A Noise Downstairs Audiobook By Linwood Barclay cover art

A Noise Downstairs

A Novel

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A Noise Downstairs

By: Linwood Barclay
Narrated by: George Newbern
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About this listen

The New York Times best-selling author of No Time for Goodbye returns with a haunting psychological thriller that blends the twists and turns of Gillian Flynn with the driving suspense of Harlan Coben, in which a man is troubled by odd sounds for which there is no rational explanation.

College professor Paul Davis is a normal guy with a normal life. Until, driving along a deserted road late one night, he surprises a murderer disposing of a couple of bodies. That’s when Paul’s "normal" existence is turned upside down. After nearly losing his own life in that encounter, he finds himself battling PTSD, depression, and severe problems at work. His wife, Charlotte, desperate to cheer him up, brings home a vintage typewriter - complete with ink ribbons and heavy round keys - to encourage him to get started on that novel he’s always intended to write.

However, the typewriter itself is a problem. Paul swears it’s possessed and types by itself at night. But only Paul can hear the noise coming from downstairs; Charlotte doesn’t hear a thing. And she worries he’s going off the rails.

Paul believes the typewriter is somehow connected to the murderer he discovered nearly a year ago. The killer had made his victims type apologies to him before ending their lives. Has another sick twist of fate entwined his life with the killer - could this be the same machine? Increasingly tormented but determined to discover the truth and confront his nightmare, Paul begins investigating the deaths himself.

But that may not be the best thing to do. Maybe Paul should just take the typewriter back to where his wife found it. Maybe he should stop asking questions and simply walk away while he can....

©2018 NJSB Entertainment Inc. (P)2018 HarperCollins Publishers
Crime Thrillers Psychological Supernatural Suspense Thriller Paranormal Fiction Mental Health Exciting Emotionally Gripping

Critic reviews

"Linwood Barclay's spine-tingling thriller is masterfully narrated by George Newbern.... Newbern portrays an array of characters with impressive range. In particular, his affable style is perfect for Paul, the decent guy at the story's core. It also lulls the listener into a false sense of security, making it all the more jarring when Newbern delivers taut suspense, depraved motivations, and gobsmacking twists." (AudioFile)

What listeners say about A Noise Downstairs

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Gripping Suspense Unpredictable Twists Excellent Narration Engaging Storyline Intriguing Mystery Complex Hero
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A Noise Downstairs

I thoroughly enjoyed this book. It is the first one of the author I have read but will definitely listen to more. The narrator is first class.
The twists in this book are brilliant.

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It’s a decent page turner, great narration

I feel like there was room for another level of surprise after the surprise but it seemed to button up pretty quickly involving characters that I had zero investment in throughout the first 3/4 of the book. I listened intently though and found it entertaining, so the story was ok. The narrator was great! He made it quite enjoyable.

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A pretty good book well read.

All Barclay books have us looking for bad people around every corner. In this book we even have to worry about inanimate objects too. Light reading for weekends at the lake.

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Twisty!

I love this author. So far, everything I’ve read has been good from start to finish. This one has more twists and turns than an amusement park! Fabulous narrator.

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A very nice twist

I liked the twist. Just when I thought it was one group it turned out to be another. Beautifully done. The narration was stellar. Loved this book. Thanks Mr. Barclay.

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'Gaslight' meets 'Spy vs. Spy'

I've read all of Barclay's previous books so I thought he must be 'slipping' when he wrote this...I was so sure that i had the case solved early on that I almost gave up listening. The plot was way too obvious. I should have known better.

Not gonna give away any spoilers. Just keep listening. It ain't over til it's over.

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Excellent in every way!

I binge listened in one day. Very captivating story - I actually gasped aloud at one point, and I’m a tough critic. I sometimes think my idea for where a story should go is better than that of the author, but not in this case. Excellent narration. Overall a great production.

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I loved this book. Although predictable.

I couldn't put it down. I figured out the plot from pretty early but it didn't make it any less interesting

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Almost a home run

This book was awesome...almost. Up till the last few chapters it was realistic and completely absorbing. I just couldn’t guess what was coming or who to believe was guilty of what. Then it’s like the author just said “What the hell. Let’s wrap this up.” I won’t give anything away, but I felt it was sort of an unrealistic cop out. Oh well.

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Very predictable

Good narration. Decent story but so predictable. No real twist unless you aren't trying to guess it.

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