Puzzle House

By: Duncan Ralston

Narrated by: Joe Hempel

Length: 6 hrs and 2 mins

Publisher's summary

Six strangers arrive at the home of preeminent puzzle master Alexei Vasiliev for the reading of his will.

Among them are the deceased's widow, who'd already begun divorce proceedings, a virologist troubled by actions in his past, and a convicted murderer on day release. The potential beneficiaries will split Vasiliev's $150M fortune if they participate in his last great work.

The choice is simple: leave the house with nothing or continue in the hope of solving the six interconnecting escape rooms within this house.

Once there, the participants soon discover Puzzle House is far deadlier than it appears and that making their way through the rooms may be a matter of life and death. Someone is watching their every move, toying with them, turning them against each other. With their lives on the line, they are forced to wonder, is it all just a deadly game created by a gleeful sadist or something far more sinister?

©2023 Duncan Ralston (P)2023 Podium Audio

Great book

Another great book by Ralston! Definitely would recommend. Narration was great too. Loved the ending.

A Dizzying Assortment of Twists and Turns

One part Cube, one part Saw, one part The Ninth Gate, and a dash of House On Haunted Hill, Duncan Ralston’s Puzzle House is an excellent book for fans of those movies. If you’re the kind of person who enjoys escape rooms, puzzles, and character studies–you’re in for one hell of a treat. When a mysterious puzzle master dies, his will brings together an assortment of strangers (all but his ex-wife, unfamiliar with the deceased as well)…but that is only the beginning of the mystery.

These people find themselves called to a house that has become something far more sinister, a series of escape rooms with a hefty toll to be paid and life-or-death consequences riding on the solutions. As they struggle to survive the sadistic gauntlet from which the only way out is through, secrets are revealed that connect these apparent strangers in ways that can’t be a coincidence. Somewhere at the core of it all is a mysterious organization with occult origins, and the rats in this maze are battling not only the clock but their own preconceived notions of what is–or can be–real. But will they be able to solve the puzzles that await them, and who will survive the journey into the Puzzle House? And is everyone who they seem to be? You’ll have to dare entry on your own to find out.

This one has one hell of an ending, and it leaves you wishing that you could stay with the story just a little bit longer–to find out what happens next. Ralston does a great job of leaving you hanging but feeling satisfied just the same–forced to decide how you, as the reader, might proceed.

Joe Hempel’s narration of the audiobook is spectacular as always…which should go without saying. He successfully brings the characters to life and pulls the story from the page, leaving the listener immersed in the nightmare environment.

WOW!

I got into the characters very quickly. But the end...,...I'm torn. Will there be a sequel?

Interesting

I enjoyed listing to this audio book! Will lookout for the sequel and listen if it becomes available. :)

It is definitely horror

This is so far outside my normal reading/listening as to be the next universe. I finished it, just to find out the ending. And it was, if you could get through the horror and gore, an amazing listen. Well written, well read, and not something I'd listen to again. YMMV.

Not bad

Narrator was good. Story was a bit meh but not bad. Felt a bit rushed. Definitely kept me listening though.

great story/ narrator

this book will keep you guessing and bitting your nails to the very last sentence! I was engaged in every part. if you love a book you have to work to figure out the next move this is the one for you! narrator is excellent!

horror without a point

I think the puzzles in this puzzle house were clever, but I'm not into unending horror an unrealistic plot and a dismal ending. it was very well performed and I'm sure there are many who like this genre and enjoyed this.

Lots of surprises

I loved this book! I couldn’t stop listening! So many great twists and turns….all the way through to the end! I highlight recommended.

enjoyable story

very enjoyable story! did not see that ending coming. will have to check some more if Ralstons books