The Cypress House Lib/E

Arlen Wagner has an awful gift; he can see death in the eyes of men before it strikes. He's never wrong. So when Arlen awakens on a train one hot Florida night and sees death's telltale sign in the eyes of his fellow passengers, he tries to warn them. Only 19 year old Paul Brickhill believes him, and the two abandon the train, hoping to escape certain death. They continue south, but soon are stranded at The Cypress House-an isolated Gulf Coast boarding house run by the beautiful Rebecca Cady-directly in the path of an approaching hurricane. It doesn't take Arlen and Paul long to realize that the storm isn't the only approaching danger-a much deadlier force controls the county and everyone living in it. But Paul refuses to abandon Rebecca to face the threat alone, and Arlen's eerie gift warns him that they'll never leave.

About the Author :
Michael Koryta is the New York Times bestselling author of nine novels, most recently The Prophet. His previous three novels, The Ridge, The Cypress House, and So Cold the River, were all New York Times notable books and nominated for several national and international awards. In addition to winning the Los Angeles Times Book Prize, his novel Envy the Night was selected as a Reader's Digest condensed book. Koryta's work has been translated into more than twenty languages. A former private investigator and newspaper reporter, Koryta graduated from Indiana University with a degree in criminal justice. He currently lives in St. Petersburg, Florida, and Bloomington, Indiana. Robert Petkoff is an actor and audiobook narrator who has won a prestigious Audie Award and multiple AudioFile Earphones Awards. He has appeared on Chappelle's Show, Law & Order, and Quantum Leap. His Broadway credits include Sir Robin in Spamalot, Perchik in Fiddler on the Roof, and Tateh in Ragtime.

Review :
The Cypress House is a unique and entertaining blend of noir and paranormal suspense, with a tightly controlled supernatural thread a as believable as the gunplay. Mr. Koryta is at the start of what will surely be a great career. He's now on my must-read list. -- "Dean Koontz, #1 New York Times bestselling author" The Cypress House begins with pulse-racing promise [and] sprints to a filmic, white-knuckled finish. -- "Cleveland Plain Dealer" The Cypress House builds to a seriously tense and twisted final act. -- "Entertainment Weekly" The Cypress House is a dazzling blend of suspense, the supernatural, and superb storytelling. What a gifted writer. Michael Koryta is the real deal. -- "Ron Rash, New York Times bestselling author" A deliciously dark tale. Koryta is a fantastic storyteller. -- "Scott Smith, New York Times bestselling author" Following up his acclaimed gothic, So Cold the River, Koryta blends gritty noir and ghostly visions...the novel builds to a richly satisfying climax...A commanding performance. -- "Kirkus Reviews" Koryta is superb with mood and setting...The simmering tension erupts into a rolling boil by the bloody, spooky, and satisfying ending. -- "Booklist" Koryta masterfully weaves together disparate threads (organized crime; drifters; a haunted, beautiful woman; powerful men; an isolated boardinghouse; the great hurricane of 1935) in a story where every decision can cause your death-or help you escape it. Verdict: Koryta's second attempt at supernatural suspense after So Cold the River offers a much richer experience with better developed characters and more polished storytelling. Murder mystery and ghost story fans will want first crack at this new title. Highly recommended for all public libraries. -- "Library Journal (starred review)" Koryta's masterful follow-up to So Cold the River effectively combines supernatural terror with the suffocating fatalism of classic American noir...Koryta excels at describing both scenery and his characters' inner landscapes. It's hard to think of another book with equal appeal to Stephen King and Cornell Woolrich fans. -- "Publishers Weekly (starred review)" Michael Koryta is mining Stephen King territory and carving out a spot all his own. -- "Women's World" Narrator Robert Petkoff knows just how to manipulate his voice to send shivers down listeners' spines in this ever-so-slightly supernatural story of corruption and death in Depression-era Florida. Arlen has the gift-or curse-of being able to see when another person is approaching death. In this otherwise straightforward novel of suspense, Arlen's paranormal ability might be a hard sell, but Petkoff conveys his emotions so convincingly that listeners will never question the plot device. The Cypress House is a creepy tale that will keep listeners wondering what the next twist will bring. A 2012 Audies finalist. -- "AudioFile" The eerie but fascinating tale follows the efforts of the two men, along with Rebecca Cady...to survive not only the massive 1935 hurricane which caused severe death and destruction but the human forces that ruled the area. Written with an excellent eye for describing life during the Great Depression, the novel also exhibits a deep view of human emotions... Highly recommended. -- "Midwest Book Review" The last scenes in the novel, just as eerie, verify Koryta's knack for putting a supernatural spin on the angst depicted in classic noir fiction. -- "New York Times " When it comes to plot and suspense, Koryta knows what he's doing. He paces the novel masterfully. -- "Columbus Dispatch"