Exorcist Falls by Jonathan Janz Audiobook Review

Two stories for the price of one!


Exorcist Falls by Jonathan Janz,  narrated by Matt Godfrey
Audiobook Dark Fiction, 11+ Hours
Released October 2018
Goodreads | Buy A Copy Here 

Chicago is gripped by terror. The Sweet Sixteen Killer is brutally murdering young women, and the authorities are baffled.

When the police are called to an affluent home in the middle of the night, they learn that a seemingly normal fourteen-year-old boy has attacked his family. The boy exhibits signs of demonic possession, and even more troublingly, he knows too much about the Sweet Sixteen killings. Father Jason Crowder, a young priest assigned to the case, must marshal his courage in order to save the boy and the entire city from the forces of evil.

But this is a darkness mankind has never encountered before. It craves more than blood. And it won’t rest until it possesses Father Crowder’s soul.

This volume brings together the original novella that started it all—Exorcist Road—and an all-new full-length novel (Exorcist Falls) for a shattering experience in supernatural terror.

These Are My Thoughts:

This unabridged audiobook contains two excellent connected stories of demonic possession. One is a novella that sets the scene for the novel to follow. You’ll want to read/listen to them back to back because they’re both horrifyingly hard to put down.

EXORCIST ROAD sets everything up and is a pretty complete story on its own about a young teen being savaged by a demon and who is suspected of being a murderer. Is it all an act or is it a true case of demonic possession? Two priests are called in to investigate and perform an exorcism. The younger, inexperienced priest discovers some horrifying secrets about the family and nearly everyone soon becomes a suspect in the Sweet Sixteen Killings.

EXORCIST FALLS continues the story of the young priest who has been shaken but not destroyed by all he has experienced. He is now very haunted and conflicted but I can’t tell you why. The search for the Sweet Sixteen Killer continues and it’s pretty much non-stop action from here on out. There’s a little side of lust and a budding romance brought over from EXORCIST ROAD that I felt completely out of place in both storylines considering the trauma the woman recently experienced. Her character was woefully underdeveloped which probably explains my disbelief of her “romance” storyline. The last thing I’d be looking for after all of that was some love from a new guy. The reader is continually told that she is amazing but I didn’t feel her amazingness was ever shown which is kind of a shame. All of the men are very well developed though and she’s a bit player so it’s a minor nitpick, really. I loved the Jason Crowder character so much. A tormented priest with a horrible backstory and a demon ready to exploit all of his human weaknesses? Yep, you’ve got my attention.

Both stories are pitch black and ghoulish and very graphic. Terrible things are said and terrible deeds are done and I loved it but it may not be for everyone as the scenes are so realistically described you can pretty much picture it all going on very clearly. Maybe a little too clearly in some cases!

I can easily recommend the audiobook narrated by Matt Godfrey who has such a down to earth, calming voice he makes even the evilest of deeds go down a little easier. He does an excellent sinister demon voice too! Don’t miss it if you love this kind of story.

4 out of 5


About Author Jonathan Janz

Jonathan Janz is the author of more than a dozen novels and numerous short stories. His work has been championed by authors like Joe R. Lansdale, Jack Ketchum, and Brian Keene; he has also been lauded by Publishers Weekly, the Library Journal, and the School Library Journal. His ghost story The Siren and the Specter was selected as a Goodreads Choice nominee for Best Horror. Additionally, his novel Children of the Dark was chosen by Booklist as a Top Ten Horror Book of the Year. Jonathan’s main interests are his wonderful wife and his three amazing children. You can sign up for his newsletter (https://jonathanjanz), and you can follow him on Twitter, Instagram, Facebook, Amazon, and Goodreads.

Keep up to date with his new releases at his website:  http://jonathanjanz.com/


About Narrator Matt Godfrey

Matt Godfrey was born and raised in Alabama, studied Theater and English in college, then moved to Los Angeles where he lived for 8 years as a working actor. Acting, however, brought him back to the South, where he continues to appear in film, TV, and commercials, with the added bonus of spending his days with his nose in a book. He’s now a full time audiobook narrator. He loves college football, a good haunted house book, black coffee, and the Oxford comma. He lives in the Deep South with his two favorite people, his wife and daughter.

See what Matt is up to at his website:  http://www.mattgodfrey.net/

Comments

  1. This almost reminds me of Amityville. Sounds like I might enjoy it though.

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  2. I sleep alone since hubby works the night shift so horror/thrillers aren't my bed time reading choices. The movie, Exorcist tops my most terrifying film of all time, so maybe someday, when I find the gumption to do so, I might pick this up. Lol.

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  3. Wow, I think I'd love this. Janz must be one of the most prolific authors around, every time I turn around there's another book of his being reviewed or talked about!

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  4. I want to try this one too. He does write some graphic stuff but I can take it. Reading one of his ARCs, The Dark Game, right now. Surprisingly, nothing to gnarly has happened, yet.

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    Replies
    1. I have the Dark Game in my soon to read pile. I hope you're enjoying it and that something gnarly happens real soon, lol.

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  5. I bet I would like this one. I like a good graphic horror story.

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  6. Ugh, more romance shoved into a book in the genre! I think they are obsessed with the idea that romance has to be in every book!

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    Replies
    1. Yeah, sometimes it works but here it was just didn't seem to fit. Fortunately, the rest of the story and characterization was pretty awesome.

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  7. That's interesting that it's two interconnected stories. Glad to hear they were good though, the poorly timed romance aside.

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