Koko

Blue Rose Trilogy, Book 1

By: Peter Straub

Narrated by: Patrick Lawlor

KOKO. Only four men knew what it meant. Now they must stop it. They are Vietnam vets — a doctor, a lawyer, a working stiff, and a writer. Very different from each other, they are nonetheless linked by a shared history and a single shattering secret. Now, they have been reunited and are about to embark on a quest that will take them from Washington, D.C., to the graveyards and fleshpots of the Far East to the human jungle of New York, hunting someone from the past who has risen from the darkness to kill and kill and kill.

©2011 Peter Straub (P)2011 Brilliance Audio, Inc.

Critic reviews

“A masterpiece of terror.” ( Los Angeles Times)

“Complexly plotted, thickly layered evil. . . . The ultimate horror.” ( The New York Times Book Review)

“A dead-center hit. . . . A gripping, enthralling, nonstop read.” ( San Francisco Chronicle)

Excruciating

I really wanted the like this book but could not. Excruciating details about every character, all of which I did not like or feel connected to. The plot was overblown, and the twists were predictable. I give it 4 starts only because it was so well written, and I don’t want to disrespect a dead author.

Strangest book

This is the second book by Straub I’ve read after Ghost Story. Enjoyed Ghost Story but not this book. The veterans of Vietnam depicted here are just not engaging or likable. I lost many friends to Vietnam and have great empathy for all who served. I’m on chapter 9 and still plodding along. Not sure I’ll finish.
Update: made it to chapter 18 and it has improved quite significantly. Onward!

weird, intriguing, surreal

weird, intriguing, surreal. seriously strange book. not really sure how to classify it otherwise. really looking forward to the remaining two stories.

exciting but too many tangents for me

really good character development but man i really don't think a guy who had nothing to do with the story deserved 5 minutes of my time just because was amazing at fast fowarding a cassett tape.

this is a good book to listen to on long commutes

Excellent

Peter Straub is a great author. This book is so compelling that I couldn’t stop listening even if I wanted to.