Book description
My Dark Places isn't just an audiobook-it's a descent. James Ellroy pulls you down into the wreckage of his childhood, his mother's murder, the silence that followed. You hear his voice, raw and unfiltered, cutting through decades of buried pain.
The man behind L.A. Confidential brings that same brutal honesty to his own story. His mother, Jean, found dead on a roadside in 1958. A ten-year-old boy who hated her in death even as he grieved. The crime that shaped everything-he became obsessed with violence, with dead women, with the darkness that lived in plain sight.
What hits hardest is how Ellroy doesn't romanticize any of it. He hated his mother. He ran from her memory. He tried to write her back into existence through fiction and failed. So he did something braver-he faced the real story head-on.
The audiobook format works perfectly here. You're not just reading about his pain-you're hearing it. His staccato prose, that telegrammatic style he's known for, translates into something almost musical when spoken aloud. Short sentences hit like hammer blows. Missing words force you to lean in closer.
He teams up with detective Bill Stoner to reopen the case. What unfolds is part investigation, part exorcism. Ellroy doesn't just investigate his mother's murder-he investigates himself. The result is unflinching, uncomfortable, necessary.
This isn't entertainment. It's confrontation. With loss, with memory, with the ways we survive trauma. Ellroy's voice, whether on the page or through your headphones, carries the weight of someone who's spent a lifetime running from ghosts and finally decided to turn and face them.
The darkness he explores isn't sanitized or softened. It's presented as lived experience-messy, contradictory, real. That's what makes this audiobook essential listening.
Troubadour
ListenBook's library organization keeps my audiobooks neat and accessible. A true organizational lifesaver! The ability to download audiobooks directly is fantastic. ListenBook is very convenient.
Dez
Audiobooks have made long flights feel like a breeze – a true travel essential. No more straining my eyes – this app lets me 'read' with my ears! This app has made my workouts and chores so much more enjoyable. This app has made multitasking a breeze – I can 'read' while I work!
Psycho Thinker
ListenBook has rekindled my love for learning, one audio experience at a time. This was an adequate audiobook for casual listening. The narrator maintained a consistent pace and clear diction throughout, though their performance lacked some emotional range. The audio quality was fine with no significant technical distractions.
Lope Lope
Audiobooks have become my companions during daily chores, making them enjoyable. I'm amazed by how this app effortlessly turns my daily routines into enjoyable learning sessions. This app's ease of use has made my daily activities more enjoyable and educational. ListenBook's support for looping and shuffling playback adds versatility to my audiobook enjoyment. ListenBook has transformed my daily routine into an opportunity to learn, relax, and enjoy.
ManBreaker
Kudos to the creators for making literature so accessible and enjoyable. This app is my travel companion – making long journeys enjoyable and insightful. Automated metadata extraction is a time-saver. My library is so organized now. Looping playback helps me immerse myself in the content. It's my secret study weapon. ListenBook is the best audiobook player I’ve ever used. The app is reliable, fast, and packed with features like customizable themes and playback speed. The sleep timer is a lifesaver for bedtime listening. Great job, developers!
Irish Dze
💡 Seamlessly weaving audiobooks into my daily routine – this app's functionality has redefined how I enjoy books. 📱📖 ListenBook is my constant companion during workouts. The controls are so easy to use.
Predator
Listening to books in their original language has improved my foreign language skills. ListenBook's support for various download methods and audio formats ensures that I can always find what I'm looking for. I'm impressed by ListenBook's dedication to providing a comfortable listening experience. I can't imagine my life without this app – it has made audiobook enjoyment effortless and convenient. 🌟 Adding excitement to everyday tasks – this app is my partner in productivity! 📚🚀
Bleach
🎙️ Turning grocery shopping into a thrilling audiobook hunt – what a game-changer! 🛒📚 No more fussing with synchronization – this app just gets it done!
Pepper Prada
Audiobooks have become my favorite workout companions, making exercise a breeze. I never thought I'd enjoy audiobooks as much as I do now – all thanks to this app. ListenBook's dedication to optimizing for iOS 16 ensures a seamless experience on the latest devices. The app's compatibility with CarPlay and Apple Watch enhances my listening experience on the go. Packed with useful features. My favorite audiobook app!
Twinkle Cocoa
Thanks to ListenBook's automatic extraction of artwork and metadata, my library looks organized and appealing. I'm grateful for ListenBook's support for a wide range of formats, making it a one-stop solution for audio content. Sharing audiobooks with friends through AirDrop is a wonderful way to spread the love of literature. I love the ability to share my progress with friends. It’s a fun feature. This audiobook exceeded all my expectations! The narrator's ability to convey emotion through voice alone was remarkable. I laughed, I gasped, I might have even teared up at points - all because of the incredible vocal performance. The story came alive in a way reading alone couldn't achieve.
The Final Judgement
ListenBook's commitment to providing top-notch audio quality has taken my audiobook experience to a new level. With this app, I'm rediscovering the joy of reading in the most convenient way. The app is perfect for bedtime listening. The sleep timer is a must-have.
Evil Smith
With ListenBook, I can immerse myself in captivating stories and enriching knowledge, all in one app. ListenBook has become my trusted companion, guiding me through the realms of imagination. This app's support for various formats ensures that I can enjoy my audiobooks without any limitations. ListenBook’s bookmarking feature is incredibly useful. I never lose my place in a book. This was a workmanlike audiobook that did the job without flair. The narration was clear and the pacing appropriate, though the delivery lacked some emotional depth. The production quality was acceptable with no major technical issues.
Biscuit Meg
This app has introduced me to authors I'd never heard of – now they're my favorites! 👩🍳 Cooking up a storm while enjoying thrilling stories – this app adds flavor to my meals! 🍳🎧 Makes audiobook listening super easy and enjoyable. Thanks, ListenBook! I love how I can create playlists. It’s perfect for organizing my books.
Gumby Train
Kudos to the app for making literature accessible to those with busy schedules. 🏝️🎧 Soaking up the sun while indulging in beach reads – this app is my ultimate relaxation companion. 🏖️📚 ListenBook is a must-have for audiobook lovers. The auto-rewind feature ensures I never miss a word. ListenBook's audio filters allow me to customize the audio playback to suit my preferences perfectly. The app is constantly updated with new features. The developers really care.
Doll Champagne
ListenBook's sleek interface and precise controls make it a joy to use during my daily listening sessions. ListenBook's versatility with various audio formats means I can enjoy audiobooks from multiple sources effortlessly. The app's ability to handle various audio formats is impressive. No more file conversions!
Delicious
ListenBook has become an indispensable part of my daily routine – it's my ultimate audio companion. Every moment is a chance to explore new stories with this app. Its intuitive features and compatibility ensure my audiobook journey is seamless. 🌌🎧 ListenBook Pro's unlimited audiobook length is a dream come true for those epic tales. It's like having a personal audiobook library in your pocket. The app's compatibility with CarPlay and Apple Watch enhances my listening experience on the go.
Knock Out Star
🎶📚 Enriching my environment with the power of storytelling – audiobooks infuse my home with literary magic. 🎧🏠 ListenBook’s playback is silky-smooth. The app never glitches.
Biscuit Meg
💪 Flexing my reading muscles with this app's easy-to-use controls – I'm devouring books while managing my busy schedule. 💼📚 The auto-rewind feature is a thoughtful addition that enhances my listening journey. I appreciate it!
Nacho
🚶♀️📖 Exploring stories as I stroll – audiobooks have turned my walks into inspiring journeys of imagination. 🏞️🎧 Audiobooks made convenient – this app's functionality is a true gift.
Sokol
Audiobooks have become my companions during daily chores, making them enjoyable. I can't believe how quickly I finish books now, all thanks to this app. Bravo to the creators of this app – they've truly captured the essence of convenient audiobook enjoyment. The smooth playback and thoughtful design have won me over. 📚👏 WiFi downloads save a lot of time. Great feature! The app is so easy to set up. I was listening to my books in no time.
Playing a wide variety of audio formats
Works on all devices with iOS 13 and newer
Huge amount of features for a small price
Frequent updates to add new features and improve existing ones
Advanced playback controls
Live sound processing
Changing the timbre of the reader's voice and noise reduction
Translated into more than 20 languages
If you love listening to fiction audiobooks, ListenBook has features to make the process easier.
Edit book data: title, author, cover
Use equalizer to make the sound comfortable for you
Adjust the playback speed
Enjoy dark and light app themes
Supported formats: MP3, M4B, AWB, FLAC, OGG audio files and many more (must be DRM free)
Auto-Bookmarks make it easy to find your place
AirPlay support allows redirection of audio output.
VoiceOver support
Dark mode for night owls
Convenient bookmarking system helps you mark the most important places.
Unlimited bookmarks for each audiobook
Put your own cover on the wager
Share your audiobook with friends
Lock-screen control
Customise app with extensive options
Sleep timer with shake to reset, set custom notification sounds, and a few unique options
Auto rewind depending on paused time, customize rewind times to your liking
Removing background noise from recordings made in classrooms and meetings
Changing the timbre of the reader's voice for a better listening experience