If It Bleeds
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If It Bleeds Audible Audiobook – Unabridged

Stephen King (Author), Will Patton (Narrator), Danny Burstein (Narrator),
4.6 4.6 out of 5 stars 34,863 ratings
Goodreads Choice Award nominee
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Number one New York Times best seller

From the legendary storyteller and master of short fiction Stephen King comes an extraordinary collection of four new “exceptionally compelling novellas that reaffirm [King’s] mastery of the form” (The Washington Post).

Readers adore Stephen King’s novels, and his novellas are their own dark treat, briefer but just as impactful and enduring as his longer fiction. Many of his novellas have been made into iconic films, including The Body (Stand by Me) and Rita Hayworth and Shawshank Redemption (Shawshank Redemption).

Four brilliant new tales in If It Bleeds are sure to prove as iconic as their predecessors. Once again, King’s remarkable range is on full display. In the title story, fan-favorite Holly Gibney (from the Mr. Mercedes trilogy and The Outsider) must face her fears and possibly another outsider - this time on her own. In Mr. Harrigan’s Phone an intergenerational friendship has a disturbing afterlife. The Life of Chuck explores, beautifully, how each of us contains multitudes. And in Rat, a struggling writer must contend with the darker side of ambition.

If these novellas show King’s range, they also prove that certain themes endure. One of King’s great concerns is evil, and in If It Bleeds, there’s plenty of it. There is also evil’s opposite, which in King’s fiction often manifests as friendship. Holly is reminded that friendship is not only life-affirming but can be life-saving. Young Craig befriends Mr. Harrigan, and the sweetness of this late-in-life connection is its own reward.

“Exactly what I wanted to read right now,” said Ruth Franklin in a rave on the cover of The New York Times Book Review. “Phenomenal," said Brian Truitt in USA Today. “King still owns the fright business like none other.”

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  1. Listening Length
    15 hours and 12 minutes
  2. Author
    Stephen King
  3. Narrator
    Will Patton, see all
  4. Audible release date
    April 21, 2020
  5. Language
    English
  6. Publisher
    Simon & Schuster Audio
  7. ASIN
    B07YNZTC68
  8. Version
    Unabridged
  9. Program Type
    Audiobook
  10. See all details
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Product details

Listening Length 15 hours and 12 minutes
Author Stephen King
Narrator Will Patton, Danny Burstein, Steven Weber
Audible.com Release Date April 21, 2020
Publisher Simon & Schuster Audio
Program Type Audiobook
Version Unabridged
Language English
ASIN B07YNZTC68
Best Sellers Rank #1,298 in Audible Books & Originals (See Top 100 in Audible Books & Originals)
#25 in Supernatural Thrillers (Audible Books & Originals)
#35 in Horror Fiction
#79 in Supernatural Thrillers (Books)

Customer reviews

4.6 out of 5 stars
4.6 out of 5
34,863 global ratings
At least it’s the right book?
4 Stars
At least it’s the right book?
This is not the place to rate how I enjoyed a book, however a place to rate the product being sold.The pages are facing the right way and it looks like the right book on the inside. I could have had it worse, however I’m disappointed with whoever decided to put it in the same box as a 20oz lotion bottle and a big heavy box containing metal rods. As you can see, the book did not hold up well in transport. Other than looks, it is the book I ordered and I can still read it.Let this be a warning to any ordering books, order only books and order your other products separately so you can avoid this.(I’m not looking for compensation or a replacement, only warning others to group orders accordingly)
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Top reviews from the United States

Sondra
1.0 out of 5 stars Book or ear buds?
Reviewed in the United States on May 22, 2021
All of the reviews for ear buds by Alice y are book reviews. Am I missing something?
5 people found this helpful
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Christopher Carrolli
5.0 out of 5 stars "If it Bleeds" Will Sit Well Alongside King's Other Collections
Reviewed in the United States on September 3, 2020
Verified Purchase
Stephen King has released another long-awaited collection. In a tradition akin to “Four Past Midnight,” “If it Bleeds” spawns four page-turning novellas. This time, with another surprise to his die-hard horror fans, the stories focus on the coming-of-age character, the paranormal, ghosts, and of course, death. They reflect the Stephen King responsible for works such as “The Body” and “The Green Mile.” And as anticipated, the author of “Mr. Mercedes” and “The Outsider” has reunited his Constant Readers with P.I. Holly Gibney in the book’s title story.

In “Mr. Harrigan’s Phone,” Craig is the young-coming-of-age adolescent not yet old enough to work when he’s hired by Mr. Harrigan, an elderly curmudgeon once a top-magnate in the stock-market and business world. Craig’s job is to read to him, as task he gladly performs even if some of the books he doesn’t understand like, “Lady Chatterley’s Lover.” Harrigan, old-world and set in his ways, denounces modern gadgets and technology, a mental block Craig breaks through when he buys Mr. Harrigan an iphone. The phone is a way of thanking Mr. Harrigan, since Craig struck lucky on a scratch-off ticket the old man gave him.

As Craig teaches Mr. Harrigan everything about the phone, the gadget soon becomes a guilty pleasure, and an unlikely friendship forms between the old man and the boy. But when Mr. Harrigan dies, Craig continues to talk to him and realizes by some oddity, Mr. Harrigan may be listening. All Craig has to do is dial the phone and ask for his help.

The story is both heartwarming and eerie, about an unlikely friendship so unique that it may transcend death itself. It also leaves the reader questioning reality versus imagination. At Mr. Harrigan’s casket, Craig slips the phone into his suit pocket. Then, as he stands over Harrigan’s grave and dials the phone, he swears he can hear it ringing. The coming-of-age story also sends chills down the spine, a classic King trademark.

King has brilliantly documented “The Life of Chuck” in backwards fashion, with the last chapter being the first, and the first being last. The world is ending in the first chapter. The apocalypse has commenced. The internet is failing as California sinks into the ocean. Huge sinkholes are opening on the highways, making car travel a burden. Stars are inexplicably falling from the sky. Food is now a luxury quickly fading into a famine. Yet everywhere one looks, on billboards, television screens, and signs, is the face of an unfamiliar middle-aged man named Chuck. The advertisement thanks him for thirty-nine good years with his job at the bank. But those who are living through the final end want to know—who is Chuck?

“The Life of Chuck” deals with not only the apocalypse, but the reality of ghosts and those who see them. It is about warnings from beyond that go unheeded and about living life to the fullest while you can. The subsequent chapters introduce us to Chuck as young boy living with his grandparents, his curiosity stoked by a haunted room in their house. As always, King’s characters are real and unforgettable, each of them marked by their own tragedy or circumstances. And after sneaking a peek into the haunted room, Chuck is no different. The story is surprising with unexpected twists and a mind blowing narrative that takes the reader through decades of Chuck’s life.

“If it Bleeds” begins with a package delivery, one that eventually blows up a western Pennsylvania middle-school, killing many in its wake. Affected by the tragedy is King fan- favorite, Holly Gibney. Something about the round-the-clock newscaster who just happened to be on the scene has triggered Holly’s attention and curiosity. But what is it about Chet Ondowsky? Something is different about him, something that Holly’s keen insight doesn’t miss. There’s something about his face. Could Holly be dealing with another Outsider?

With help from an unlikely source, Holly begins to put the pieces together, and while doing so, makes an audio recording of everything she knows and forwards it on a flash drive to Det. Ralph Anderson, her cohort in “The Outsider.” Not as lengthy as its predecessor, the story can definitely be considered a sequel to “The Outsider.” The same fast-paced thrill ride that existed in that book and the “Mr. Mercedes” trilogy is present in “If it Bleeds.” Soon, Holly confronts Chet Ondowsky and the heart-pounding action begins, making the reader turn page after page in hopes of Holly’s survival. “If it Bleeds” is a perfect addition into Holly’s storyline. Also, it’s hard not to miss King’s observation of the Media’s often ghoulish drive when it comes to newsworthy tragedies.

Drew Larson is a wannabe author in “Rat.” He’s had three prior failed attempts, the last one scaring everyone from his wife and children, to his mentor. Drew suddenly sees a vision, a story set in the old west that plays out in his mind. To the dismay of his wife, Lucy, he sets out to write what he claims is a sure thing. This time, he will drive miles to his late father’s cabin and work on the first draft. But Drew faces the onset of not only a storm, but a virus he picked up from another. In the midst of these obstacles, he sees a rat, one who talks to him. The rat makes a Drew a deal, a shady one, but one that bears out.

“Rat” is another exploration of reality versus imagination. The character questions it, and so does the reader. Was the rat real, or was the rat conjured by Drew’s own imagination in an effort to combat his low-confidence level? “Rat” is a unique story with authentic and true-to-life characters and a setting that remains etched in the mind. “If it Bleeds” contains well-crafted imaginative stories and will sit well alongside King’s other collections.
47 people found this helpful
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Richard
5.0 out of 5 stars The long and the short of it…
Reviewed in the United States on March 27, 2024
Verified Purchase
For an author who is famous for stories of great length, where he shines is in short stories and novellas such as this collection. The title story is an integral part of the Holly saga and is the longest of these short stories. The strength of the book lies in getting you inside the head of the lead character in each story to where you feel and identify with the characters and are able to have a satisfying resolution to the story in a very short time and number of pages. If you are a fan of the genre or the author, this is a book that picks at the scabs of worry and darkness that exist in each of us and is worthy of your time and attention.
One person found this helpful
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Melli Ki
4.0 out of 5 stars At least it’s the right book?
Reviewed in the United States on April 9, 2024
Verified Purchase
This is not the place to rate how I enjoyed a book, however a place to rate the product being sold.

The pages are facing the right way and it looks like the right book on the inside. I could have had it worse, however I’m disappointed with whoever decided to put it in the same box as a 20oz lotion bottle and a big heavy box containing metal rods. As you can see, the book did not hold up well in transport. Other than looks, it is the book I ordered and I can still read it.

Let this be a warning to any ordering books, order only books and order your other products separately so you can avoid this.

(I’m not looking for compensation or a replacement, only warning others to group orders accordingly)
Customer image
Melli Ki
4.0 out of 5 stars At least it’s the right book?
Reviewed in the United States on April 9, 2024
This is not the place to rate how I enjoyed a book, however a place to rate the product being sold.

The pages are facing the right way and it looks like the right book on the inside. I could have had it worse, however I’m disappointed with whoever decided to put it in the same box as a 20oz lotion bottle and a big heavy box containing metal rods. As you can see, the book did not hold up well in transport. Other than looks, it is the book I ordered and I can still read it.

Let this be a warning to any ordering books, order only books and order your other products separately so you can avoid this.

(I’m not looking for compensation or a replacement, only warning others to group orders accordingly)
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Tatty
5.0 out of 5 stars How to Win the Game of Life?
Reviewed in the United States on November 17, 2023
Verified Purchase
"I intended to start this review with the words: 'Stephen King: writer, author, literary figure, artist - a man who doesn't need a special introduction.' And then I realized how inappropriate that beginning is! How can he not need a special introduction? He has done everything in his power to be specially introduced, and I will attempt to do so with this review. It's not just about this book; this book is an occasion to say a few fitting words about the work of Stephen King, which the American high culture embraced with a considerable delay.

First, he was classified as the 'king of horror,' which is completely inaccurate, or rather incomplete. Stephen King is not just a horror writer; he is an observer, a describer, and a writer of life. If we just look around us, we'll see many of King's characters in real life. The evil ones, the Outsiders who attribute their misdeeds to others, the real people who enjoy and feed on others' misfortune, the evil and crazy ones like Charles Jacobs, but also those like Doctor Sleep and Holly Gibney who, in their own way, save their friends and the whole world from evil, and fortunately, there are still more of them in this world.

On Amazon, there is a series of books called 'How to Win the Game of Life,' describing the successes of famous personalities such as Kobe Bryant, https://www.amazon.com/Kobe-Bryant-Mamba-Mentality-Greatness/dp/B0BNV3GKJK/ref=sr_1_1?qid=1700204991&refinements=p_27%3AAlex+Karadzin&s=books&sr=1-1,
Zlatan Ibrahimović, https://www.amazon.com/Zlatan-Ibrahimovi%C4%87-Outsider-Lessons-Success/dp/B09ZCSWL1V/ref=sr_1_3?qid=1700205064&refinements=p_27%3AAlex+Karadzin&s=books&sr=1-3
Joe Rogan, https://www.amazon.com/Joe-Rogan-Success-Mindset-Lessons/dp/B09M4NZNLV and
Dwayne 'The Rock' Johnson. https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0CFS1VB69/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_d_asin_title_o02?ie=UTF8&psc=1
The trilogy of Joe Rogan, Kobe Bryant, and Dwayne Johnson. https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0CMJYYSDF/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_d_asin_title_o01?ie=UTF8&psc=1
Stephen King undoubtedly deserves to be included in this edition, and as number 1, because he and his work have something to say about failure, struggle, falling, and rising, but much more about success, and in the end, only success counts!"
In brief: Stephen King has consistently delivered exceptional literary works. It seems impossible for him to produce anything less than outstanding. "If It Bleeds" can be seen as a successor to "The Outsider," featuring the timeless conflict between good and evil. Holly (omen est nomen), along with her friends Jerome Robinson and his sister, becomes entangled in this elemental struggle.
8 people found this helpful
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Top reviews from other countries

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james bray
5.0 out of 5 stars Stephen King. What more needs to be said?
Reviewed in Canada on October 22, 2023
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Great reads.
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Juan Alberto Hernández Martínez
5.0 out of 5 stars A good book
Reviewed in Mexico on January 10, 2023
Verified Purchase
I really loved the stories. I'm satisfied with this book.
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RON
4.0 out of 5 stars Bought as a gift to a Stephen King fan.
Reviewed in Spain on January 2, 2023
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Bought as a gift to a Stephen King fan.
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olga accetti resende
5.0 out of 5 stars Não é terror , são contos sobre o mistério da vida e tudo o que a nossa mente pode fazer.
Reviewed in Brazil on August 21, 2020
Verified Purchase
Gostei por ser contos. Eles sempre forma o forte de King. Nada de terror propriamente dito, o que também aprecio, mas muito mistério e possibilidades...O melhor conto é "A vida de Chuck". Uma lição de vida, fé, e uma surpreendente narrativa de trás pra frente que deixa o leitor bem curioso.
2 people found this helpful
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Mahesh
5.0 out of 5 stars One of his best works.
Reviewed in India on October 5, 2020
Verified Purchase
His best novella collection since different seasons. It is as good as full dark no stars.

The stories in here are just phenomenal.
King Is in his best form.
My favourite novella was the life of chuck.
2 people found this helpful
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