The Ridge

By: Michael Koryta

Narrated by: Robert Petkoff

Discover a brilliant thriller set in a remote big-cat sanctuary: "one of the scariest and most touching horror tales in years" (James Patterson).

In an isolated stretch of eastern Kentucky, on a hilltop known as Blade Ridge, stands a lighthouse that illuminates nothing but the surrounding woods. For years the lighthouse has been considered no more than an eccentric local landmark -- until its builder is found dead at the top of the light, and his belongings reveal a troubling local history.

For deputy sheriff Kevin Kimble, the lighthouse-keeper's death is disturbing and personal. Years ago, Kimble was shot while on duty. Somehow the death suggests a connection between the lighthouse and the most terrifying moment of his life.

Audrey Clark is in the midst of moving her large-cat sanctuary onto land adjacent to the lighthouse. Sixty-seven tigers, lions, leopards, and one legendary black panther are about to have a new home there. Her husband, the sanctuary's founder, died scouting the new property, and Audrey is determined to see his vision through.

As strange occurrences multiply at the Ridge, the animals grow ever more restless, and Kimble and Audrey try to understand what evil forces are moving through this ancient landscape, just past the divide between dark and light.

The Ridge is a brilliant thriller from international bestseller Michael Koryta, further evidence of why Dean Koontz has said "Michael Koryta's work resonates into deeper strata than does most of what I read" and why Michael Connelly has named him "one of the best of the best."

"The Ridge is a classic ghost story, penned by a master. I couldn't put it down, even though I almost screamed when the wind blew a branch against the tree outside my study. Yes, it's that scary." --Stephen King

Critic reviews

ACCLAIM FOR SO COLD THE RIVER:
"This book builds like a summer storm. Beautiful to watch until it shakes the house and knocks out the lights, leaving you alone in the dark. Another masterful work from Michael Koryta, SO COLD THE RIVERis guaranteed to put the cold finger down your spine."—Michael Connelly

"Koryta has ventured into genre-bending, successfully melding thriller elements to a horror story that recalls Stephen King."—Kirkus Reviews

"An icy, terrifying winner. So Cold the River puts an October chill in your blood by the end of the first chapter. It's not much longer before you've turned on all the lights and rechecked all the window locks. Few novelists warrant mention alongside Stephen King or Peter Straub. Michael Koryta, however, earns comparison to both."—Dennis Lehane

"Kortya's SO COLD THE RIVER is an example of the good-writing equals good-reading equation that makes fright-inducing fiction worthy of our time, attention, and real enjoyment."—Dan Simmons, author of The Terror and Drood

"A cataclysmic finale will put readers in mind of some of the best recent works of supernatural horror, among which this book ranks."—Publishers Weekly (starred review)

"So Cold the River is a great story, but what held me was the lean, clean prose and the sharp presentation of scenes and dialogue. Michael Koryta is a good story teller and a wonderful stylist."—Joe R. Lansdale

"Michael Koryta is a gifted storyteller. His writing reminded me of the great Ruth Rendell--eerie, suspenseful, and pleasantly wicked. If you're looking for a dose of Midwestern Gothic at its best, SO COLD THE RIVER will be just the thing for you."
—Scott Smith, author of A Simple Plan and The Ruins

"A gripping chiller that will keep them guessing - and looking under the covers - until the last page..."—Library Journal

"An edgy, seat-of-your-pants thriller with a supernatural edge..."—Entertainment Weekly

"A superior specimen...beautiful and resplendent."—Marilyn Stasio, The New York Times

Not a bad book

But not a great book. I listen when I'm working outside, in a doctor's office and at the end of the day when there's time. If the book is really good it holds my attention. If not, my mind strays and I have to back track. Found it hard to focus on this one some of the time.

The Ridge is excellent!

What made the experience of listening to The Ridge the most enjoyable?

This one is a real page turner. The Ridge starts slowly, almost lazily, giving each character flesh and personality, then allows the reader to see into the minds of each. The other impact that I felt when reading, was that it is so visual. One can see the deep woods surrounding the town; the beauty of the cats at the preserve; and the omnipresent lighthouse.

Kevin Kimball is revealed to be a man of intelligence, great honor, and fortitude, and he does not waver. His is a lonely life, but he attends to duty in the face of all odds. He is truly the strong, silent savior of his town from the beginning to the very last, nail biting end.

This is a ghost story, but not one that can be totally labeled as such. It is not quite like any that I have read, mainly because of the way that it is told. Upon completion, I was filled with a tinge of sadness, but the end is a matter of just the way it had to end. I cannot give any hints about this story, because to do so would be unjust to the reader who has not read this book, but I must say, you will not be disappointed. The Ridge is one of the best books I have read in some time, and now, I am hoping that a movie is made. This one really needs to be on film.

Missed it by that much...

A mix of police procedural, murder mystery and supernatural thriller, The Ridge's varying elements never quite coalesced into a satisfying whole for me. It's written pretty well and the narration is solid but by the last third of the book, I was struggling to get to the finish line.

A Plus

My second Michael Koryta, and another winner. A storyline that keeps you involved from the start and top-notch narration.

Disappointing

I was disappointed by the story. It was predictable and none of the characters was believable.