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3.75 AVERAGE
3.75 AVERAGE
Matt Wesolowski’s Six stories is a really unique way of writing that I thoroughly enjoyed. Essentially a piece of crime fiction, Wesolowski tells the story of a cold case missing person mystery through the lens of six perspectives sharing their versions of the events via a popular podcast. Scott King, whose identity is shrouded behind a veil of secrecy, is the host of the podcast and while this mysterious identity is the source of some deception, King manages to resurrect national interest in a long forgotten story and in doing so bring a whole new set of information to light.
Scarclaw Fell is the setting for the story and throughout the story, Wesolowski is able to create the atmosphere of the English moorish countryside, the perfect backdrop for the events. Coupled with a story of troubled adolescent peer group pressures, plus the rumors of sightings of a beast that roams the Fell, the stage is set for a showdown of revelations that leave the listener and the reader sweating on the next page.
I found this an excellent read and a very refreshing take on the genre.
Scarclaw Fell is the setting for the story and throughout the story, Wesolowski is able to create the atmosphere of the English moorish countryside, the perfect backdrop for the events. Coupled with a story of troubled adolescent peer group pressures, plus the rumors of sightings of a beast that roams the Fell, the stage is set for a showdown of revelations that leave the listener and the reader sweating on the next page.
I found this an excellent read and a very refreshing take on the genre.
Six Stories is an unusual, and very successful, hybrid - the novel takes the form of six episodes of a ‘true crime’ podcast examining the circumstances which led to the disappearance of a 15 year old boy in 1996 and the subsequent discovery of his body a year later on a remote marsh in Northumberland. Each episode of the podcast centres on an interview with someone connected with the incident, the story told from the perspective of ‘six pairs of eyes’ leaving the listener, or reader, to make up his mind what happened.
As a novel, ‘Six Stories’ reads like a transcript of the podcast episodes (there is a connecting narrative but the story essentially unwinds in the conversations in the episodes) but it is as an audiobook that the story really comes alive. I am a big fan of the whispersync technology which allows the reader to switch from reading to listening seamlessly but I dispensed with the text completely in this case, immersing myself in the fictional true crime podcast.
Wesolowski has cited Serial, a true true crime podcast, as a major inspiration and he has really captured the feel of the genre and the medium. He also uses his love of horror (he previously published horror short stories) to ramp up the oppressiveness of the setting, the dank marshes, the overbearing fell, the local folk tales, to weave a really entertaining story. I loved it and have already started (listening to) the second in the series.
As a novel, ‘Six Stories’ reads like a transcript of the podcast episodes (there is a connecting narrative but the story essentially unwinds in the conversations in the episodes) but it is as an audiobook that the story really comes alive. I am a big fan of the whispersync technology which allows the reader to switch from reading to listening seamlessly but I dispensed with the text completely in this case, immersing myself in the fictional true crime podcast.
Wesolowski has cited Serial, a true true crime podcast, as a major inspiration and he has really captured the feel of the genre and the medium. He also uses his love of horror (he previously published horror short stories) to ramp up the oppressiveness of the setting, the dank marshes, the overbearing fell, the local folk tales, to weave a really entertaining story. I loved it and have already started (listening to) the second in the series.
adventurous
dark
emotional
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
What a twist!
Having read 'Beast', I was expecting a final twist but not precisely what it would be. I really enjoyed the voice acting too.
Having read 'Beast', I was expecting a final twist but not precisely what it would be. I really enjoyed the voice acting too.
mysterious
sad
slow-paced
I picked this up as a recommendation from a friend who knows I love a true crime podcast. It did not disappoint! As the title suggests it's told over 'six episodes' each one being an interview with someone connected to the crime. I loved the format and the story and I will definitely be continuing with the series.
This was great. A brilliant format for a horror story and much more unsettling than the usual jump scare. I really enjoyed it and I'm definitely closing the curtains tonight.
mysterious
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Wonderful audio production. A blend of cold case and folklore. Right in my wheelhouse. Looking for to listening to the next book.
Another excellent scary suspenseful book. Perfect for these times