Good story, excellent performance

I was not sure what to expect with this book, be it paranormal or supernatural. Without spoiling anything, I totally enjoyed the plot and the book was very well written. The narration was very well done, I would look for more titles based on that alone.

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Great story

I really enjoyed this title. At times I felt like I was listening to a Stephen King story. I’ll be looking into more from this author!

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As unsettling as ever.

I wasn't sure how I'd take to hearing a Bentley Little horror. It was great and just as unsettling as reading it myself. The performance was so well done that I actually searched for some of his other work.

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Oddly Constructed, But Imaginative

Bentley Little essentially provides a series of viscerally disturbing nightmarish events plaguing a small Arizona community - but with shoehorned-in contrived connections. The gut-punch horror imagery is creepy, graphic/explicit, and intentionally repulsive (and described with unsurpassed mind's-eye vivid skill).. but strung together with a weak quasi-religious "supernatural karma" unifying plot about a vengeful reality-warping creature and laid out with disappointing storytelling structure (almost no foreshadowing; delayed introduction of the meat of the story; relentlessly breakneck "one-incident-after-another-with-no-rest" pacing once it gets going; etc).

Fortuitously for audiobook aficionados: Reader Joe Barrett demonstrates a near-psychic understanding of the author's intentions. A couple of character interpretations are cartoonish.. but Barrett also provides spot-on diction, cadence & timbre suitable for hours of comfortable listening, and that pitch-perfect tone. This is an undeniably above-average listening product.

Altogether, 'The Influence' isn't Little's best work - but rates 7.5/10-stars. If you can get the book as a 'Plus' offering, Do Not Hesitate. Provided you set your expectations appropriately (you will be more shocked than scared), it's likely even worth a Credit if Audible asks for one.

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Abrupt ending

Overall story was good, felt like there were a few too many unneeded Sex scenes or mentions. But was a good listen. Ending was a little abrupt and quick but it worked

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2 people found this helpful

Engrossing and Poignant!

it was quite good. More Bentley than Little. It's the kind of story you can listen to as an audiobook and enjoy it. You can enjoy this audiobook. I'm a human and I enjoyed it. if you're a human you can also enjoy it. I might write a better review later. One that as a human, you may enjoy reading.

it's a good book for people who like Stephen King. One reviewer said the sex scenes were too much. I thought they were pretty exciting. They don't last long, it's just quick bursts sprinkled throughout the story.
The narration is excellent. I listened to the whole book within 24 hours. Currently looking for more from this Author.

His short story collection is excellent.

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1 person found this helpful

Good for Stephen King fans

Sex scenes were a bit much, for me. I didn't see what role it had to play to the storyline for it to be so over the top.

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Mundane

The story droned on with no real purpose. It was as a bad dream feels when one awakes and can not remember anything significant.

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Good hook but predictable

I really wanted to like this book, I’ll keep an eye on the author because there were a lot of neat ideas but I struggled to make it to the end.

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