Audience: Adult

Format: Audio

Library Copy

Once upon a time, not so long ago, a monster came to the town of Castle Rock, Maine.

- first sentence

This is a reread for me and I didn’t remember many details. I think I avoided it because of my love of dogs. I listened to the audio; Lorna Raver gives an excellent performance and helped me get lost in the story.

I was surprised by the beginning stuff about the monster (serial killer) Frank Dodd. I found myself wondering what that had to do with the rabid dog. But this story isn’t about a rabid dog. It’s about evil… evil and coincidences. It’s also a look back in time at what was once thought acceptable in a marriage.

As the story progresses, the parts with Cujo are separated by the stories of the Trenton family and the Camber family. Each family is dealing with their own issues, and these ultimately lead to the events which conclude with the showdown of mother and child trapped in a Pinto by Cujo.

It broke my heart to listen to Cujo’s thoughts as the disease progressed and he gradually went mad. But it was easier to read/listen to than it was to watch the movie. All I really remember from the movie is the part with Cujo and the car. I might have to watch it again just for comparison.

So, is an Evil force controlling the events that lead to the heartbreaking conclusion, or is it just coincidence? Does it even matter?

I'm using this for "C" in the Goodreads HA A-Z challenge.

This is a hard book for me to review. It’s got great creepy atmosphere and the mystery at its heart is fun to unravel. At the same time, it’s a hot mess of disjointed reveals, cartoonish villains, unconvincing romance, and a murderous revenant that I felt more sympathy for than almost any other character. Plus, the author gets unpleasantly meta, with the (author) main character musing on the injustice of fiction writers everywhere killing off their characters as a convenience when they aren’t sure what else to do with them, then… you guessed it. Unlike most SK books, I was ready for this one to be over long before the final pages.

Hardcover version, which has been on my shelf since I bought it brand new in 1998. I’d never written a review, so this is a re-read for the 2018 Halloween Bingo. I’ve decided to use Stephen King for my Wild Card author, but I’m holding onto it for now until I decide where best to play it.

Maybe even better this time than it was on the first reading. Now I can take The Outsider off pause, and start from the beginning. 

Original review here. I was re-reading the Bill Hodges trilogy before I go on with The Outsider, since there is supposed to be at least one character making a reappearance. 

I Picked Up This Book Because: I love Betty White and lets be honest I needed something short to take me over the top for my 2017 reading challenge.

The Story:

As I said I love Betty White. I find her story fascinating. This particular book deals with her life in TV. A bit of her time with Allen Ludden (and other husbands). Betty has done so much in her time. She has truly seen television though its infancy to the bounding bustling business today. She is such a gem.

The Random Thoughts:

I was shocked when she said half of the fanmail for The Golden Girls came from kids. I loved that show as a child and recently watched every episode (thank you Hulu) and am still in love with it.

The Score Card:



4 Stars

 
Immortals After Dark, Book 18

I Picked Up This Book Because: Continuation of the series

The Characters:

Calliope “Lila” Barbot:
Abyssian “Sian” Infernas:

The Story:

I don’t remember these characters in any of the previous books but perhaps that is because I’ve missed the last two or three, no idea how. Unfamiliar-ness aside I really enjoyed this story. I listed to the audiobook in my car and found myself often reaching my destination but sitting in my car for a few minutes listening to the story, fine when you’re at the grocery store not too great when you are late for work.

There was definitely a power struggle between these two which I really enjoyed. As formidable as there are against each other I much preferred it when they finally teamed up. This book was full of laughs, smoking hot sex and great relationships.

The trickster king and queen shall reign together for a long time.


The Random Thoughts:



The Score Card:



4.5 Stars