Ravens

By: George Dawes Green

Narrated by: Robert Petkoff, Maggi-Meg Reed

The long awaited, "fast-paced psycho-comedic thrill-ride" from the "master storyteller" [Jonathan Ames] behind The Juror and The Caveman's Valentine.
The Boatwrights just won 318 million dollars in the Georgia State lottery. It's going to be the worst day of their lives.

When Shaw McBride and Romeo Zderko pull up at a convenience store off I-95 in Georgia, their only thought is to fix a leaky tire and be on their way again to Florida-away from their dull Ohio tech-support jobs. But this happens to be the store from which a 318,000,000 million dollar Jackpot ticket has just been sold -- and when a pretty clerk accidentally reveals to Shaw the identity of the winning family, he hatches a ferociously audacious scheme: He and Romeo will squeeze the family for half their prize.

That night, he visits the Boatwright home and takes the family hostage, while Romeo patrols the streets nearby, prepared to murder the Boatwrights' loved ones at any sign of resistance. At first, the family offers none. But Shaw's plot depends on maintaining constant fear-merciless, unfaltering terror-and soon, under the pressure, everyone's sanity begins to unravel . . .

At once frightening, comic, and suspenseful, Ravens is a wholly original and utterly compelling novel from one of our most talented writers.

Critic reviews

"Green's novel about a family terrorized by a pair of murderous drifters is even more chilling in audio...
Robert Petkoff renders Shaw and Romeo with a perfect blend of menace and panic, while Maggi-Meg Reed's theatrical Southern drawl captures the community perfectly. This is a top-notch presentation with performances that will keep listeners enthralled and entertained from beginning to end."—Publishers Weekly

Had potential

The premise has great potential, but the ending was disappointing.

Simple and Enjoyable

Would you recommend this audiobook to a friend? If so, why?

I got this based on a recommendation by Stephen King from an article I found, it was one of his picks for book of the year. It was simple easy listening, which is what I'm looking for in a book like this, entertaining right untill the end and the narrator's were great. Not for those looking for a happy fairy tail. I wouldn't put it on my book of this year list - sorry Mr King - but a very good listen none the less.

What did you like best about this story?

The story moves quickly and keeps you wanting more, not a lot of dull moments.

If you were to make a film of this book, what would be the tag line be?

BE CARFULL WHAT YOU WISH FOR!

Vultures

Low to medium-level interest story made palatable by outstanding narration by Petkoff and Reed.

The premise is interesting and provocative, but the storyline gets bogged down in an abundance of overkill.