Lovely

Fantastic collection of stories that really took me back to his earlier pieces. I recommend to anyone really, especially those who have followed Mr Mercedes trilogy an outsider.

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Definitely worth a try...

One of the more recent titles from Stephen King, really enjoyed it. Selection of short stories each about the right length and the narrator is superb amd really fits each story.

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Ladies and gentlemen, Will Patton!

All the voice talent here are great but when lined up next to others, Will Patton shines all the brighter. He truly is a first class voice actor and his versions of the Bill Hoges' trilogy cast are note perfect. King seems determined to test him as he gives one character the most specific vocal tick I've ever seen in a book but Patton carries it off flawlessly.

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If it bleeds

Didn’t realise it was 3 different stories but that’s fine they were all good and highly enjoyable and as usual with Mr King I was thinking about them long into the night I just didn’t like the voice the narrator used for Holly Gibney

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really enjoyed these especially title story

loved these stories (not so much The Life of Chuck), but Rat and Mr Harrigan's Phone', brilliant as usual. if it bleeds is Brilliant but you really need to listen to finderd keepers to get the character concepts. but once again well done Mr.King

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Excellent read!

Loved it. Excellent follow on from the Outsider, another example of a great read

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Wanted more

I chose this book because it was billed as the follow up to the outsider. When I started listening to it I realised it was actually four short stories in one book.

The stories themselves were all good but the fact that I only had a short sequel instead of a novel was disappointing.

The first story in the book, mr Harrigan’s phone, was gripping and I thought that it had real room to grow into a stand alone book. It was a shame that it ended so abruptly, I would have liked the idea that Craig had his very own undead hitman to have been explored more. Maybe with the twists that his desire for revenge ultimately becoming his own downfall?!

The life of Chuck was hard to follow at first and I found myself very confused....until I wasn’t. If that makes any sense. The story is just ok in my opinion, there is a lot of what felt like filler trying to flesh out the basic story of a guys life line being followed (albeit backwards). This story is my main reason for the 3 stars, without it I would have gone for 4.

Rat was a very interesting listen, I particularly liked the insights into the mind of an author and the way in which they become part of the story they are writing. I would have liked more paranormal, we didn’t see enough of the rat. Again I think it could have been a book on its own and could have been expanded.

If it bleeds was fantastic, my only complaint is that it was too short. I’d have liked to see Ralph again and too. The book starts at a good pace and gathers speed as holly works out the case and speeds towards the conclusion.

I’d like to mention too the little winks by King towards his previous works like his mention of Derry in Rat, and the mention of killer clowns.

All in all, I would recommend this book to friends but would give that recommendation with the caveat of “they are only short stories”.

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3/4 ain't bad.

I really enjoyed If It Bleeds and Rat; moreso Rat - really great story.

I thought Mr. Harrigan's Phone was okay.

The Life of Chuck, I didn't really enjoy it, in fact 3/4 of the way through I skipped to the next story as I found it incredibly dull.

Stephen King is a master storyteller, and my favourite, so if you're a fan you'll be sure to be find a few that enthrall you in some way or another, it will be all rat on the night...

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Holly Gibney character voice

I finally figured out why Will Patton doing his Holly Gibney voice is so unbearable for me. The result sounds like Trump.

Stories are good!

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Some female 'voices' are offensive

A mixed bag (so very much a classic SK short story collection). I've enjoyed listening to it but why oh why do publishers use actors that cannot manage to read female dialogue. The man that reads If It Bleeds (surely the main event in this collection) ruins it by putting on a high pitched, squeaky, 'silly little woman' voice for Holly, something that's as far removed from the character as I can imagine. By contrast the reader of the final story segues believably from male to female without interrupting the flow of the story.

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