Reviews

The Ballad of Old Joe Booth by William Pauley III

nelli_lakatos's review against another edition

5.0

I am obsessed with this series, every book is amazing and you can read them as a standalone as well because they still make perfect sense.
This was so interesting and amazing, I highly recommend this series to everyone!

Thank you to @netgalley and the publisher for an AudioARC of this book in exchange for my honest review.

lenna4's review against another edition

3.0

This captivating installment in the Bedlam Bible saga has left me eager to explore the rest of the series.
The atmospheric writing in this piece is nothing short of extraordinary, evoking an intense sense of unease that sends shivers down the spine.
The narration by Connor Brannigan amplifies the experience, immersing the listener in a world that seems crafted specifically for him. Brannigan's portrayal is an impeccable fit for this role, elevating the overall quality of the production.
It fulfills my yearning for a truly creepy and compact narrative.
Biggest complaint that I have is that I wish it was longer! I would've really liked to spend more time emersed in this story.

Thanks to Netgalley for providing audio arc.

emmybird86's review against another edition

4.0

Im so into this series! I need to read them all. I loved this short creepy story about Old Joe Booth. He is a version of the devil and those who came into contact with him should have turned around and gone home. I just love the weird horror! I cannot wait to read the next book in this series. 

smorrison4's review against another edition

fast-paced

4.0

I love the narrator's voice, it fit perfectly with the mood of this ballad. 

The ballad itself was a quick listen (only 45 minutes) and an interesting story.

alphareads's review against another edition

adventurous dark mysterious tense fast-paced

3.5

The Ballad of Old Joe Booth (A Song For Eighth Block)

Book by William Pauley

Apparently, this is part of the Bedlam Bible series and I haven't read any of the previous installments but looking at how interesting this read was, I would look for them. Also, I look forward to the next installment. 

I listened to the audiobook provided by net galley as an ARC. 

The audiobook is well-narrated and engaging, with the voice actor effectively conveying the atmospheric and suspenseful nature of the stories. The different narrator’s perspectives are clearly delineated, allowing the listener to easily follow the shifting perspectives and add depth to the overall story.

Altogether, if you're a fan of horror audio books or enjoy stories that explore haunted places and mysterious characters, the audiobook version of "The Ballad of Old Joe Booth" seems to be a good choice. The atmospheric narration and effective use of horror elements make for an engaging and immersive listening experience.

barnstormingbooks's review against another edition

dark mysterious tense slow-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Plot
• Strong character development? It's complicated
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
• Flaws of characters a main focus? No

4.0

 

Thank you to #NetGalley and Doom Fiction for the Audio ARC 

 

Brannigan is the perfect voice for this dark monster tale told through the form of an epic poem. This is the creation myth that goes with the larger Bedlam Bible series (which I have not read). However, this quick ballad stands on its own. 

 

The imagery is clear and fits with the expectations of a horror reader. The lyrical nature of the piece keeps the reader engaged and moving through the myth. 

 

If you like monsters and horror, and you need a short jolt this is a great option. 

dapperreads's review against another edition

4.0

I realized when I started this that I hadn’t read ALL of the previous books, but that didn’t make this any less enjoyable. I enjoy a solid horror story, and I’m definitely one for short stories too. 

This definitely had its moments. There were definitely relatively gross descriptions of gory scenes so if you’re not here for that then move on because it starts almost immediately. It’s a solid story to tell us about Old Joe Booth and the intro gives us the information needed to tell us exactly who Old Joe Booth is. 

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

lostinthepaiges's review against another edition

challenging dark emotional hopeful mysterious sad tense fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? No
• Diverse cast of characters? N/A
• Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

5.0

Thank you to NetGalley for the audiobook of The Ballad of Old Joe Booth by William Pauley III. 

The Ballad of Old Joe Booth is the fifth installment of William Pauley III's Bedlam Bible. Despite this, however, The Ballad of Old Joe Booth could be read as a standalone easily. 

This was a haunting piece that I listened to whilst taking a bath. A stupid decision, as the author did an incredible job of capturing the fear and unknown of the depths. I was enthralled rather quickly by Old Joe Booth, and found the tale both harrowing and thrilling. 

The narrator, Connor Brannigan has a deep purr that made the story all the more mysterious. An excellent narration of a brilliant tale.

queenoftoads's review against another edition

4.0

I went into this story not knowing that it was a sequel until listening to the first chapter. Would I have enjoyed it more had I read the first few books? Perhaps, but I still bloody loved it. Atmospheric, great writing, and weird. The audiobook narrator is on point. If anything it has made me want to read the other books. I want to know more.

I listen to this courtesy of Netgalley.

lsquared's review against another edition

4.0

Thank you NetGalley for a free copy in exchange for an honest review.   This was wonderfully creepy.  It was giving me shivers up and down my spine as I listened to this.  I didn't realize this was part of a series until after I started listening but thank goodness it was easy to get into.  I would highly recommend this.  It's short and so very scary.