The House of Dust

By: Noah Broyles

Narrated by: Bernard Setaro Clark

Length: 14 hrs and 13 mins

Publisher's summary

Deep in the heat and silence of rural Tennessee, down an untraveled road, sits the forgotten town of Three Summers. Mere miles away, on an overgrown river island, stands the house that once presided over the grand plantation of Angel’s Landing, moss-draped, decrepit. Waiting.

Failing crime writer Bradley Ellison and former prostitute Missy Holiday are drawn to this place, fleeing a world turned against them. For Brad, it is work - he must find a compelling story before the true-crime magazine he writes for judges him expendable. For Missy, it is recuperation - four years at "the club" have left her drained.

But the price of peace is high, and soon Brad and Missy discover that something hides behind the quiet. Something moves in the night. Something that manifests itself in bizarre symbols and disturbing funeral rites. Something that twists back through time and clings in the dust of the ancient house. A presence they must uncover before their own past catches up with them.

©2021 Noah Broyles (P)2021 Audible, Inc.

Excellent Narration and Author Debut

Let me first say that Horror is not really my cup of tea and I am the type who prefers cozy mysteries. However, I was really drawn into The House of Dust and could not put it down. Absolutely at no point in the story was I bored. The suspenseful, gripping storyline had me hooked from start to finish. I switched back and forth between the e-book and e-audiobook because I loved listening to the narrator, Bernard Setaro Clark. It was a super-fast read despite the length. Noah gave really detailed character and setting descriptions; his use of adjectives and verbiage brilliantly set the mood. The rural Tennessee setting was very familiar to me, and there were a multitude of references that a local like myself would pick up on and enjoy. There were plenty of characters to keep up with. It was a little confusing at the start to keep the timeline straight, but that was all part of the mystery. I loved the Bible quotes and references (like Adamah) that were gently woven throughout. That is to say it was not preachy in any way. This eerie story was also not overtly graphic or gory in detail (which would take all the pleasure out of it for me), but it dealt with adult themes. At the end it came full circle. This was a stellar first novel for Noah and I can’t wait to read more of his works.

Breath of fresh air

Narration was great, love how he did the children of the corn voices, Or at least that's what I thought of when I heard the child characters being played, Very creepy.
I am a huge fan of horror and supernatural books and I usually can guess the plot within the 1st 5-6 chapters but I did not see this one coming at all. The storyline was original, the characters had depth and overall great job.

One critique, though. It did take a minute to catch on that there are 2 story lines being told simontaneously even though the author did prompt you when that change was happening. I think it just wasn't made clear from the very beginning that was how the story was going to unfold.

But once you catch on, and you will, you will appreciate it

Unique and Satisfying Southern Gothic

I listen to at least 3 audible books per month and this is my first review. I love horror- especially Southern Gothic books. This was an original story and held my interest until the very end. You won’t be disappointed with this book.
I hope to see more from this author!

Vividly Written Southern Horror

I enjoyed this book for the masterful plotting, deep psychological profiles, and vivid writing. Three Summers is a small southern town with creepy residents and a cult-like connection to the spirit of Adamah. I found some of the child characters to be especially horrifying (think a boy who likes burying his pets alive). Certain themes like mud, addiction, and past trauma recur throughout. There are two couples that have well-considered, and clearly troubled, relationship dynamics that add to the underlying dread.

There is a bit of time-jumping that can be jarring at a times, but is actually a pleasure once the reader figures out what's going on. I really liked the intertexuality. Brad is a magazine writer, writing an article about this cursed town, and clippings of that article are interspersed throughout the book. The climax is immensely satisfying and builds upon the mythology that's been established throughout the book. In retrospect, I find the vivid writing has burned some of the scarier images into my mind's eye. Overall, a fun horror read that sticks with you.

I wish it could go on forever...

The House of Dust is a masterpiece, a literary work of art, a woven tapestry of words. Beautiful prose with magnificent narration by Bernard Setaro Clark (this narrator is absolutely one of the best I have ever listened to. The characters and scenes were so well done, so vibrant I was breathing the air of Three Summers as I listened). There is deep spiritual meaning and symbolism here if you are looking for it but just a great story too if you are not. Filled with memorable images and phrases; the kind of book you are eager to get back to when you have to put it down, a book you live in as you listen and read. I wish it could go on forever...I will visit Three Summers again.

Ulysses was easier to follow

I think this could’ve been really good. It was just too all over the place in the beginning and didn’t capture my attention. I didn’t have the patience

Boring, confusing, way too long

You can save yourself a wasted listening time by finding the book and reading the last chapter, which is a boring rewrite of the entire book. The author does not flesh out the characters, the introduction to the story is ambiguous and I never felt I knew enough about anyone to care. The transitions between timelines are horrible, perhaps better if read, but halfway through the book I tried to listen to chapter titles, and finally thought just get through this. I really don't care! Recently I returned two books, I don't do this often, but even as an audible plus member, I felt guilty, so listened to it. I was fooled by the two five star reviews, should have gone to other sites, next time I will be more thorough.