Koko

Blue Rose Trilogy, Book 1

By: Peter Straub

Narrated by: Patrick Lawlor

KOKO. Only four men knew what it meant. Now they must stop it. They are Vietnam vets — a doctor, a lawyer, a working stiff, and a writer. Very different from each other, they are nonetheless linked by a shared history and a single shattering secret. Now, they have been reunited and are about to embark on a quest that will take them from Washington, D.C., to the graveyards and fleshpots of the Far East to the human jungle of New York, hunting someone from the past who has risen from the darkness to kill and kill and kill.

©2011 Peter Straub (P)2011 Brilliance Audio, Inc.

Critic reviews

“A masterpiece of terror.” ( Los Angeles Times)

“Complexly plotted, thickly layered evil. . . . The ultimate horror.” ( The New York Times Book Review)

“A dead-center hit. . . . A gripping, enthralling, nonstop read.” ( San Francisco Chronicle)

Excruciating

I really wanted the like this book but could not. Excruciating details about every character, all of which I did not like or feel connected to. The plot was overblown, and the twists were predictable. I give it 4 starts only because it was so well written, and I don’t want to disrespect a dead author.

weird, intriguing, surreal

weird, intriguing, surreal. seriously strange book. not really sure how to classify it otherwise. really looking forward to the remaining two stories.

Excellent

Peter Straub is a great author. This book is so compelling that I couldn’t stop listening even if I wanted to.

exciting but too many tangents for me

really good character development but man i really don't think a guy who had nothing to do with the story deserved 5 minutes of my time just because was amazing at fast fowarding a cassett tape.

this is a good book to listen to on long commutes

A Decent Book In Need of a Much Harsher Editor

I generally like Straub's work, although he has been known to lard on the back story far more than necessary. As some of the other reviewers have already pointed out, Straub does this in Koko as well, though I found the back story itself, much of which consists of flashbacks to the experiences of various characters in Vietnam, to be interesting in its own right. I did not find these flashbacks hard to follow, though I could see how some readers might. However, I hit the point about a third or so into the book when I started wondering whether there would ever be anything resembling suspense in it. There is some suspense, especially toward the end of the book, but Straub has done far better both by himself (Floating Dragon, for instance) and in collaboration with Stephen King. The narrator was solid, but he lacked gravitas, and his emphasis in reading certain sentenses simply did not fit the context very well. All in all, I would recommend this book with some reservations to those who can listen at double speed or faster, so that the first seven or so hours take closer to four.

Starts out slow, but builds suspense.

I almost stopped listening to this book a few chapters in, because it seemed to start out too slowly. Eventually, however, I was caught up in the story, which built to a high level of mystery and suspense, with a satisfactory conclusion. I'm not sure where the next book in the trilogy will take the story, but I will probably listen to it when it is added to audible.com.

long but decent

figured out the mystery before half of the nook was done. decent story but the performer was dry and off beat for me. not my style of performance and Straubs very fragmented but still enjoyable.

Strangest book

This is the second book by Straub I’ve read after Ghost Story. Enjoyed Ghost Story but not this book. The veterans of Vietnam depicted here are just not engaging or likable. I lost many friends to Vietnam and have great empathy for all who served. I’m on chapter 9 and still plodding along. Not sure I’ll finish.
Update: made it to chapter 18 and it has improved quite significantly. Onward!

Great Read

Best Straub novel by far! Great narration! Characters were solid and vivid, hard to put down.

Fascinating story - great narration!

Read this book 30 years ago as part of a “Book of the Month” club selection, sent to me. I remembered how the sights, sounds and other feelings resonated with me, back then. The book made a lasting impression that prompted me to revisit a second time all these years later. I was not disappointed - it was as fresh as discovering a new favorite. Highly recommend - for first timers and those revisiting the past!
On to the second book in the Blue Rose trilogy.