Providence

A Novel

By: Caroline Kepnes

Narrated by: MacLeod Andrews, Emily Rankin, Paul Michael

Length: 12 hrs and 43 mins

Publisher's summary

"A dark beauty of a book, Providence kept me up at night with characters that made my heart a little bigger." (Jessica Knoll, New York Times best-selling author of Luckiest Girl Alive)

A propulsive novel that's part love story, part detective story, and part supernatural thriller - from the acclaimed author of You, whose work Stephen King describes as "hypnotic and totally original"

Best friends in small-town New Hampshire, Jon and Chloe share a bond so intense that it borders on the mystical. But before Jon can declare his love for his soul mate, he is kidnapped, his plans for a normal life permanently dashed.

Four years later, Chloe has finally given up hope of ever seeing Jon again. Then, a few months before graduation, Jon reappears. But he is different now: bigger, stronger, and with no memory of the time he was gone. Jon wants to pick up where he and Chloe left off...until the horrifying instant he realizes that he possesses strange powers that pose a grave threat to everyone he cares for. Afraid of hurting Chloe, Jon runs away, embarking on a journey for answers.

Meanwhile, in Providence, Rhode Island, healthy college students and townies with no connection to one another are suddenly, inexplicably dropping dead. A troubled detective prone to unexplainable hunches, Charles "Eggs" DeBenedictus suspects there's a serial killer at work. But when he starts asking questions, Eggs is plunged into a whodunit worthy of his most outlandish obsessions.

In this dazzling new novel - and with an intense, mesmerizing voice - Caroline Kepnes makes keen and powerful observations about human connection and how love and identity can dangerously blur together.

Narrators:

Jon, read by Macleod Andrews
Chloe, read by Emily Rankin
Eggs, read by Paul Michael

©2018 Caroline Kepnes (P)2018 Random House Audio

Critic reviews

"An artist, a mutated vigilante, a charming hunter, a sickly detective, and a literary lunatic: Caroline Kepnes brings them together in this propulsive and original story. It kept me up at night, scared and thinking." (E. Lockhart, New York Times best-selling author of Genuine Fraud and We Were Liars)

"The infinite talent of Caroline Kepnes shines through every page of this extraordinary tale. Providence is sure to be one of the best thrillers of the year." (Mary Kubica, New York Times best-selling author of The Good Girl)

"There is something for every reader in these pages - thrills, chills, and a complex love story. Kepnes is a writer to add to your must-read pile." (Tess Gerritsen, New York Times best-selling author of I Know a Secret)

I waited and waited but this?

Loved her last two books. I’m talking LOVED and couldn’t wait for her next one. But either it’s over my head or it’s a complete and total mess. Reminds me of a house with a bunch of additions that make no sense. It’s like someone with ADD had to deliver a book to her publisher and in a frenzy of pressure put this confusing, over complicated and head scratching story. I will say this: her first two books were so incredible I will always be a fan. This one was just a blip in what I’m sure will be an amazing career. I just didn’t get it.

Kepnes does it again!

I loved her other books and was wary of this one as it wasn’t a follow up to the first two books. This book is wonderful, Kepnes created characters you really come to care for. More than once I teared up over a story line, felt angst for the characters and didn’t want the story to end. I highly recommend!

Kept Coming Back

I liked this book, but didn't LOVE it. I did find myself thinking about the characters and looking forward to listening to it each time. It was a tad longer than I felt it should have been. A good amount of the John storyline was repetitive and not much was revealed in the way of an explanation of what happened to the poor boy. But that could be a good thing, leaves it open to interpretation and imagination. This would be a great book for a book club so you could discuss theories. I really like Kepnes' work, as it's entertaining and creative. I would recommend this book for those who like the author!

So good!

I'm from Providence so I may have been a little extra excited, but SO Good!

A Very Good Book

I liked this story very much. It’s heartbreaking, beautiful, maddening and compulsively listenable. I finished this one in less than two days which is very unusual for me. I don’t understand all the negative reviews. The narrators are perfectly cast and though the story is a little out there it really comes to life.

Beautiful and haunting..

It took a while to warm up to some of the characters. Once I got the rhythm, the story came together beautifully.

What a let down

Her first 2 books are great. The story had real potential and went down hill

There's no good place to break someone's heart...

and thankfully mine wasn't broken with this book!
I've read a lot of bad reviews of this book. But most of those people say "this is no Joe" or "didn't live up to YOU". Well, stop comparing that book and one! This is a completely different book.
This book held my attention from the beginning. It was interesting. It was emotional. It was quirky.
I like my books to have messy bits where everything isn't tied up perfectly in a bow for me. I don't want to spoil anything for anyone so that's all I can really say.
But if you enjoy friendship to love stories, Lovecraft, young adult, crime fiction, thrillers, books where people nail married life and some of the hard truths of it, or super-power having people....use that credit! It's worth it!

Boring and Mopey

someone in the reviews said this was better than her "you" books. that person is drunk. this is well written but depressing. it follows 3 mopey people around and nothing ever happens. i love her books with Joe they are probably my all time favorite listen so this was disappointing.

Great story, disappointing ending

I love this authors previous books so was very excited when this came out. It has a very different tone than her other books, has a science-fiction flair, and while the storyline is intriguing, there are many unanswered questions left at the ending which left me feeling very disappointed. I can only hope this means she will be writing
a sequel!