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Stranger

By: Ben H. Winters
Narrated by: Vikas Adam
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Publisher's summary

From Ben H. Winters, author of the Last Policeman trilogy, The Quiet Boy, and the Audible Originals Q&A and Self Help, comes a new crime story—a darkly comedic thriller, a wicked satire of our contemporary digital lives, and a loving homage to Patricia Highsmith’s iconic Strangers on a Train.

Meet Harry, aspiring tech entrepreneur. He’s a would-be Steve Jobs trapped in a cubicle gig at an angel investor firm, so close and yet so far from his dreams. His marriage is foundering, his career is stalled out, and all he wants is to create an app like Uber, or Tinder, something to make real change in the world, and change his own life forever.

Now meet Peter, a deeply troubled computer genius who lives in a basement apartment, chugging red wine, nursing old grudges and writing code.

When Harry meets Peter, it’s both of their lives that will change, when they invent an app for murder: you post your desired target, I post mine, and if we make a match we both carry out the other’s killing. Stranger is an instant success, and Harry’s dreams have come true…but at what cost?

©2023 Ben H. Winters (P)2023 Audible Originals, LLC.

About the Creator

Ben H. Winters is the author of the novel Golden State, as well the New York Times best selling Underground Airlines, The Last Policeman and its two sequels, the horror novel Bedbugs, and several works for young readers. Among other recognitions, Winters’s books have received the Edgar Award for mystery writing, the Philip K. Dick award in science fiction, the Sidewise Award for alternate history, and France's Grand Prix de l'Imaginaire. Ben’s writing has appeared in Slate and in the New York Times Book Review. He also writes for film and television and was a producer on the FX show Legion. A film version of Bedbugs is currently in the works at MGM with a script by the mystery writer Sara Gran. Winters lives in Los Angeles with his wife, three children, dog, and fish.

About the Performer

In addition to the over 450 genre hopping audiobooks Vikas Adam has recorded, he’s a classically trained actor and director as well as faculty at the UCLA School of Theater Film and Television. His audiobook catalog includes works from prominent authors including Salman Rushdie, Paulo Coelho, Yann Martel, C. Robert Cargill, Grant Morrison, and E.M. Forster. Other voiceover credits include recordings for Audm/New York Times and vApple News*, animation, dubbing, and podcasts. Vikas has won several of the industry’s most prestigious awards including the Audie Award (and is a 12 time nominee), a Voice-Arts Award, 19 Earphones awards, is on several "Best of the Year" lists, and has the distinction of being an inaugural inductee into the Audible Narrator Hall of Fame.

What listeners say about Stranger

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Great listen

This book keeps you guessing till the end. Well read and performed. Scary concept I hope no one creates

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good short story

I enjoyed this. Great twist at the end, I didn't see it coming. I do recommend this one.

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    4 out of 5 stars
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Interesting story

Would have been better if the app had just been a front that Amy created. An app for murder is just too far fetched.

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    4 out of 5 stars

Pretty good little tale

Very much like stranger on the train but with an app. Makes me want to watch the original movie

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cool short story

Though it's just a short book, it feels longer (but in a good way) cause of the way its written. Some things might click a little too easy, but in general it's a cool story with a nice twist. The narration was excellently done, and each character felt alive. 5 stars all the way

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  • Overall
    3 out of 5 stars
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Nice ending.

Almost stopped listening because of the Peter character’s voice, but glad I stuck it out. Plot twist was excellent.

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Fantastic narration

I often have a hard time listening to men narrate women voices and vice versa, but this guy was great! I also loved the story!

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  • Overall
    3 out of 5 stars
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    3 out of 5 stars

Suspenseful up to a point

With the Environment of Early Radio Dramas like The Shadow, Winters has created a relatively suspenseful Tale. But it also has the breathless quality that probably appealed to the Old Folks hooked on Radio Soap Operas.

Once the Highsmith story was introduced as a Plot Device the jig was up. From there on, it was just a matter of time before the loose ends were tied up and the suspense was gone. Sorry, another Audible Original fail. 😰

Three Stars for Style, Four for Performance. ***

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We reap what we sow?

Author laid out the story to slide to the inevitable ending.
The story the danger of greed & ego.

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  • Overall
    4 out of 5 stars
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    4 out of 5 stars
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    4 out of 5 stars

Christy or Hitchcock?

Out of left field with a worth it twist at the end. Despite some of the story line betting somewhat annoying it was a nice quick listen with an excellent ending.

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