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The Secret of Crickley Hall
- Narrated by: David Rintoul
- Length: 18 hrs
- Unabridged Audiobook
- Categories: Literature & Fiction, Genre Fiction
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Summary
There is an old, empty house in Devil's Cleave, a deep gorge that leads from the high moors down to the harbour village of Hollow Bay. The house is Crickley Hall and it's large and grim, somehow foreboding. It's rumoured to be haunted. It's thought to hold a secret. Despite some reservations, the Caleighs move in, searching for respite in this beautiful part of North Devon, seeking peace and perhaps to come to terms with what's happened to them as a family.
But all is not well with the house. They hear unaccountable noises. A cellar door they shut every night is always open again in the morning. They see things that cannot be real. The house is the last place the Caleighs should have come to, for the terror that unfolds is beyond belief. Soon they will discover the secret horror of Crickley Hall....
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What listeners say about The Secret of Crickley Hall
Average customer ratingsReviews - Please select the tabs below to change the source of reviews.
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
- h
- 23-12-12
swish-THWACK
As the title says, truly fabulous. I am almost never scared by books but this one truly did unnerve me. Herbert is a great great writer for the macabre and the twisted. the characters are great and the story is horribly brilliant, but Rintoul really brings this story to life with his voice acting, I only wish he had read more of Herbert's work.
63 people found this helpful
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
- Swords and Spectres
- 26-03-13
Absolutely brilliant
I bought this because I watched and enjoyed the tv series that was aired on the BBC.
As I would expect, I enjoyed the book/audiobook far more. I also think I enjoyed the audiobook far more than I would the written version. The narrator really made certain parts unnerving, perhaps mainly due to my fondness of laying in total darkness in an empty house whilst listening to horror books. But David Rintoul certainly brought the scenes with ghostly interaction to life and gave them an incredibly ominous feel.
Well worth a listen!
37 people found this helpful
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
- Mrs. D. I. Reynolds-hale
- 25-10-12
Proper thriller!
This is the first book I have heard from this author. It won't be the last! Brilliantly read with the suspense getting more gripping by the minute. Great book! And thank you, Audible, for recommending it and putting it in the sale.
47 people found this helpful
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Overall1 out of 5 stars
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Performance1 out of 5 stars
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Story1 out of 5 stars
- Dexlovesol
- 20-05-20
Dreadful and seemingly interminable
This is the worst book I’ve listened to on Audible. The only frightening thing about it is that I spent a full 18 hours listening to it.
The book is incredibly long and would benefit from being a third of its length. However, I don’t think this would redeem it.
I found the characters are risible. Women and girls are largely portrayed as two-dimensional wimps. The family seems to be a throwback to the idea of a family in the 1970s. Men are defined by their jobs and general manliness, women by their sensitivities, emotions and parenting skills etc.
I could cope with some of this if the book was actually frightening. It is not. The plot is ridiculous and for me not in the least bit scary. The sexual references I found to be out of place and verging on the weird. They add nothing to the plot.
The book is narrated at a dramatic pace with unnecessary exaggeration. This only diminishes an already bad experience.
At least I bought this as a daily deal and did not waste a credit on it.
Also, these people did not deserve a dog.
20 people found this helpful
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
- Charmaine
- 23-12-12
Wow
This is definitely one of James Herberts' better books and the narrator made the story come alive in way I haven't heard before. That was one of the most atmospherically read ghost stories I've ever come across. Even just the rain hitting the window was read moodily. This was shown on TV just after I finished listening to it and I couldn't bear to watch because I don't think they would have done as good a job as David Rintoul did. Will definitely be listening to this one again
39 people found this helpful
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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Performance5 out of 5 stars
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Story5 out of 5 stars
- Amazon Customer
- 18-08-13
BRILLIANT!!!!!
This was magnificant! I watched the story on telly many years ago, and I had forgotten this until the descriptive reading conjured up the images from the series.
This is a recommendation for both the author, the narrator and the BBC telly series adaptation.
Listen to this brilliant book and let it frighten and entertain you! You will be scared silly, especially if you listen to this late at night on your own, but you will not regret a minute of it!
17 people found this helpful
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
- tara
- 23-12-12
Hooked
Fabulous story gripping could not stop listening would highly recomend to anyone to read or listen to James Herbert is a great writer
14 people found this helpful
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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Performance5 out of 5 stars
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Story5 out of 5 stars
- P. Donovan
- 18-08-13
A beautifully read chiller
If you could sum up The Secret of Crickley Hall in three words, what would they be?
The Secret of Crickley Hall is chilling, dark and cruel.
What other book might you compare The Secret of Crickley Hall to, and why?
There are many haunted house stories but few of them are written with such psychological depth.
Was this a book you wanted to listen to all in one sitting?
This is an addictive listen because David Rintoul reads this so beautifully and clearly voices each of the characters.
Any additional comments?
This beautifully read chiller taps into parents' deepest fears about cruelty to children and what it would be like for a child to go missing. The descriptive writing is excellent. Please can we have more unabridged James Herbert!
13 people found this helpful
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Overall4 out of 5 stars
- Jay
- 17-03-13
Real Atmosphere
The narration added to the atmosphere of the audiobook and this really drew me into the story. I don't think that the plot is amazing but the writing is very good and therefore the combination of great narration and good writing creates a good audiobook experience. ***** for narration, **** for the writing and *** for the story.
10 people found this helpful
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Overall4 out of 5 stars
- J. Walker
- 05-12-12
Great story, excellent narration!
Really enjoyed listening to this book, and since it's not a genre I usually go for I'm glad I took a spin on it.
I found myself impatient to get back to the story whenever I had to stop listening which is the gold star on any book really. It is lovely and long, great pacing, interweaving lots of depth and contemplative back story in with very intense, present moments.
I absolutely LOVE David Rintoul as a narrator, he is so versatile and always seems to bring the book to life. I bought this book 70% on the strength of the narrator alone but will go and investigate some of the other books by the same author now I've heard it!
20 people found this helpful
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Overall4 out of 5 stars
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Performance5 out of 5 stars
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Story4 out of 5 stars
- karen
- 07-12-13
Great old-fashioned ghost story
I don't seek out ghost stories too often -- nothing ever seems to equal Susan Hills's "The Woman in Black" -- the audiobook, not the film. Ghost stores just don't get any better than that. But this one comes close. I'm not sure why I decided to take a chance on it, but I like creepy old houses, especially if a ghost or two might linger, so that was probably it.
Glad I did -- I should have known this would be good. James Herbert also wrote "The Fog" and I remember reading that decades ago, and afterward, that book came to mind every single day when the tule fog overtook the Sacramento Valley and I had to navigate around in it. That's a seriously frightening book, too.
"Secrets" also has none of the things I don't like in a scary story, which is to say, I don't like stories that merge into science fiction. These are actual ghosts in this book -- real ghosts -- ha! -- not alien creatures or dragons or man-made monsters, or any of that sort of thing.
There are truly creepy moments aplenty -- although why people who are already unnerved by odd happenings decide to explore the basement is always beyond me, although I suppose if they didn't, there wouldn't be a book.
Special praise for the narrator, David Rintoul -- he must have burned up a thousand calories an hour narrating this. It's a high-energy narration, but in a good way. Just very well done.
Highly recommended. And three cheers for Chester -- a real trouper!
10 people found this helpful
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Overall4 out of 5 stars
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Performance4 out of 5 stars
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Story4 out of 5 stars
- Hope
- 24-11-12
The SECRETS of Crickley Hall
The book should be called "The Secrets of Crickley Hall" as there is much to find out about this depressing and creepy vacation home. Herbert's dark and stormy night tale of tragedy and suspense is narrated perfectly by Rintoul. I found Rintoul's narration in some parts bordering on theatrical, I would score it as 4.5 if we could give half stars. The story has many layers which made it a "page turner" for me. Overall a great ghost story.
6 people found this helpful
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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Performance5 out of 5 stars
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Story5 out of 5 stars
- Chet42
- 06-05-15
Finally, A great classic Ghost Story!
Where does The Secret of Crickley Hall rank among all the audiobooks you’ve listened to so far?
I listen to ALOT of books. Most are to just get through the day and have background noise, but this is really one of the better books I have ever listened to, as far as thrillers / mysteries go. Reader was perfect, and the book was long,18 hours or so, but the plot moved along as it should have. Overall, I am now a big fan of James Herbert.
Who was your favorite character and why?
The Caretaker of Crickley Hall. Because he's an animal lover. Very cool twist at the end of the book regarding the family dog, Chester.
What does David Rintoul bring to the story that you wouldn’t experience if you just read the book?
Great English Accent.
Any additional comments?
If you like classic ghost stories this is a great one. Old spooky house, strange happenings, unexpected twists and turns, very talented Reader, how can you go wrong?
3 people found this helpful
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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Performance5 out of 5 stars
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Story5 out of 5 stars
- Cheryl
- 11-10-12
Perfect Ghost Story!!
What made the experience of listening to The Secret of Crickley Hall the most enjoyable?
David Rintoul is an amazing narrator! Such an engaging listen. I will definitely seek out his books.
If you were to make a film of this book, what would be the tag line be?
Can't wait for the BBC show!
Any additional comments?
Enthralling ghost story and a wonderful narrator. A definite "page turner, edge of your seat" kind of book. Loved it!
7 people found this helpful
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Overall4 out of 5 stars
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Performance4 out of 5 stars
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Story4 out of 5 stars
- michael king
- 13-09-14
Swish Thwack. READ IT!
Any additional comments?
get it. read it. good good good. being a jaded horror reader, i didn't think i would like Crickley Hall. I was wrong. I deeply enjoyed it. was it terribly scary? no, but i did get the creeps from time to time. and it was a very interesting read. the characters were good. their relationships were believable. there was plenty to keep me coming back when the chills were only so-so. the reader is extraordinary. his nuanced reading adds to the material. it lends the lines an extra push of reality, of "this is actually happening."
2 people found this helpful
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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Performance5 out of 5 stars
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Story5 out of 5 stars
- Karen
- 07-02-13
Thoroughly Creepy
If you could sum up The Secret of Crickley Hall in three words, what would they be?
Touches every fear
What other book might you compare The Secret of Crickley Hall to and why?
The Haunted by Bickley Little
Tells of a tortured, purely evil soul bent on terrorizing it's occupants.
Have you listened to any of David Rintoul’s other performances before? How does this one compare?
No I haven't heard any of his other performances but I truly enjoyed him in this book.
Was this a book you wanted to listen to all in one sitting?
I did but it also wasn't too hard to put it down as needed, rewind it a little when I got a chance and finish it up.
2 people found this helpful
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Overall2 out of 5 stars
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Performance2 out of 5 stars
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Story2 out of 5 stars
- Just Nelson
- 29-01-19
Would not recommend
Raising and lowering your voice to emphasize words is great, but this narrator does it so extremely that even on full volume sometimes I can barely understand him. Then out of no where he's yelling again. It's very frustrating.
The story was fine up until the last few chapters. It got really boring and predictable at what was supposed to be the climax of the story.
1 person found this helpful
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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Performance5 out of 5 stars
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Story5 out of 5 stars
- Kari
- 06-05-16
A Truly Great Ghost Story
If you could sum up The Secret of Crickley Hall in three words, what would they be?
Hauntingly horrific heartache.
What did you like best about this story?
Even though this story is clearly a supernatural story, it's core is very, very human. The love of the family for each other and their shared grief and struggle over their loss is so endearing. On that same note the stories of the orphans is heartbreaking but also endearing, you feel for these people and you WANT them to be ok, to be at peace. Ultimately it comes down to people relying on each other and their faith to be strong in impossible situations.
What about David Rintoul’s performance did you like?
David Rintoul is fantastic. His performance from Percy to the children, to the young women was incredible. It never felt silly, but was very sincere and very well done.
If you were to make a film of this book, what would the tag line be?
They will not be forgotten.
1 person found this helpful
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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Performance5 out of 5 stars
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Story5 out of 5 stars
- T. Thurston
- 13-11-15
Wickedly well done haunting
I really enjoyed this tale. The narration was awesome. Couldn't put down my earpiece kind of wonderful. Not gory, has great twists. Enjoy!
3 people found this helpful
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Overall2 out of 5 stars
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Performance2 out of 5 stars
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Story2 out of 5 stars
- Karen
- 18-11-12
ZZZZZ......
Would you try another book from James Herbert and/or David Rintoul?
I've read and enjoyed others, so maybe.
What do you think your next listen will be?
Probably a John Connolly mystery.
Who would you have cast as narrator instead of David Rintoul?
He was ok.
What character would you cut from The Secret of Crickley Hall?
Oh, that is funny. The whole thing needs an editor to pare it down by half. It never seemed to end.
Any additional comments?
I love a good ghost story. Sadly, this isn't one. The characters are stupid waaaay past the point of disbelief. I felt smothered with foreshadowing that never really came to much. The only mystery here is why this story went on so long.
7 people found this helpful
