• The Kolchak Papers

  • The Original Novels
  • By: Jeff Rice
  • Narrated by: Johnny Heller
  • Length: 9 hrs and 38 mins
  • 4.6 out of 5 stars (739 ratings)

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The Kolchak Papers  By  cover art

The Kolchak Papers

By: Jeff Rice
Narrated by: Johnny Heller
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Publisher's summary

A legend is born. In 1972, Jeff Rice's novel The Night Stalker introduced Carl Kolchak to the world. This spine-tingling novel of supernatural terror became a best seller and served as the basis for the film of the same name, starring Darren McGavin and adapted by legendary Twilight Zone screenwriter Richard Matheson. 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.

Carl Kolchak, as the world's first paranormal investigator, would prove to be an irresistible draw for viewers and inspire a weekly dramatic television series which debuted in 1974.

A legend returns. Now, after more than three decades out of print, Kolchak's creator Jeff Rice has released the original novels which sparked the television phenomenon! At last, The Night Stalker and The Night Strangler are together in one volume: The Kolchak Papers!

Twenty-one years before Kolchak inspired Chris Carter to create The X-Files, there was only one paranormal investigator. Now fans everywhere can relive the adventures of Carl Kolchak in this single, remarkable volume!

©2016 Jeff Rice (P)2016 Blackstone Audio, Inc.

What listeners say about The Kolchak Papers

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Both Original TV Stories in One Edition

This is the novelization of the both television movies of the original Night Stalker films. They were very popular shows that begat the short lived Night Stalker series. Those of us old enough to remember them, this will be a find trip down memory lane. To newbies, this is an example of the series that inspired Chris Carter to create the X-Files. Actor Darren McGavin who played Kolchak appeared in an episode of the X-Files as a tribute.

These adventures feature the hallmarks of the classic storyline. Supernatural events that only Kolchak could stumble into. His tenacity, dogged determination and sense of humor make him a great lovable character who never seems to win. At least he does get a break in the second story, meeting a lovely lady. Johnny Heller is brilliant as Kolchak on the audiobook version, perfectly capturing Kolchak’s wit and wisdom.

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15 people found this helpful

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Excellent

Johnny Heller starts reading and just carries the listener away. For those who saw the 1970s televised series this audio version will carry you right back to Darrin McGavin's tough reporter Carl Kolchak. I'm not a vampire fan but I enjoyed the story and the abridged history of vampires I did not find the 2nd attached book nearly as good :-(

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10 people found this helpful

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Love that Kolchak

This is great fun. It captures the tone of the original series and Johnny Heller is the perfect narrator for it.

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6 people found this helpful

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Kolchak catch's real Vampire!

I liked the TV show as a kid and now I've listened to the books and I think they're great!

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5 people found this helpful

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Fantastic!

Kolchak is one of my favorite characters of all time. This was so well done and so much fun, I may listen all over again!

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4 people found this helpful

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Brings back childhood memories

Loved the TV Show. Loved the books.
I hate Having to Write More then I want to.

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Great stuff!

Really enjoyed this one. I remember a little of the series on television, so decided to try the book. The narrator was perfect for this title, it has a sort of noir feeling to the narration that makes it seem like it was from an even earlier era than it was. It aged well, no great loss due to lack of technology. You can actually imagine this kind of cover-up in today's fake news media atmosphere. Who knows, maybe it is a true story, after all, and it beats the heck out of twilight!

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3 people found this helpful

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Johnny Heller is Fantastic

These two stories went down easy. I enjoyed the old tv shows but loved these books. Heller is my new favorite narrator.

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Another winner for Johnny Heller!

Good stories but excellent narration!! Wasn’t sure about it when I started this book but turned out to be a great book with characters to love.

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Decent Little Story

The performance was what really made this fun for me—and listening at 1.8X that increased the intensity. Decent little story.

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2 people found this helpful