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The Dead Path

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The Dead Path

By: Stephen M Irwin
Narrated by: Michael Carman
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About this listen

 A terrible accident has left Nicholas Close a widower and awoken in him the ability to see the dead. Now he can't escape visions of tortured spirits, their last moments caught in horrible, and endlessly replaying loops. Nicholas leaves London and returns to Australia where he is disturbed to see that a heavily treed tract of land in his childhood suburb has somehow escaped development. These woods have haunted Nicholas since he was a boy and now he knows why: he sees the ghosts of terrified children being dragged from the path into the grinning maw of dark trees. When another local child goes missing, Nicholas himself becomes a suspect yet he alone knows the girl has been taken into the woods. If he does not act against whatever resides among the shadowy trees, more innocents will be murdered. But the force he resolves to confront is old, cunning, and evil and wants Nicholas for itself.©2009 Stephen M Irwin. (P)2010 Bolinda Publishing Ghosts Horror Suspense Thriller & Suspense

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Editor reviews

A fantastically dark and gripping tale expertly delivered in performer Michael Carman's sandpaper-and-silk voice. Australian Nicholas Close is living in London when an accident kills his new wife and leaves him with the ability to see the dead. Returning to Australia, he discovers that a 100-year-old string of child sacrifices have been taking place in the dark woods near his house. Close must get to the bottom of the horror, or risk being swallowed up himself. Stephen M. Irwin takes what might be a cheesy plot in the hands of a lesser writer and crafts an icily beautiful thriller instead. Highly recommended for fans of horror and suspense.

Critic reviews

"I can't remember being this creeped out by a book since reading King's The Shining." (HorrorScope)
"The language creates an extra frisson of delight throughout the deeply suspenseful, chilling story. A riveting, masterful debut." (Irish Examiner)
"Engaging storytelling that sinks its teeth into the reader and just won’t let go until the final page." (The Guardian)
All stars
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Any additional comments?

This is a quite competent horror thriller, with good characters, an interesting storyline, an unexpected enemy. The style is competent, even though the author repeatedly uses metaphors and similes that one can get tired of. It has some gruesome descriptions, really horrific moments ( no-one is spared...), and good dialogue with some humorous moments. It manages to be elegiac and somber at times, amidst the general gruesomeness... and though I have read and heard quite a few audiobooks... I did not see the twist in the end coming. A twist which sent chills through me.

Unexpectedly good

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Great creepy ghost story,i often used to think how good it would be to see the dead,but after listening to this story i take it all back!

The Dead Path

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What made the experience of listening to The Dead Path the most enjoyable?

From the first bit I was hooked - cant tell you more without spoilers.....well written and very descriptive. Fantastic

What other book might you compare The Dead Path to, and why?

Christine - Stephen King - the only other book ever to make me feel scared stupid

Have you listened to any of Michael Carman’s other performances? How does this one compare?

first time - it is good. Actually it makes it less scary as I dont find his accent to sinister.

If you made a film of this book, what would be the tag line be?

dont watch alone - and dont go to the bleedy woods anymore.

Any additional comments?

If you like the books I have enjoyed, Duma Key, The Stand, The Passage, American Gods, Shining etc (in no particular order) try this - you will not be sorry.

The creepiest book since forever.......!

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Would you consider the audio edition of The Dead Path to be better than the print version?

havent read the print version

What was one of the most memorable moments of The Dead Path?

the book was filled with them, so hard to narrow it down to one.

What about Michael Carman’s performance did you like?

he made the story feel very atmospheric.

If you made a film of this book, what would be the tag line be?

if you go down to the woods today

Any additional comments?

superb book and narration, the story took me back to childhood at times, and all the things that terrified me.

fabulously creepy

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I bought this book years ago but have only just listened to it. A beautifully written, scary story with a twist that you won’t see coming. Like other reviewers, I’m reminded of the best Stephen King stories. I’ll definitely be listening to more from this author.

Promote this book!

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Would you listen to The Dead Path again? Why?

I would definitely listen to this again - the story was gripping and unusual, full of unexpected turns.

What other book might you compare The Dead Path to, and why?

This reminded me of Stephen King at his best.

Have you listened to any of Michael Carman’s other performances? How does this one compare?

No

Did you have an emotional reaction to this book? Did it make you laugh or cry?

No

Any additional comments?

I had expected a murder mystery with some supernatural twists, but this was so much more - unexpectedly brilliant.

Brilliant!

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Give me vampires, werewolves etc and I'm fine; but give me a ghost and I revert to a shivering five year old!

Nicholas keeps seeing ghosts in the woods next to his childhood home. Something is leaving Blair Witch-stlye effigies for unsuspecting children and Nicholas keeps reliving their terrifying deaths.

What do his sister and mum really know? Does the local old granny/witch have anything to do with it?

Gah! Freakout

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Any additional comments?

Didnt think I would like listening to an Australian narrating (Not because I dont like Australians I think they are great) but I found Michael carmans voice to be very engaging with good characterisation. I love supernatural tales and this was very good moving along at a good pace One thing I have never read a book in which so many people threw up in the characters were doing it all the time (Prehaps the nora virus was doing the rounds!) I felt it did seem to get over zealous towards the end with the supernatural stuff but overall it was very good with a twist that I never saw coming

very good

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Writing horror books or supernatural thrillers I've always thought must be really difficult. How do you come up the new ideas? In this book Mr. Irwin solves the problem by using a very old idea, won't tell you what it is because I don't want ruin the story. Suffice to say he has created an eerie story that I’ve listened to over and over. Apart from the quite horrible Irish accent that pops up occasionally the narration is great. If you like Stephen King you'll probably like this.

Brilliant book!

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