
Night of the Book Man
Book One in the Surf Mystic Series
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Narrated by:
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Leigh Fryling
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By:
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Peyton Douglas
About this listen
Think Lovecraft Country meets Gidget.
Something evil stalks Laguna Beach - and only a young surfer girl named Frannie can stop it.
In 1958 Laguna Beach, California, a girl escapes tragedy by learning to surf with a close-knit group of misfits while spending her nights working at the shady tiki bar Cafe Monstro. But when a powerful demon in disguise targets the cafe in search of the mysterious, future-revealing empty books called Blanks, she must learn her uncle's Jewish mystical secrets to destroy the demon and free her friends. A 1950s thriller of surfing, water ghosts, dybbuk boxes, Yiddish curses, and supernatural romance.
Night of the Book Man is a debut coming of age horror novel and a love letter to California surf culture and the books, art, and music of the mid-century, from "Frankie & Annette" and Gidget to Dragnet and Stephen King's IT
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Critic reviews
"Blends surfing, soapy small-town politics, and destructive demons in a page-turning alchemy that will transform your summer days. Come on in - the waves are epic!" (David Bowles, Pura Belpre Winner)
What can I say about Night of the Book Man? It's a delicious retro treat wrapped into a perfectly crafted horror novel! I wasn't sure what to expect when I started the book. Horror? Coming of age? Romance? A nod to the '60s? A creepy demon made of origami cranes? A terrifying witch? Yes to all of that and more. Peyton Douglas has knocked it out of the park in this story. From the first word until the more than satisfying end, I savored the book. If you are looking for a multilayered book that will keep you up late into the night turning pages, Surf Mystic is what you need in your life! (P.J. Hoover, award-winning Lone Star List author of Homer's Excellent Adventure)
The author lovingly describes it (paraphrased) “Jewish Gidget fights monsters on the beach!” and while this is true the book is so much more than that.
As the book moves through the story it explores the themes of post korean war individual PTSD through the character of Hookie and Post WWII generational PTSD through Frannie’s (our Gidget) German Jewish Immigrant Parents. It also touches on racism through one of the major subplots. All that wrapped up with Surfing, Coming of age, and Jewish Kabbalah. Tied into a neat package by Grotesque and inventive horror.
The story itself is a little bit of a slow burn but due to the pure amount of world building and exploring this isn't a bad thing.
The author also perfectly blends the Juxtaposed bits of the story into a seamless form. One moment Frannie is out on the Surf using the waves to calm her teenage mind. The next she is being attacked by one of the terrors this book has in store.
The Narrator of this audio book also adds a unique Calmness to the whole situation that somehow sets apart from but serves to deepen the tension in the story itself. It is this tension that will keep you on the edge of your seat as you yearn to know what happens next.
I want to send a thank you to Author Peyton Douglas and Narrator Leigh Fryling.
This is a wonderful emursive piece of art. I'm glad I had the opportunity to share it and I can't wait for the sequel.
P.S. I've only listened to the audio book so idk if it's Frannie or Franny and I apologize if I guessed wrong.
10/5 so amazing it deserves improper fractions.
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Listener received this title free
Definitely not a WipeOut!
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Listener received this title free
The plot, like any sci-fi or fantasy, requires willing suspension of disbelief, but it’s easy to do so. The characters are believable and Frannie shows growth throughout her journey. I’m hoping there’s more to come.
Narration: Fryling does an incredible job with the various accents required, as well as foreign words. She manages to convey each character’s emotion (or lack thereof when necessary), and has a natural gift for pacing, tone, and volume that drew me into the story. My only criticism I f the audiobook is that the transition between chapters was sometimes fraught with static — an issue for sound editing, not with Fryling’s narration.
Highly recommend this book — even to those who don’t usually like fantasy. It’s a fresh idea in a fun setting. M looking forward to the next in the series!
Fresh ideas borne well
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Listener received this title free
This book started out as “Gidget Learns to Surf” or “Beach Blanket Bingo” type book that quickly moves into a mystery with a supernatural twist to it. The author, Peyton Douglas, captured everything about surfers, 1958, and relationships and relayed it perfectly. The dialog was smooth and flowed evenly, the character development was detailed, and the storyline was well-designed executing each twist intentionally.
The narrator, Leigh Fryling, performed this audiobook with charm and clarity. Her pace was even, and she assumed the role of Frannie easily allowing me to see Frannie.
The production and quality of this audiobook are ok. There is some noisy dead air between chapters which is distracting. Other than this it is well done.
Disclaimer: This Audiobook was provided free of charge by the author, narrator, and/or publisher in exchange for a non-bias, honest review.
Origami Demons - Don't Miss This Book!
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