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Boys in the Valley

Written by: Philip Fracassi
Narrated by: David Aaron Baker
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Publisher's Summary

This program is read by David Aaron Baker, who brings the nightmare to life with his sinister narration. He has earned several AudioFile Earphones Awards and has been a three-time finalist for the prestigious Audie Award for Best Male Narrator.

The Exorcist meets Lord of the Flies, by way of Midnight Mass, in Boys in the Valley, a brilliant coming-of-age tale from award-winning author Philip Fracassi.

“A sublimely chilling story.”—Library Journal, STARRED review

St. Vincent's Orphanage for Boys.

Turn of the century, in a remote valley in Pennsylvania.

Here, under the watchful eyes of several priests, thirty boys work, learn, and worship. Peter Barlow, orphaned as a child by a gruesome murder, has made a new life here. As he approaches adulthood, he has friends, a future...a family.

Then, late one stormy night, a group of men arrive at their door, one of whom is badly wounded, occult symbols carved into his flesh. His death releases an ancient evil that spreads like sickness, infecting St. Vincent's and the children within. Soon, boys begin acting differently, forming groups. Taking sides.

Others turn up dead.

Now Peter and those dear to him must choose sides of their own, each of them knowing their lives—and perhaps their eternal souls—are at risk.

A Macmillan Audio production from Tor Nightfire.

©2023 Philip Fracassi (P)2023 Macmillan Audio
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What the critics say

“The prose is precise, the terror’s exquisite, and Fracassi’s got his hand on the chisel going into your chest.”—Stephen Graham Jones, New York Times bestselling author of My Heart Is a Chainsaw

“A sublimely chilling story….Fracassi almost cheerfully paints this gloomy tale with painfully beautiful and detailed prose that is not afraid to shy away from gore and terror.”—Library Journal, STARRED review

“Gut-wrenching, heartbreaking, and terrifying.”—Andy Davidson, author of The Hollow Kind

What listeners say about Boys in the Valley

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Beautifully haunting and written

This is the best gothic novel I've read/listened to in a decade. The characters are rich. The pacing is maddingly perfect. Philip Fracassi has penned a classic that will haunt me in a good way for years. This was my first read of Mr. Fracassi's work. I've added 4 of his novels to my must read list.

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Damn you, Fracassi!

I don’t really damn the author, but I couldn’t resist a playful chide in the spirit of the story. Compelling, creepy, charismatic are all characteristics that come to mind. This is the most - and best -gothic story I have read in a very long time.

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best horror book of the year for me

I LOVED every second of this. also it is a story of pure horror basically from fifty pages into the story and doesn't let up. all the stars for this one

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A compelling story

The story was engaging, creepy, compelling and damn you, heartwarming. I may have had a tear or two at the end. The narrator trying to do children's voices - he deserves recognition for his effort. My husband was peeing his pants when he walked in randomly. Side note: The priests tend to swear quite a bit and take the Lord's name in vain, a bit odd, but very human I suppose.

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