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  • The House at the End of the World

  • By: Dean Koontz
  • Narrated by: Natalie Naudus
  • Length: 10 hrs and 22 mins
  • 4.1 out of 5 stars (2,622 ratings)

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The House at the End of the World

By: Dean Koontz
Narrated by: Natalie Naudus
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Publisher's summary

Soon no one on Earth will have a place to hide in this novel about fears known and unknown by #1 New York Times bestselling master of suspense Dean Koontz.

In retreat from a devastating loss and crushing injustice, Katie lives alone in a fortresslike stone house on Jacob’s Ladder island. Once a rising star in the art world, she finds refuge in her painting.

The neighboring island of Ringrock houses a secret: a government research facility. And now two agents have arrived on Jacob’s Ladder in search of someone—or something—they refuse to identify. Although an air of menace hangs over these men, an infinitely greater threat has arrived, one so strange even the island animals are in a state of high alarm.

Katie soon finds herself in an epic and terrifying battle with a mysterious enemy. But Katie’s not alone after all: a brave young girl appears out of the violent squall. As Katie and her companion struggle across a dark and eerie landscape, against them is an omnipresent terror that could bring about the end of the world.

©2023 The Koontz Living Trust (P)2022 Brilliance Publishing, Inc., all rights reserved.

Critic reviews

“Natalie Naudus narrates with the emotion required for a Koontz thriller in which danger lurks around every corner.… Naudus is at her best as she deftly balances the older woman's slightly deeper voice with the frightened teenager's higher pitch.”AudioFile Magazine

"The House at the End of the World is author Dean Koontz at his very best…deftly narrated from start to finish by the vocal acting talents of Natalie Naudus. Of particular and special interest to fans of dystopian novels, science fiction, and suspense thrillers.”Midwest Book Review

“Koontz has always had near-Dickensian powers of description and an ability to yank us from one page to the next that few novelists can match.”Los Angeles Times

What listeners say about The House at the End of the World

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

Exciting and suspenseful

I hope Dean Koontz turns this into a series. Maybe he should have the fox speak to her mind.

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1 person found this helpful

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

Good story …narrator whispers too much

Another great story I listen to books as I drive and this narrator whispers so much that I have to rewind, turn it up and listen again…very annoying

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

Good but too many words

I've said it before, and I'll say it again, Dean Koontz is getting long in the tooth. it was a good story but I kept having to rewind and stop and take breaks because it was getting a little boring with the long descriptions and the sanctimonious good and evil babble - thanks that people have been complaining about with Dean Koontz for years.

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

Not bad but not his best work

I enjoyed this book. It had some weak points but overall it was worth listening to.

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

Well.......

While I'm not a regular reader of Mr. Koontz, I have read a few of his books. They are kind of hit or miss with me. I think the one that I've liked the best is "A Big Little Life". OMG, that one knocked it out of the park for me and completely stole my heart...but I digress.....

This story is a classic SF story where we find out that there is something going on on a secret island that has the cover of being an Environmental Protection Agency lab station (or something like that. I don't really remember). Anyway, without going into spoilers, something happens and it is not safe anymore.

We also get to meet a woman who lives on the next island over. She bought the island to get away from the world and lives alone. I had a couple of issues with this one. First of all, we get the back story of the woman on the island VERY slowly. It was intermingled with the chapters of what was happening in the "now", but in a way, it was very confusing.

Then, on the secret island, we are also given glimpses into the past, but again....kind of confusing.

When everything hits the fan, things get interesting, but it never really hit the mark of like TOTAL suspense...or hold your breath scariness.

When the pasts are finally revealed, well, it was a bit of a let down. I think I was building up much more in my head. Then, the actual reality of what the secret island was...well...same.

Regardless, it was different and unique and it did keep my interest. I listened to most of this on audio. The narrator - Natalie Naudus - was a new to me narrator and I do not remember having any issues with the narration.

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

For those who think deeply & act with conviction.

Koontz seems to hit or miss with narrators, but Natalie Naudus is definitely a hit. She does a wonderful job of making each character real. As for the story, I love the wonderful female characters who think for themselves. The fox is really cool as well.

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

Loved most of it

It felt like this was a great story idea with personal thoughts and opinions he wanted to share. He needed an “antagonist” to round out the story. It felt pulled out of thin air with very little substance. There seemed to be very little thought to it. As far as the rest of the story, I loved reading it and found it hard to put down.

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

Eh

I thought it was an interesting story, but it kinda went off the rails at the ending. Almost like it needed to be wrapped up quickly.

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

Intriguing

Could not put this down. Very engrossing and the story is well presented by the narrator.

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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

Great book!

This was my first Dean Koontz book, and I loved it! My parents have always been big fans of his, and now I see why. I'm excited to listen/read more of his books.
Coincidentally, I have a big heart for foxes and fox is part of my son's nickname, so of course it made me love the story that much more.

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