The Grownup

A Story by the Author of Gone Girl

By: Gillian Flynn

Narrated by: Julia Whelan

NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLER • Gillian Flynn’s Edgar Award-winning homage to the classic ghost story, published for the first time as a standalone.

A canny young woman is struggling to survive by perpetrating various levels of mostly harmless fraud. On a rainy April morning, she is reading auras at Spiritual Palms when Susan Burke walks in. A keen observer of human behavior, our unnamed narrator immediately diagnoses beautiful, rich Susan as an unhappy woman eager to give her lovely life a drama injection. However, when the "psychic" visits the eerie Victorian home that has been the source of Susan’s terror and grief, she realizes she may not have to pretend to believe in ghosts anymore. Miles, Susan’s teenage stepson, doesn’t help matters with his disturbing manner and grisly imagination. The three are soon locked in a chilling battle to discover where the evil truly lurks and what, if anything, can be done to escape it.

“The Grownup,” which originally appeared as “What Do You Do?” in George R. R. Martin’s Rogues anthology, proves once again that Gillian Flynn is one of the world’s most original and skilled voices in fiction.

can't wait for the next one!

it's suspenseful and exciting.i enjoyed it. looking forward to the one that will follow. needs to be wrapped up. I need closure.

Earns Four Stars for Its Unpredictability

"The Grownup" is a compact yet compelling novella that skillfully navigates the treacherous waters of psychological suspense. Gillian Flynn's knack for crafting complex characters and atmospheric settings shines through in this story. The plot is a rollercoaster of uncertainty, with the author constantly subverting expectations. While the brevity of the novella leaves some aspects feeling underdeveloped, it also adds to its punchy impact. However, I did find the ending a tad abrupt, leaving me with lingering questions. Despite these minor quibbles, "The Grownup" is an engaging read that showcases Flynn's talent for weaving dark and intricate narratives.

Feels very unfinished

I wish it were more clear that this is a short story. Wouldn’t have purchased because it is essentially the same cost as a full length book and it feels like it just stops before the story is told. Finished in one listen and thought something was wrong with the app.

What a twist!

Not where I thought this little story was heading. What a fun listen! Highly recommend.

the characters have very different personality

i can not wait for for part two with these two characters continue to interact.