You Like It Darker

By: Stephen King

Narrated by: Stephen King, Will Patton

WINNER OF THE 2025 AUDIO PUBLISHERS ASSOCIATION AUDIE AWARD FOR BEST SHORT STORY COLLECTION

'You like it darker? Fine, so do I', writes Stephen King in the afterword to this magnificent new collection of twelve stories that delve into the darker part of life - both metaphorical and literal. King has, for half a century, been a master of the form, and these stories, about fate, mortality, luck, and the folds in reality where anything can happen, are as rich and riveting as his novels, both weighty in theme and a huge pleasure to read. King writes to feel 'the exhilaration of leaving ordinary day-to-day life behind', and in You Like it Darker, readers will feel that exhilaration too, again and again.

'Two Talented Bastids' explores the long-hidden secret of how the eponymous gentlemen got their skills. In 'Danny Coughlin's Bad Dream', a brief and unprecedented psychic flash upends dozens of lives, Danny's most catastrophically. In 'Rattlesnakes', a sequel to Cujo, a grieving widower travels to Florida for respite and instead receives an unexpected inheritance - with major strings attached. In 'The Dreamers', a taciturn Vietnam vet answers a job ad and learns that there are some corners of the universe best left unexplored. 'The Answer Man' asks if prescience is good luck or bad and reminds us that a life marked by unbearable tragedy can still be meaningful.

King's ability to surprise, amaze, and bring us both terror and solace remains unsurpassed. Each of these stories holds its own thrills, joys, and mysteries; each feels iconic. You like it darker? You got it.

'As classic as King's novels are, his shorter fiction has been just as gripping over the years' - USA Today

'One of the great storytellers of our time' - Guardian©2024 Stephen King (P)2024 Hodder & Stoughton Limited

I just love it

I love Stephen Kings books and this didn't dissapoint. Some great great stories, I can't get enough!

He’s done it again!

I’m probably not the most objective person in the world when it comes to Stephen King.

I love probably 99% of his work, especially when coupled with Will Paton as the narrator. Will brings the characters to life, his voice transports you into the world of Stephen Kings mind. Enjoy 😊

some of the stories were excellent and

some of the stories weren't to my liking at all. I wish they would give some kind of classification as horror and dark fiction spans many sub genres.

Stephen King really is the greatest.

These stories are all excellent, while the two longer ones are something better. Am so grateful to be able to listen to such incredible penmanship.

Possibly my favourite SK short story collection so far

I absolutely loved this. I love all of King's work, to greater or lesser degrees. But I do have my favourites. Of the four or five short story collections I've read of his, this may well be my favourite. Almost all the stories are brilliant. And the few that aren't, are pretty darn close to it.