The Stone Man - A Science Fiction Thriller, Book 1 cover art

The Stone Man - A Science Fiction Thriller, Book 1

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The Stone Man - A Science Fiction Thriller, Book 1

By: Luke Smitherd
Narrated by: Matt Addis
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About this listen

The #1 Amazon and Audible best seller, shortlisted for Audible UK's Audiobook of the Year Award 2015

Nobody knew where it came from.

Nobody knew why it came.

When an eight-foot-tall man made of stone appears in the middle of a busy city center one July afternoon, two-bit (and antisocial) reporter Andy Pointer assumes it's just a publicity stunt.

Indeed, so does everyone else...until the Stone Man begins to walk, heading silently through the wall of the nearest building, flattening it, and killing several people inside as a result.

As efforts by the local police - and soon the government - to halt the Stone Man's inexorable progress prove futile, only three questions are on the watching world's lips:

Where has it come from, where is it going, and what does it want?

Andy is determined to be the first person to answer those questions; after all, he was there when it arrived. Surely the headaches and visions he's experiencing are proof of a mental connection to the Stone Man. Clearly his dreams of champagne and notoriety are all about to be fulfilled once he uncovers the truth...and the scoop of a lifetime.

In a pursuit that carries him the length of the country and the breadth of the Atlantic, Andy uncovers the jagged pieces of an increasingly terrifying puzzle. As the number of lives lost in the wake of the Stone Man reaches grim figures, the terrible results of Andy's blind determination force him to confront the savagery of human nature.

When irresistible forces aren't met by immovable objects, how far is too far? Andy must discover the answer - and find out who he really is - in the shadow of the Stone Man.

©2012 Luke Smitherd (P)2015 Luke Smitherd
Fantasy Fiction First Contact Post-Apocalyptic Science Fiction Scary

Critic reviews

" The Stone Man is a novel that intrigues, enthralls, horrifies, thrills, and hits the reader with an emotional resonance as only the best stories can." ( Ain't It Cool News)
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Overall I really enjoyed the book but found the change in narrative style at the end to detract more than it added. Living in the Midlands I really liked the centres of action being ordinary places rather than defaulting to London etc I am a huge fan of John Wyndham and this is the closest I've come in a recent novel to his first person narrative account of ordinary people caught up in amazing and horrible things. Having a journalist at the heart of it increased the similarity to Wyndham. Very well read.

echoes of wyndham

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This is one of the most original books I've ever read, and now listened too. Fantastic fast paced story and a haunting ending that really stays with you. Well done Luke !!!!!

Fantastic book !!

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To take care of the elephant in the room, the basic premise is silly. Ok, that is done. Let us move on.

The characterisation is generally very good indeed. The protagonists are flawed heroes but you get inside their skin and understand what makes them tick. The pacing is good and the writing gritty without going overboard. It is a perfectly good treatment of a frankly daft idea that works very well.

The reading is very good with a real feel of separation between characters. Good job, Mr Addis.

Well drawn characters,well performed.

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Where does The Stone Man rank among all the audiobooks you’ve listened to so far?

It's up there with some of my favourite titles. I have to say i have scrolled past this book in my recommendations a few times but thought i'd give it a try and I'm glad i did. Listend to it in 3 sittings and it kept me entertained until the end

What did you like best about this story?

I like the characters. I liked the straight talking of all the characters and thought the chav was done very well. It kept me guessing which i like in a good fiction and felt very original. Also it's good to have an English location that was not London.

What about Matt Addis’s performance did you like?

I thought it was excellent and the characters ware really believable and gritty. Superb job

Was this a book you wanted to listen to all in one sitting?

I would if i had the time. Whilst away from it i was constantly wondering what was going to happen

Any additional comments?

If you want something different and need some inspiration for a new direction then don't hesitate. Its a very good book. It has drama, twists and turns, Mystery and great humour all be it fairy dark. I'm glad i used my credit on it and i think you will to. Very funny authors comments at the end of the book. He just earned a new fan as i never normally leave feedback.

Different and interesting

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This had me hooked from the start and listening at every opportunity. Would make a brilliant film. The perfect combination...great story and great narration.

Compulsive listening

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