Mall Priest

Mall Priest, Book 1

By: Chris Heinicke, Kate Reedwood

Narrated by: Justin Price

Length: 9 hrs and 30 mins

Publisher's summary

A priest, a rock star, and a demon walk into a shopping mall…and then the apocalypse begins.

Christmas Eve, 1985.

Shoppers flood the aisles of Mallzilla, Springfield’s largest shopping mall. But when Abaddon, one of the Devil’s deadliest soldiers, is unleashed, the mall becomes the epicenter of a battle between good and evil.

As Abaddon recruits an army of possessed mall-goers, a group of unlikely heroes, led by Father Sam, the mall’s resident priest, must band together to stop him. As the body count rises and the stakes get higher, the mall becomes the last line of defense against Abaddon’s quest for world domination.

Can the Mall Priest and his team send Abaddon back to Hell, or will he succeed in building an army of darkness?

©2023 Christopher Heinicke (P)2024 Fright Night Audio

80s Horror Movie Style Mayhem!

Horror, humour, and all the hallmarks of an 80s cheesy horror flick rolled into a fantastically engaging story. Think over-the-top style violence and mayhem you’d get in horror movies of that era, and you’ll be on the right path. It’s Christmas Eve, 1985 and shoppers inside Mallzilla, the largest shopping mall in Springfield are about to have a very not-merry Christmas.

The story started off a little slow, with a lot of introductions of the important characters of the book, but everything took off quickly once Abaddon, a demon from Hell started cutting loose inside the shopping mall. After spending the last 500-ish year safely contained thanks to the intervention of the church, Abaddon has finally escaped and needs to build an army.

Standing in his way? Father Sam, a priest handing out fliers to the masses who just want to get their shopping done, mall cop Sarah Ridley who goes way back with Sam, Ricky Gibson, a failing rockstar who can only land gigs playing shopping malls, and a host of mall militia, a SWAT team, and an eight-year-old girl.

Locked inside the mall with the demon, they’re the only hope for humanity. The cops and priests outside can’t get in, and shoppers are dropping like flies as Abaddon carves his way through the throngs.

A massive body count accompanied by lots of needless violence and gore. Heads being karate-chopped off, Santa going nuts and killing his helpers, guts being ripped out of people, people getting eaten alive. Plus, the staple of any 80s horror movies; boobs. Completely over-the-top but entertaining as all get-out.

A strong cast of characters, from the heroes of Sam and Sarah, through bonkers mix of chaotic, crazy, funny, tragic and tough guy supporting roles with decently developed backgrounds. A good mix of humour with the horror, balancing out even some of the darker moments. Some seriously intense scenes, yet still managing to be light.

The narration by Justin Price was well done. Price voices a large cast of characters ranging from kids and softly spoken priests to burley Scotsmen and demonic voices, and the production was excellent as well. No background noises, obvious retakes or the like. A solid production all round.

Fun and thrilling, this nostalgic throwback to 80s horror had me hooked. With what looks to be a three-book series, this one had a satisfying ending. No massive cliff-hangers, just a little tease of what else might be in store. Not yet on audio at time of writing, but I’ll be keeping an eye out for the next audiobook.

Mall Priest: A Thrilling Mall Apocalypse

I have to admit, I was hooked from the moment I heard the premise of Mall Priest by Chris Heinicke and Kate Reedwood. A priest, a rock star, and a demon battling it out in a 1980s shopping mall? Count me in! This audiobook delivered everything I hoped for and more, blending horror, nostalgia, and a dash of dark humor into an experience that had me glued to my headphones.

The story plunges you straight into the chaos of Mallzilla on Christmas Eve, 1985, and doesn’t let up. The authors do an incredible job of recreating the eerie, anything-goes atmosphere of classic 80s horror, but with a unique twist. As the mall’s priest, Father Sam, and his unlikely crew of heroes face off against Abaddon, the Devil’s deadliest soldier (who escapes in the opening scenes of this book).

I felt like I was living through the best kind of horror slasher—a little gross, a lot intriguing, and impossible to look away from. Surprisingly, I enjoyed the way they weave religious elements into the plot. I wasn’t sure how that aspect would play out, but it added a compelling layer of tension that kept the stakes high.

Justin Price’s narration is the cherry on top of this wild ride. He manages to capture the intensity of the story, nailing everything from the eerie calm before the possessions to the frantic pace of a battle against evil. His ability to switch between the voices of the possessed and the unpossessed was nothing short of impressive, and it’s clear he put a lot into getting the pacing just right.

The callbacks to mall culture from the 80s hit me with a wave of nostalgia, too, making the whole experience even more immersive. If you’re in the mood for a horror story that’s equal parts fun and freaky, Mall Priest is definitely worth a listen.