The Haunted

By: Michaelbrent Collings

Narrated by: Paula Slade

They have the beginnings of a perfect family. A husband, a wife, a baby on the way. But something will stop them from being happy as they move into their new house: the power of the undead that roam the halls of their home. The demons that have come to claim them. The darkness that seeks to destroy them.

©2012 Michaelbrent Collings (P)2014 Michaelbrent Collings

Not too bad.

I truly did not see the end coming. This was a great book you will enjoy!

Had potential but drags

I have read a few of his books and enjoyed them so I thought I would give this a listen. Quite frankly, the story could have been cut in half and not been any worse for the wear. I give the orator an "A" for effort but I swear if I hear "leave, get out..." one more time I would have lost it. I admit I didn't see parts of the end coming. The major part yes, but not one of the details. I feel like there were some questions left unanswered and parts that didn't make sense based on my feelings about ghosts and such. Not terrible but could have really shone.

Hearing Is Believing

What did you like best about The Haunted? What did you like least?

While I'm normally a fan of mysteries/thrillers, I've not dabbled much in the realm of the paranormal. A coworker recommended the story and I'm pleased that I opted for the audiobook version rather than the print version. Some stories are better told by a interpretive narrator, although the action verbs, descriptions, structure and other story elements have to be in place. To the author's credit, they are. Least liked? Some of the unfolding was a little plodding and repetitive and at times I was "aware" of the manipulations and less inclined to go into that mode of "suspended disbelief."

Would you be willing to try another book from Michaelbrent Collings? Why or why not?

I might. Have several other titles/authors stacked up and should I make my way through and in a mood to give it a go, perhaps. As I said, I've not dwelled in this genre before so it would be worth my while to explore.

What does Paula Slade bring to the story that you wouldn’t experience if you just read the book?

As I noted above, the narration brings so much to the experience. Sure it's the author who populates the story with words, descriptions and plot elements, but what Ms Slade does is bring artistic brush strokes to the narrative and dramatist personae. And silly as it may sound, for a scary book its good to have a live person along as the tale unfolds. She has a knack for getting into the minds and souls -- let's call it inner voices -- of Cap and Sarah and thus becomes a trusted teller of terror.

Was The Haunted worth the listening time?

What I like about audiobooks works well with The Haunted. Some stories are consumed in "binge listening", others favor certain times and settings. Like a good bedtime story that can take one's mind safely away from all other distractions and surroundings. I chose to take more time to allow the power and impact have its full effect.

Spookily Done

Any additional comments?

This is my first experience with Mr. Collings’ work, but it won’t be the last. I thought I knew where the story was headed, but I was quite wrong. He is very inventive. It’s actually a rather difficult book to review without giving a spoiler. Let me just say your spine will be chilled and your hair will be curled. If you like horror stories give this one a try!

Ms. Slade’s performance brought extra depth to the book. Her ability to be at turns old and young, male and female, soft and gentle, hard and hateful, terrified and terrorizing is amazing. Not to mention her sound effects. If you don’t jump when she goes “slam” your nerves are better than mine! Lastly there is not a single “speako” to annoy and break the mood – other narrators would do well to pay as much attention to proper pronunciation.

WOW

What made the experience of listening to The Haunted the most enjoyable?

Paula Slade made the story come alive.

Have you listened to any of Paula Slade’s other performances before? How does this one compare?

This was my first book narrated by Paula Slade.

If you could rename The Haunted, what would you call it?

I would call it the Haunted House.

Any additional comments?

I love a good ghost story and this one did not disappoint. My house is surrounded by woods, and I'm not sure why, but I listened to this story sitting outside by the roar of a fire in our fire pit - I kept hoping I wouldn't see anything coming out of the woods! Great summer reading material.

The plot was good and horrific

This was a pretty good horror. He seemed to get a LOT into three days. It’s three days of intensity that just keeps getting worse and worse.

Sadly I listened to this on audible and he has a propensity to add in a lot of words when someone is freaking out… like “It’scomingit’scomingit’scomingit’scomingit’scomingit’scoming!” On and on and on and on. This is my second book of his and I was hoping when I heard the same type of thing in the first that it would just be in that book, but nope, it’s here too. I get it when you’re reading and the author is trying to really grind the terror into your mind but when listening to it, well, it just gets annoying.

Speaking of the narrator, Paula Slade, was amazing. She nailed the characters and all of the really intense emotions. Being in a haunted house as a pregnant woman must suck and Paula was able to bring the true horror to her acting. I loved every minute of her narration. The audio was also well done and never missed a beat, which was great because (other than a few hiccups) I didn’t ever want to stop this.

That being said, the hiccups mentioned were a few. I’m surprised it took the couple so long to try to leave. I mean, you’re pregnant, you’re in a creepy house. They are separated for a lot of this which is hilariously stupid. Maybe if you do not know you’re in a horror it doesn’t matter but once things start happening that I cannot explain, I would be calling my hubby or the ghostbusters, someone! Which leads me to my next question… is this how people actually react? I love Michaelbrent’s writings and he does have some twisted ideas but the fact that they stayed in the house for so long just kills me!

His writing style is appealing but the over and over words that he does (while listening) drives me insane. I seriously wanted to fast-forward the audio. That makes me really sad. I don’t want to miss any of the horrific events and if I fast-forward I’m definitely going to miss something!

The plot was good and horrific with a nice twist at the end though. YAY! I think the ending makes up for some of their stupid choices. But again, I’m not in this so maybe I would make some of the same choices if I were. I sure hope I wouldn’t!

My second listen of Michael’s but I hope it will not be my last!

Audiobook provided for review by the author.

Please find this complete review and many others at my review blog

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New Owners Beware

Where does The Haunted rank among all the audiobooks you’ve listened to so far?

This was my first horror book. I couldn't stop listening. Ranking: 9

What was one of the most memorable moments of The Haunted?

The first was when Sarah realizes the cold feet she is snuggling with in bed, were not of her husband's, but of a ghost.

Have you listened to any of Paula Slade’s other performances before? How does this one compare?

No, but I look forward to more. Paula's warm voice and obvious seasoned acting skills hooked me from the get-go till the very end. In particular, her ability to shift voices and sounds - especially in heightened fast-paced dramatic scenes, kept me on the edge of my chair.

Was there a moment in the book that particularly moved you?

When Father Mike was coaching the couple to voice their commands in ridding the intruders.

Any additional comments?

I expected some sort of resolve/twist at the end, but didn't see this one coming.

I'm not usually drawn to horror stories, but, Michaelbrent's "The Haunting," story was more powerful due to likable couple and the journey we took with them. Paula Slade's narration seemed perfectly in sync with Mr. Collings' intent.

never buy a Haunted House!

exceptionally well done , kept me on the edge of my seat all of the time.

Didn't See This One Coming

Would you listen to The Haunted again? Why?

I would. Now that I know the ending, I would pay more attention to some of the little details.

Was there a moment in the book that particularly moved you?

The realization for Cap at the end. I just wanted to cry for the man.

Any additional comments?

I enjoyed this book. It is suspenseful, scarey at times, and it did keep me wanting to listen to it. There are a few places where it lulled but overall a good listen.

Predictable

Any additional comments?

Predictable, I guesses the theme/ Ending within the first chapter. It's hard to miss they shove it in you face alluding to it over and over and over again.

The narration was god awful. The narrator likes to scream A LOT and in my opinion unnecessarily. I get that she is trying to emphasize that it is scary but it's louder than the normal audio and I had to keep pulling my ear buds out to save my hearing. Do not listen to this while driving you will crash your car.