Kolchak Collection

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Mostly Good

The first two stories are enjoyable... Especially the first/original, if you're a fan of the hard bitten investigator tilting at windmills, a child of the 60's/70's, and/or a died in the wool Kolchak fan... Good stories in their style, and I've been waiting for years for them to be back in print, and I wasn't disappointed, nor was the wait unrewarded... The 2nd pair of stories were disappointing and not terribly interesting... They didn't seem to have any focus, and were vague in plot... The narration is absolutely expert and contributed to a positive reading... I could see Kolchak as he was reading... Perfect!! Had the latter stories been left off the narration woulda made this a 4* offering...

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15 people found this helpful

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The original Kolchak novels plus more

This collection includes the two original Kolchak novels by Jeff rice. These are excellent stories and were among the original monster chasing reporter stories that later influenced such works as the X files. There are also two extra novels, written after the fact by others. These are a bit of a mixed bag. They have their good points, but they feel a little shopworn. Nonetheless it’s a great collection and a very good value.

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10 people found this helpful

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Darren McGavin is missed.

The only way this could have been better is if they could have gotten the late Darren McGavin to read it.

As it was, Johnny Heller did a fine job.

There were times I could almost imagine how Darren McGavin would have provided the performance and he is missed.

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9 people found this helpful

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Narrator not so good

The guy that reads these stories has a weak voice and is annoying. You would think they would have gotten someone with vocal qualities closer to McGavin than the direction they went in. Sorry but it really detracts from the tale to a point that it almost makes me want to quit the story.

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ABSOLUTLY CLASSIC

This reading was second to none. Johnny Heller is now my favorite voice for Kolchak. The sherlock portions were very well done but that book in particular ended with ALOT of loose ends. other than that everything in this collection is top notch

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Just... wow.

First off, I'm pretty new to Kolchak on the whole. I've seen one episode of the TV series, and haven't seen either of the movies that were based on the first two books in this collection. But they are fantastic. The other stories that come after are great as well. Particularly, Kolchak and the Lost World was chilling in its climax.

As for the narrator, I think Darrin McGavin (who portrayed Carl Kolchak in both movies and the series) would be quite pleased with his performance.

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Glad I got it, but...

The first two books in this collection are very good. Being the original Kolchak stories, that makes sense. The remaining two books come across as fan fiction of moderate quality. Plot holes, mischaracterizations and rather lazy story telling plague both. Still, I’m glad I got this collection for the two originals alone. They are well worth the annoyance of the other two.

That said, the narrator is excellent in the role of Kolchak. I very much enjoyed his style and presentation of the material.

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so Carl kolchak knew the clintons and uses Wikiped

sin Cara had a computer a cell phone during The night strangler he was 53 years old with a 28 year old belly dancing Bimo the cell phone started at 1973 but the first email start out in 19 95 with EarthLink and AOL so there's a couple of issues oh wait now he's 40 in 1995

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A Bit of Confusion

What made the experience of listening to The Kolchak Collection the most enjoyable?

I love the Kolchak character from the series.

Who was your favorite character and why?

Carl of course who can deny the man.

Which scene was your favorite?

The vampire story is the best

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

Loved how he always gets the story but he always gets thwarted.

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3 people found this helpful

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mixed bag

1st is the best. 2nd less so. The others are just weird and in my opinion don't seem like Kolchak at all, but rather some entirely new character who just happens to have the same name.

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