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'Salem's Lot (Movie Tie-in)

Written by: Stephen King
Narrated by: Ron McLarty,Stephen King
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Publisher's Summary

#1 BESTSELLER • Soon to be a new major motion picture • Writer Ben Mears has returned to his childhood home of Jerusalem’s Lot in hopes that exploring the history of the Marsten House, an old mansion long the subject of rumor and speculation, will help him cast out his personal devils and provide inspiration for his new book.    

Writer Ben Mears has returned to his hometown of Jerusalem's Lot with the hope that moving into a delapidated mansion, long the subject of town lore, might help him get a handle on his life and provide inspiration for a new book. But when two young boys venture into the woods and only one comes out alive, Mears begins to realize that there may be something sinister at work.

In time, he comes to understand that his hometown is under siege from forces of darkness far beyond his wildest imagination. And only he, with a small group of allies, can hope to contain the evil that is tearing the town apart.

Motion Picture Artwork © 2022 Warner Bros. Entertainment Inc. All Rights Reserved.

©2012 Stephen King (P)2012 Random House Audio

What the critics say

“A master storyteller.” (The Los Angeles Times)

“Stephen King has built a literary genre of putting ordinary people in the most terrifying situations. . . . He’s the author who can always make the improbable so scary you'll feel compelled to check the locks on the front door.” (The Boston Globe)

“[The] most wonderfully gruesome man on the planet.” (USA Today)

Editorial Review

Master storyteller and best-selling author Stephen King has become synonymous with creepy, suspenseful, and eerie horror stories.

One of his first was Salem’s Lot, which was originally released in 1975. The story has gone through many iterations, including TV shows, mini-series, and the like, and is now available as an audiobook. King uses his signature style to amplify and build tension throughout the story, pulling on themes of horror in a small-town setting fighting against vampires. Salem’s Lot has all the hallmarks of a perfect thriller and is a masterful display of storytelling.

Narrator Ron McLarty brings this creepy story to life in an impeccable performance. His tone and style are well suited to King, and he builds suspense and tension in all the right places. His reading will leave listeners on the edge of their seats, dying to know what happens next. McLarty is a seasoned narrating professional who has voiced works by other literary giants such as Neil Gaiman, Hunter S. Thompson, and David Baldacci. This reading is just as triumphant as the rest and showcases his narration talents and skill. He even manages to swap between characters such as Kurt Barlow, Ben Mears, and Richard K Straker with ease.

Stephen King audiobooks bring his works to life. His writing is careful and nuanced, and the atmosphere and tone of the story are only enhanced by being told out loud. King and McLarty both have a knack for thrillers and spin a gripping, tense story. This vampire novel will pull listeners in and not let go until the very end. Audiences will be hooked, entertained, and downright scared by the level of horror and fear both King and McLarty generate. The result is a horror novel that has stood the test of time and spawned many a King fan. This classic King novel is still one of the best and scariest horror books of the modern age. It is a must-add to any scary story wishlist and is one of the great books of its genre.

Featured Article: Stephen King’s 32 Best Audiobooks: The Definitive List

Stephen King is one of the most prolific authors of all time. He has published 61 novels, more than 200 short stories, and six nonfiction books—and he shows no sign of stopping. With such an extensive portfolio, choosing one audiobook can be daunting. We’ve compiled a list of the 32 best Stephen King audiobooks to make the choice easier. Whether you’re looking to get stuck into one of his creepy, classic stories or a sci-fi novella, you’ll find a title on this list that will get your heart racing.

What listeners say about 'Salem's Lot (Movie Tie-in)

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great

Loved it but, the beginning was so slow and hard to get through. It picked up after that though!

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5 people found this helpful

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A Terrifying tale of Evil

In an age of sexy vampires (twilight saga and sookie stackhouse series) it’s a treat to revisit an era where vampires were truly terrifying. Stephen King’s book examines the effect of Introducing Evil with a capital E in a small town and he is able to capture the feeling of despair that our protagonists experience. Ron McLarty’s narration truly brings those tense feelings to life!
All in all an enjoyable experience from the forward to the epilogue.

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One of King's Spookiest.

After close to five decades since it was first published, Salem's Lot holds up to high standards as a well-crafted horror novel, replete with fascinating characters, a scary story line and all the talent Stephen King could pack into one novel. To make it all the better, Ron McClarty's narration brings this excellent book to life.

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Great, but not King's scariest work

While this was an enjoyable read I would say that it's on the weaker end in terms of King-scariness. Well written and definitely still spooky but at no point was there any legitimate terror. I was looking for terrifying so that's the only downside.

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This generation’s greatest novelist

Stephen King is unparalleled when it comes to crafting a story you can really sink your teeth into, Salem’s Lot is another example of this.
The story moves a little quick in some parts, but the characters are well developed and they continue to grow throughout the entirety of the book.
His attention to detail is definitely apparent in any of King’s work and this is one of many reasons I will continue to pursue his works in the future.
A great story to get lost in with an ending that doesn’t make a person feel as if they were left with any ‘what if’ or ‘then what happened?’ moments.

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Excellent!

Read this book when it came out. It’s been a long time, so I enjoyed it all over again. Stephen King is the most talented writer!

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LOVED IT!

This book was utterly amazing! I’m not huge into vampires but this book had me captivated in it. I couldn’t wait to hear what happened next. It was eerie, and the descriptions of each and every scene made me feel like I was watching the movie. Would highly, highly recommend this book.

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Hard to capture attention

I love almost all of Stephen kings books. This was the first one where I just didn’t care to continue. I finished it, but… meh

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still great

it's been many years since I first read this book and decidedbit was time for a re-read. it's still great

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Boring

The only word that pops into my mind after finishing this book is "Boring."
Now before I get into the details, I understand that this was only his 2nd published novel, we all started somewhere.

The Story feels like it doesn't focus on Vampires, but rather a huge dramatic love quest, and pesky Vampires are just getting in the way of all of it.

The "gruesome" scenes cut before any scary details can be made, then it goes back to another 2 hours of boring filler.

The narration is painfully boring. Ron McLarty lacks emotion when necessary, and often doesn't match the tone/energy that you'd imagine the book to be portraying. Many moments that could have made this book exciting and scary were lost due to his lack of emotion and energy. However, the accent on Barlow is fairly entertaining.

The one topic that I thoroughly enjoyed that was scattered throughout the book was the Vietnam war. This book was published the year the war ended, so King had lots to say about the going-on's of one of the most horrifying wars in history.

All in all, if you want to experience this book, get a physical copy and read it yourself, or listen to this audio book at 1.6x speed.

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  • Tami
  • 2012-10-02

A Great Performance of an Excellent Story

Being a admirer of Stephen King's writing pretty much from day one, I read this in it's first printing. I absolutely loved it and have re-read it many time over the years. I almost didn't get it on Audible for that reason and I would have been making a huge mistake.

Hearing a story read, even a beloved favorite can bring out all sorts of little things that you never realized you missed. Salem's Lot is one of those stories. Read very well by Ron McLarty, the story of a town infested by vampires and it's inability to understand what is happen to it, is enthralling and chilling. Modern rationality keeps the majority of the Lot's inhabitants from realizing that The Master is among them. Only a handful of people, an alcoholic priest, an author who can't let go of childhood nightmares, a young boy with a preternatural knowledge and intensity, and a high school teacher who suspends his belief. They stand opposite of Barlow, a centuries old vampire who intends to end them.

This is Stephen King discovering his gift and using it to keep you up all night. I highly recommend it. Whether you have read it or not, you will find a story that will fascinate and scare the pants off of you!

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  • David S. Mathew
  • 2016-10-12

You can't go home again...

Recently, Steven King said that Salem's Lot is his favorite of his novels partly because it's about small towns which are rapidly disappearing from rural America. It was his second novel, the first is Carrie, but years later it still holds up as a first class vampire novel.

The voice performance is also top notch, but I've always been a sucker (pun intended) for Simon & Schuster audiobooks. Welcome to Salem's Lot. Highly recommended!

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  • Mel
  • 2012-10-25

King's Favorite Novel? Good Enough For Me!

Fond of keeping the blood curdling throughout the month of October, I was looking for only the best of the spine-tinglers, the elite nightmare elicitors, the ones that scare the bejesus out of you and have you even welcoming your dog onto your clean bedspread for the night. While there are some awfully good reads out there, I harkened back to one that I read in 1975 (when I was 5 yrs. old)--one of only 3 books that has truly ever creeped me out (one being The Exorcist and the other scares me too much to mention!). And, it is a pedigreed chiller, claimed by the King himself to be his favorite child...Salem's Lot. He even dedicated this one to his daughter. *Do not think of the terrible mini-series...it did not do this one justice.

Dracula, Count Orlok (Nosferatu), and Mr. Barlow...the aristocracy of vampires (Lestat was just too well behaved). There is something undeniably exclusive to Dracula - despite all the gore clever authors can think up, or all the modern diabolical twists and turns -- Count Dracula still reigns supreme as the black-hearted grandaddy of them all. King takes Stoker's lore of Dracula, revives it, and brings it out of the dank castle cellars of Transylvania to a small town in modern Maine (of course--but it could be anywhere, USA) as Mr. Barlow. There are no new evolved vampirical powers, just the original undiluted horror of the Vampire. [*Note" On this most recent recording, the author gives a brief introduction for the story, explaining how his idea evolved into the book--really fun.]

The battle is between pure good and absolute evil -- and more importantly, convincing townfolk that there is a vampire in town - an actual bloodsucking demon of the night - before they themselves are recruited to this legion of the undead. The 1970's rural town is wonderfully depicted, full of the kind of hay-seed characters, and that small town party-line feeling King is known for creating so richly. His personal bone-to-pick with small towns comes through loud and clear as he devours the residents without mercy, relishing in extinguishing the abusers, gossipers, and Salem's Lot ne'er-do-wells. The narrator enriches the story with the appropriate chills...if you pardon his un-even delivery of Mr.Barlow's dialect (3.5*).

For fans of the good-ol' garlic-hating, crucifix-fearing, coffin-dwelling, sun-dreading vampire...dig this one out and brush off the dust. It holds up perfectly and deserves to be held in equal esteem with the best of the worst vamps and their stories. You don't need my recommendation; if Stephen King -- the man who has defined what goes bump in the night -- says this is his personal favorite out of his own novels, you know it's got to be wonderfully deliciously dreadful.
[*Disclaimer: I'm not a fan of abundant gore, and haven't read much of Koontz or Barker!]

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  • C. Keogh
  • 2013-03-28

Had me gripping my steering wheel!

This book is an excellent example of Stephen King's talent for building tension. I was listening to this story on my way to visit my folks out in the country and I found myself shouting, "Kill it! Kill the bastard already! Just do it! ARGGGGGGGHHHHH!!!" The way he describes people turning corners or tiptoeing down some dark stairs - you can almost hear the building music in the movie scene from your mind. It is difficult to keep to the description of the characters in the story without thinking of the old TV series - who can extinguish the image of the crazy blue Nosferatu from the 70's? I thoroughly enjoyed this book. As is true of his writing style I did find myself glazing over from a little too much description at times, though not often and I left the story feeling as though this place truly exists somewhere outside of Cumberland, Maine. Highly recommend.

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  • Agnieszka
  • 2013-05-14

Classic

Where does Salem's Lot rank among all the audiobooks you’ve listened to so far?

High top of the list

What did you like best about this story?

A small city's description, perfectly written characters (all of them).

What about Ron McLarty’s performance did you like?

Yes, very much. But the quality of the recording wasn't good enough.

Did you have an extreme reaction to this book? Did it make you laugh or cry?

My favorite thing about the book was how small, inconspicuous details are building the horror atmosphere. Stephen King is the MASTER!!!

Any additional comments?

It isn't easy to write a good book about the vampires. This one is a masterpiece!!!

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  • 23+CMB+23
  • 2012-11-02

Great story, not so great narrator

Would you recommend this book to a friend? Why or why not?

I recommend th book but not the audiobook. The narrator's tone of voice is flat and dull. Listen to a sample before you buy the audiobook!

What didn’t you like about Ron McLarty’s performance?

I didn't like the narrator's lack of enthusiasm in telling the story. His voice is flat and tired. I have read this book in the past (I've read most of Stephen King's books) so I knew the story already, but I didn't finish the audiobook because I found the narrator's dullness unbearable to listen to.

Could you see Salem's Lot being made into a movie or a TV series? Who should the stars be?

Already been done, twice.

Any additional comments?

My advice for "constant listeners" is that you listen to a sample of the audiobook you are purchasing before making the decision to buy it. When you listen to a book the narrator's involvement in telling the story is vital, but if the narrator fails to do so with vitality it ruins the story altogether.

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  • Inkish Kingdoms . com
  • 2018-12-03

This ... is what I am talking about!!

Once again, I see King at his best in Salem’s Lot. Gothic elements and inspiration from Dracula make this story an amazing and unbelievable amalgamation of classics and uniqueness of King’s style. The haunted house, the dark ghosts, the dark powers of human nature and actions impregnated in the walls of a house. The energy that corrupts not only the body and mind but also the mortar and foundation of the family’s sanctuary.

For more about this book, essay, review, or other books, check out Inkish Kindgdoms. Wordpress.

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  • shelley
  • 2014-04-14

Brought back memories..,

What did you love best about Salem's Lot?

I LOVE this book. I read it originally when it was first published and remember finishing it and starting over from the beginning to read it again. This was my first and favorite Stephen King novel.

What was one of the most memorable moments of Salem's Lot?

When I find myself looking back to something in my past I think of the poem quoted at the beginning of this book "Old friend what are you looking for..."

What does Ron McLarty bring to the story that you wouldn’t experience if you just read the book?

I thought Ron McLarty did a super job. Easy differentiation between characters.

If you were to make a film of this book, what would the tag line be?

There was a film made and it was terrible.

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  • Eric Mochnacz
  • 2018-03-07

Creepy...but a bit dusty.

If you could sum up Salem's Lot in three words, what would they be?

Ultimately, this is a creepy novel that builds tension as a vampire lays his teeth into a small, unsuspecting teen. It starts of slow, but moves as quickly as the vampire infection, and turns into a tense, nail-biting, damn scary thriller. Some aspects of the story don't hold well over time, so certain parts did seem a bit dusty.

So...Dusty, Scary, Creepy

Which character – as performed by Ron McLarty and Stephen King – was your favorite?

McLarty performed all the characters pretty evenly.

Was there a moment in the book that particularly moved you?

The scene where Danny Glick scratches on Mark Petrie's windows brought back nightmares of the "Salem's Lot" TV miniseries. Also, when Mike Ryerson attacks Matt Burke the teacher and McLarty reads as Ryerson - his voice completely conveys the creepiness and fright of the moment.

Any additional comments?

I was a bit concerned when this book first started, is it does start off as a bit of a 70s romance novel more than a vampire novel. But, then I began to realize that was why it was so masterfully written. The story starts off as innocent, with some creepy elements, especially with the ever present Marsten house...and as the vampire's presence becomes known, the story picks up and moves beyond the innocent love story and quickly becomes a tense, scary horror novel.

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  • DaWoolf
  • 2014-05-01

Thank God! Not Twilight

Any additional comments?

Stephen King has written over 150 different stories, but his reported favorite of the bunch is"Salem's Lot" (1975). Salem's Lot (SL) was King's second book following Carrie (1974). In my opinion, King loved SL because it represented a transition between stories about unique individuals to stories about groups of characters interacting in social systems under duress. SL is ultimately about a group of small town folk dealing with a vampire crisis. When reading/listening to SL, true Stephen King fans will feel the rumblings of his more complex future works (IT, The Stand, and The Dome), where large groups of people form alliances to survive a supernatural calamity. With SL, King begins to lay out the formula that he will return to build some of his best novels.

Although SL has interesting historical significance for King fans, the book limps along for the first 40% of the story. King seems to struggle setting up the chess board for future play. His introduction of characters are often too long and their individual stories are often irrelevant to the plot. Considering the overall length of the book (it's a long one), it seems to meander pointlessly during several sections.

However, King kicks SL into high gear just before halftime. What follows is an exciting and well designed adventure that should not be missed. SL may be King's scariest book with so many wonderfully chilling scenes that you will certainly not sleep with your bedroom windows open despite the summer heat. I also admired King's complete knowledge of the Bram Stoker's "Dracula" and the vampire genre. King does his homework and does not reinvent vampires to sensationalize his story. There are no Stephanie Myer invented vampires here, King's vampires will eat your babies and poop out their remains.

Overall, I would recommend SL to all readers/listeners who enjoy SK or horror books in general. However, you cannot quit on this book until your more than halfway in. If you're not hooked by the halfway point your probably not going to be hooked at all.

On my book rank order evaluation system, SL ranks 37th of the 66 books I have read/listened to over the last 2 years.

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  • Anonymous User
  • 2023-08-06

American Vampires

One of my favorite takes on the vampire myth, and a solid novel from King despite being one of his earliest works. Narration was excellent at times, especially when characters are getting emotional. A slow burn that takes its time, perhaps a tad long at times but King has a way of making trivial things interesting so it is only a small non issue in a sea of great things !

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