Let's Go Play at the Adams'

By: Mendal W Johnson

Narrated by: Matt Godfrey

"They're just kids.... It's only a game." That's what Barbara, a lovely 20-year-old babysitter told herself when she awoke bound and gagged. But the knots were tight and painful and the children would not let her go.

"They're just kids.... It's only a game," she told herself again. But the terror was real...and deadly!

In the decades since its original publication, Mendal W. Johnson's best-seller Let's Go Play at the Adams' (1974) has gained a reputation as one of the most harrowing horror novels ever written, and copies have long been unobtainable except at exorbitant prices. Now this first-ever audiobook version of the novel, read by award-winning narrator Matt Godfrey, adds a new dimension of horror to this cult masterpiece.

©2020 Mendal W. Johnson (P)2020 Valancourt Books LLC

Democracy Wow!

Heard about this book in a few different places only as a horror novel. When I heard it was a commentary on democracy I knew I had to delve in. Well written work from all the different perspectives, and you do get all the perspectives.
Knowing that the children had conflicting feelings on what they were doing but they all abode by the vote makes it even more chilling.
Too bad that Mr Johnson died so soon after or we could have more gems like this! It seems crazy that no one has made a movie about this yet!

At a loss for words

I do not know what to say except holy terror and yes it could happen This has chilled me even though I’ve known demons large and smal and understand depravity has no age and the masses move as one without so much as a thought of questioning or ceasing, even though all of that is true, I like Barbara cannot believe it

could've been better

This could've been better. This was pretty dull and boring for the most part. I expected more tension and it was predictable af

Disturbing

This book is what the movie Funny Games COULD have been. A simple, albeit horrific, story, written in an artful manner. Disturbing in that I have met each of these kids throughout my life, and it's not difficult to imagine this sort of thing having actually happened had those kids been known contemporaries of each other...and I'd be willing to bet that those stars have lined up perfectly on more than a few occasions throughout history. ...disturbing. *shudder*

Extremely Disturbing

I realize this is an older story but all I could think of was, this akin to Lord of the Flies meets Gerald's Game. I suppose the most irritating aspect (for me) is there is no final justice or final resolution. This is NOT for the squeamish.

There is allegedly a sequel to this but I can't find it, to date on audible. I'd like to find it for these little brats need to get their comeuppance.

It’s just a game

A group of kids tie up their babysitters so they can do what they want over summer vacation
Not as brutal as the girl next-door but still a great read
Well narrated and highly recommended
I received a free review audiobook and voluntarily left this review

Great performance

But only a mediocre story. Read Ketchum’s Girl Next Door if you want to read a torture story that actually reveals something about the darkness of human nature.

Fantastic but unnerving

Spectacular read but extremely uncomfortable and unsettling. The author does a fantastic job writing from the children's perspective. Extremely relatable as the kids go through normal childhood. Utterly terrifying situations. Definitely a read it once and never again!

Totally worth it.

This was a really good book. It was well written, well narrated, and an interesting plot. I spent the whole time wondering when it would all get better. Instead it got more intense until suddenly... well, I won't give it away. It's a longer listen than I usually do but it was worth it.

Shock Value Depravity

This book was probably edgy for its time when it first came out decades ago, but it has little value beyond the depravity.

My biggest problem with this book is that the author didn't convince me that children were capable of performing these horrific acts and either not turning on each other and going to the authorities or getting caught. The only character whose psychology fits his actions is the psychopathic Paul. The other children seem far too normal to be kidnappers, torturers, and murderers.

Performance wise Matt Godfrey is at his weakest here given the source material. I usually like this narrator in the other books he has done. However his impression of distressed/complaining/whiney female character is grating and almost unbearable. There is a lot of that in this book considering its about the kidnapping/torture of a young woman