Preview
  • The Fisherman

  • By: John Langan
  • Narrated by: Danny Campbell
  • Length: 11 hrs and 27 mins
  • 4.2 out of 5 stars (2,745 ratings)

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The Fisherman

By: John Langan
Narrated by: Danny Campbell
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Publisher's summary

In upstate New York, in the woods around Woodstock, Dutchman's Creek flows out of the Ashokan Reservoir. Steep-banked, fast-moving, it offers the promise of fine fishing, and of something more, a possibility too fantastic to be true. When Abe and Dan, two widowers who have found solace in each other's company and a shared passion for fishing, hear rumors of the Creek, and what might be found there, the remedy to both their losses, they dismiss it as just another fish story.

Soon, though, the men find themselves drawn into a tale as deep and old as the Reservoir. It's a tale of dark pacts, of long-buried secrets, and of a mysterious figure known as Der Fischer: the Fisherman. It will bring Abe and Dan face to face with all that they have lost, and with the price they must pay to regain it.

©2016 John Langan (P)2017 Tantor
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Critic reviews

"Shifting between past and present, Langan builds terrifying scenes...the mythology is genuinely creepy." ( Publishers Weekly)

Featured Article: The top 100 horror books of all time


This list encompasses the full spectrum of what horror can be—campfire-worthy tales, stomach-churning gore, and incisive social commentary. The classics are accounted for, but it also spotlights more recent titles, because that’s the nature of the genre—it is as perennial as it is ever-evolving, conjuring whatever frights most haunt our collective consciousness. Each title does have one thing in common: It makes for devilishly good listening. So cut the lights and press play—if you dare.

What listeners say about The Fisherman

Average customer ratings
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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars

A uncanny treat for genre fans

I really enjoyed this book for numerous reasons. The narrative changes between the two real timeline differences is subtle and well written as to really make this feel like two stories at once. It also keeps the reader with one foot in this reality with the historical references of the times, and one foot in the word of the terrible and unreal with great descriptions of the horrors abound in the vast expanse the author has created. Blurring the edges and overlap of the two worlds in an upsetting fashion. Plus, vast open water and the terrible unknown below the surface, is just kinda spooky on its own, so that helps things along.

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2 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    3 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars
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    2 out of 5 stars

Decent story, hard to follow at times.

Two very interesting storylines that suffer from their placement and individual length. Without too many spoilers, the placement of an entirely different background story, in the middle of the original (and ending) plot, makes both harder to follow than is necessary.

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1 person found this helpful

  • Overall
    3 out of 5 stars
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    4 out of 5 stars
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    3 out of 5 stars

Good ideas, terrible pacing

I wanted to love this book. So many fellow horror enthusiasts have recommended this book and given it high praise. I was hooked in the beginning and really liked the main characters. I was interested in how they were going to explore the shared grief between the two men. And then the middle happened. And it kept happening.
The story within the story barrages you with lore and uninteresting characters and takes up almost the entirety of the book. It changes the tone of the book completely. I liked some of the horror elements. The ending was fine. But I had to stop listening to this book for a month or two because I was so incredibly bored by the middle section. This could've been a much better book if that hadn't been the main focus.

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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars

Loved Every Second

One of the most immersive books I've ever experienced.

I wish there was more, an entire dark sea's worth.

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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars

A fantastic slow burn of modern cosmic horror.

A fantastic slow burn of modern cosmic horror. the two tales work together to make one disconcerting possibility.

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  • Overall
    4 out of 5 stars
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    4 out of 5 stars
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    4 out of 5 stars

A good read if you want something original

This was a real shaggy dog of a horror story, moving between many different characters and time periods.It meandered and moved in ways I didn't expect or even fully understand, but ultimately it was a pretty interesting tale. Tough to classify. It's a supernatural horror story with a bit of Lovecraft mixed in.

I guess I liked it because it felt like the writer at least had an original vision he was pursuing even if sometimes it felt a little rambling.


The narrator has a raspy old man voice and he reminded me a bit of Abe Simpson.

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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars

spooky

terrific book, deep twists and turns and we'll narrated. definitely recommend to anyone whose looking for a good scare!

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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars

one of my favorites. very entertaining.

excuse my grammar. im lazy. i like to read or listen to this while backpacking in the woods. very original story. well performed. hell of a good read or listen. dont hesitate. the first 25% is a bit slow but needed for the story. once you get to the diner, prepare for it to get GOOD!!!!!

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  • Overall
    4 out of 5 stars
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    4 out of 5 stars
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    4 out of 5 stars

Interesting story

sometimes was hard to follow so ended up relistening a few chapters. Glad I stuck it out

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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars

Best modern Cosmic Horror you’ll find

The fisherman has every element you could desire in cosmic horror, the story is so much more than what you’ll see at face value. If you’re a fan of Lovecraftian elder beings and horrific knowledge you’ll love this story.

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