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Relics

By: Shaun Hutson
Narrated by: Kobna Holdbrook-Smith
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Summary

During an archaeological dig, a hidden chamber filled with the skulls of children is discovered. At first glance they seem to have been there for thousands of years but closer examination reveals a more shocking secret.

The opening of the chamber triggers a series of horrific murders, each victim mutilated and their entrails used to form a different letter of the alphabet. Who is behind this outrage? And how is it linked to a subterranean chamber thousands of years old?

Inspector Stephen Wallace must unmask this crazed killer. Is it the sadistic thug responsible for organising a series of barbaric dog fights? The mysterious recluse who holds Black Mass orgies for drug addicted teenagers? Or is it, in fact, something much worse?

An evil so old, so vile and so powerful that it threatens to engulf everyone who comes near it. For Wallace, and possibly for the whole human race, time is running out fast. Something evil is waiting. Something monstrous is loose...

Shaun Hutson is one of the UK's best known horror writers and author of over 50 books. He made his name with best-sellers such as Spawn and Relics - acquiring the nicknames 'The Godfather of Gore' and 'The Shakespeare of Gore' in the process – and has since written a number of dark urban thrillers as well. He has also written for radio, magazines, television and novelized a couple of Hammer Horror films.

©1986 Shaun Hutson (P)2013 Audible Ltd
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Critic reviews

"Britain's greatest living horror author" ( Dark Side)
"An expert in the art of keeping the reader turning the pages" ( Time Out)
"Hutson writes grippingly" ( SFX Magazine)

What listeners say about Relics

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

Amazing story

This story was amazing it kept me going till the end.
Worth a listen

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

SHAUN AND HIS RELICS

Shaun for me is, without doubt, the best horror writer alive today, ( shame about his taste in football!! )
A great and gripping tale that is full of action, also a nice twist at the end,
give this and his other titles a try, you won't be disappointed.

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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

Really brilliant

The performance is so engaging. Really brings you into the story. It’s gory, but this is what you expect from this author

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  • Overall
    3 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    3 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    3 out of 5 stars

Badly edited

This has the feel of a short story that had gone on a bit longer than expected.
If you've read/listened to other Hutson books then it will come as no surprise that there's lots of sex and even more graphic violence.
It's not the best horror out there, but something like those TV versions of hammer horror, that seemed scary when you were 10.
The narration isn't bad really but let down by poor editing down by poor editing.
;-) (did you see what I did there???)
Well you'll hear lots more like that in the book
Like that in the book (ok sorry I'll stop now)
It's very annoying though isn't it. And when you pay for something that isn't made correctly you would take it back and ask for one that's made correctly.
So sort it out audible.

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5 people found this helpful

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

Unsure

The book is well written and I've enjoyed others by shaun Hudson but some of the killings in this seemed uneccessary.

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  • Overall
    1 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    3 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    1 out of 5 stars

Disappointment

What could have made this a 4 or 5-star listening experience for you?

This book was filled with unnecessary violence and distustingly detailed depictions of it. Especially the descriptions of dog fights were totally useless, even though the author may have written them as allegories for the attacks on humans.

Has Relics put you off other books in this genre?

Definately.

What did you like about the performance? What did you dislike?

Performance was good, but it did not save the poor content.

You didn’t love this book--but did it have any redeeming qualities?

Not really, I was mostly annoyed in wasting my money on it.

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4 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    2 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    4 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    2 out of 5 stars

One horrific murder to another, yawn

What could have made this a 4 or 5-star listening experience for you?

I think there is the basis of a good horror story but for me it seemed to just be one grisly murder leading to another with little to engage with around the plot.

What could Shaun Hutson have done to make this a more enjoyable book for you?

More plot less gore

What about Kobna Holdbrook-Smith’s performance did you like?

I find Kobna very engaging to listen to, shame there isn't more substance to the story

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  • Overall
    2 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    1 out of 5 stars

Disappointing...

Would you try another book written by Shaun Hutson or narrated by Kobna Holdbrook-Smith?

Might be willing to try another Shaun Hutson...will read the reviews first though. Kobna Holdbrook-Smith was the reason for listening to this as he's so good on the Rivers Of London series...

Has Relics put you off other books in this genre?

a little - although it does feel very dated.

What about Kobna Holdbrook-Smith’s performance did you like?

I think he's the reason I listened to the end...with another narrator I might have thrown in the towel earlier.

You didn’t love this book--but did it have any redeeming qualities?

there were some interesting ideas but overall it felt abridged

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3 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    2 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    4 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    1 out of 5 stars

Worst Hutson book

The story was well read. We all enjoy a good plot twist and Hutson usually does this well, but the final few chapters totally spoiled an otherwise cracking read.

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  • Overall
    1 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    2 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    1 out of 5 stars

A nasty piece of work.

What disappointed you about Relics?

Stock characters, cliched phrases & school-yard intent to shock.

What was most disappointing about Shaun Hutson’s story?

I didn't care enough to finish it.

Would you be willing to try another one of Kobna Holdbrook-Smith’s performances?

No. even he didn't sound as though he liked it much.

You didn’t love this book--but did it have any redeeming qualities?

Yes, thanks to Audible I can get my money back

Any additional comments?

No.

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2 people found this helpful