Book description
In this gripping psychological thriller, Joyce Carol Oates, New York Times best-selling author and one of the most versatile and original voices in contemporary American fiction, delivers a startling, complex tale of a serial killer and the people that his ghastly crimes touch -- and transform. People like Matt McBride. Matt was barely out of junior high when the mutilated body of the first victim -- a popular, pretty teenager -- was uncovered in the desolate New Jersey Pine Barrens. Although he had hardly known the girl, Matt has long felt guilty at not having been able somehow to prevent the atrocity. Now another attractive young woman has disappeared, and Matt knew this victim, too. Just possibly he knew her more intimately than he is prepared to admit. By degrees Matt becomes obsessed with a guilt he can neither comprehend nor assuage. His seemingly happy marriage begins to deteriorate, while his increasingly erratic behavior heightens police suspicions. It also draws official attention away from an artist -- a man of limited talent but of fierce, demented vision--who signs his work Name Unknown. Under the spell of the missing woman, Matt follows a path that leads him out of the maze of tortured memory to a confrontation with not only the baleful Name Unknown but also his own long-unacknowledged self. The outcome is shattering. With "murder as an art and the serial killer as an artist," National Book Award - winner Joyce Carol Oates shows "how a murderer's savage creations ... transform a man's life."--Marilyn Stasio, The New York Times "Oates fans may judge [The Barrens] the best Smith novel yet."-- Boston Herald
Athens Fire
Audiobook enthusiasts, rejoice! This app's elegant design and robust functionality make it a must-have for anyone who loves to listen on the go. π§π± Thanks to ListenBook, downloading audiobooks from various sources has become effortless. The audiobook player's silky-smooth playback is like music to my ears. Flawless performance! Bookmarks are a lifesaver for my study materials. I can easily revisit important sections. The app is perfect for people with visual impairments. Itβs so easy to navigate.
Baby Spell
I've become the go-to storyteller at bedtime with the help of this magical app. I'm impressed by ListenBook's dedication to providing a comfortable listening experience. ListenBook's dedication to providing a top-quality audio player is evident in every aspect of the app. I can't get enough of the app's sleek interface and intuitive controls. It's a joy to use!
Tokyo Dream
The 'Discover' section is a treasure trove for finding hidden literary gems. This app is a treasure trove of knowledge, entertainment, and imagination. I love how this app fits seamlessly into my daily routine. Elegant design and easy-to-use interface. Very happy with ListenBook. The app is very user-friendly. ListenBook makes listening to audiobooks a breeze.
Pitfall
I'm amazed at how effortlessly I can immerse myself in stories with this app. This is exactly what I look for in an audiobook! The narrator's pleasant voice and excellent diction made even complex passages easy to follow. I appreciated the subtle but effective use of pauses and emphasis that added depth to the listening experience. Finished it in record time because I couldn't stop listening.
Saturnalia
The diverse range of narrators adds a new layer of depth to each story. ListenBook's compatibility with playlists and CUE files is a great addition for those who love organized listening. Audiobooks have become my constant companions during my daily activities. βοΈ Kudos to the developers for creating an app that's both functional and user-friendly. I can navigate and enjoy my books effortlessly. ππ I can't believe how seamless the integration with Apple Watch is. My workouts just got better.
Grotas
Kudos for the thoughtfully curated collections β I'm discovering hidden gems! I love that I can download content directly from the internet within the ListenBook app β so handy! ListenBook has made me fall in love with audiobooks all over again β it's a must-have app. I'm grateful for this app's ability to fit seamlessly into my lifestyle, making learning a part of my day. Binaural audio processing is a godsend. My ears don't fatigue even during extended listening.
Winded On Friday
Sharing audiobooks with friends through AirDrop is a fun way to spread the joy. Noise reduction and voice tone changing are brilliant features. ListenBook has completely transformed how I enjoy audiobooks. The chapter navigation is seamless, and the statistics feature is a fun way to track my listening progress. The app is stable, fast, and incredibly user-friendly. Five stars! Iβve been using ListenBook for months, and itβs been a fantastic experience. The app is lightweight, doesnβt drain my battery, and works perfectly in the background. The equalizer and voice boost features are amazing. Highly recommend!
Unseen
π Indulging in soothing bedtime stories β this app is my nightly retreat into imagination. ππ ListenBook's loop and shuffle playback options have made audiobook revisiting and studying a breeze.
Fresh Peper
ListenBook's dedication to delivering high-quality sound and user-friendly features has won me over. Audiobooks have made waiting in lines and queues so much more bearable. I can't imagine my life without this app β it's my passport to countless stories. Audiobooks on the go β this app's design prioritizes convenience. Gone are the days of struggling with formats. Thanks to this app, my audiobook journey is a breeze, and every tale is a tap away. Highly recommended! ππ§
Trash Sling
The narrator's voices are so captivating, it's like they bring the stories to life. I love how this app seamlessly integrates into my busy schedule, making multitasking a breeze. Effortlessly accessing my favorite audiobooks has become a reality, all thanks to this app's user-centric design and comprehensive format support. A must-download! π±π§
MythMaker
Audiobooks have made my commutes so much more enjoyable, and I'm always excited to listen. I'm addicted to this app's seamless performance and impressive library. This app's user-friendly layout and quick access to controls have made audiobook listening a breeze. π‘ Enriching my daily routines with wisdom and wonder β thank you, this app! π±π ListenBook Pro's tone adjustment feature is a unique touch that adds personalization to my audiobook journey.
Digital Equinox
The app's compatibility with Apple Watch elevates my workouts, making them more engaging and productive. The noise reduction feature is a game-changer for clearer dictaphone recordings. This app is a game-changer for audiobook lovers! The interface is clean and easy to use. I love the ability to change the playback pitch. Itβs a unique feature. This audiobook was a fantastic listen! The narrator's voice was clear and engaging, making it easy to follow along. The pacing was just rightβnot too fast, not too slow. Perfect for long commutes or relaxing at home. Highly recommend!
Keystone
With this app, every moment becomes an opportunity to indulge in fantastic stories. The controls, layout, and seamless playback are a reader's dream. ππ§ Great for listening to lectures and educational content. Very useful! I love the car mode. Itβs so convenient for listening while driving. Solid performance, but not outstanding. The narrator did a fine job, though their tone was a bit monotonous at times. The story itself was engaging enough, but I wouldnβt call it unforgettable. This was a competent audiobook production with no major flaws. The narrator's voice was pleasant enough and the audio quality was acceptable, though not exceptional. While the performance didn't particularly stand out, it served its purpose adequately for my daily commute.
HedgeH0g2
Sharing audiobooks with friends through AirDrop and Sharing on ListenBook Pro is fantastic. ListenBook's compatibility with a wide range of audio formats ensures that no audiobook is off-limits. This app is a must-have for anyone who loves audiobooks. The interface is intuitive, and the app supports all formats. I love the auto-bookmark featureβit saves my place automatically, so I never lose track. Highly recommend! I'm so glad I chose the audiobook version! The narrator added layers of meaning I might have missed reading silently. Their interpretation of the material felt thoughtful and authentic. The recording was technically perfect - no reverb, no peaking, just clean, pleasant audio.
Trick Baron
ListenBook's compatibility with various audio formats ensures that I can enjoy a wide range of content hassle-free. Finally, an app that respects my busy lifestyle. Whether I'm commuting or exercising, this app's smooth playback and smart controls keep me engaged. πββοΈπ§
Greek Rifle
This audiobook app is an absolute lifesaver! It brings my favorite stories to life with unparalleled convenience. I'm amazed by how this app effortlessly turns my daily routines into enjoyable learning sessions. π Rekindling my love for stories β this app's accessibility has reignited my passion! ππ Thanks to ListenBook, downloading audiobooks has never been easier or more convenient. The range of supported formats is astounding. No more compatibility issues!
Freeze Queen
Gone are the days of straining my eyes to read β this app lets me 'read' with my ears, anywhere, anytime. ππ Beating traffic blues with engaging audiobooks β driving has never been this fun! ππ§ An audiobook lover's dream come true! This app's seamless functionality and diverse format support make it my go-to choice for immersive storytelling. ππ§ ListenBook is a must-have for audiobook enthusiasts. It's reliable, versatile, and a pleasure to use. ListenBook has become my go-to audiobook app. It's dependable, user-friendly, and enhances every listening session.
Sun Runner
Audiobook enthusiasts, rejoice! This app's design focuses on seamless interaction. ListenBook Pro's tone adjustment feature is a unique touch that adds personalization to my audiobook journey. Listening stats motivate me to read more. Great feature!
Grabber
Audiobook enjoyment without the hassle β this app's design is a win. Automatic artwork and metadata extraction keep my audiobook library organized and visually appealing.
Lady Peach
Audiobooks at my fingertips β this app's functionality is truly impressive. I've listened to hundreds of audiobooks, and this one stands out for its professional quality. The narrator struck the ideal balance between dramatic interpretation and letting the text speak for itself. The audio engineering was superb with consistent volume levels and crystal-clear recording.
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