Bath Haus

A Thriller

By: P. J. Vernon

Narrated by: Michael Crouch, Daniel Henning

Nominated for a 34th annual Lambda Literary Award • A scintillating thriller with an emotional punch: “The tension builds to unbearably claustrophobic levels. To say more would rob readers of the 'no, he didn’t' suspense that makes Bath Haus an unexpectedly twisted, heart-pounding cat-versus-mouse thriller" (Los Angeles Times).

Oliver Park, a recovering addict from Indiana, finally has everything he ever wanted: sobriety and a loving, wealthy partner in Nathan, a prominent DC trauma surgeon. Despite their difference in age and disparate backgrounds, they've made a perfect life together. With everything to lose, Oliver shouldn't be visiting Haus, a gay bathhouse. But through the entrance he goes, and it's a line crossed. Inside, he follows a man into a private room, and it's the final line. Whatever happens next, Nathan can never know. But then, everything goes wrong, terribly wrong, and Oliver barely escapes with his life.

He races home in full-blown terror as the hand-shaped bruise grows dark on his neck. The truth will destroy Nathan and everything they have together, so Oliver does the thing he used to do so well: he lies.

What follows is a classic runaway-train narrative, full of the exquisite escalations, edge-of-your-seat thrills, and oh-my-god twists. P. J. Vernon's Bath Haus is perfect for listeners curious for their next must-listen novel.

©2021 P. J. Vernon (P)2021 Random House Audio

Critic reviews

A New York Times Editors' Choice Book

The Best Crime Novels of the Year by CrimeReads

A Newsweek Favorite Book of the Year

A Queerties Award Nominee for Best Read

Left Coast Crime “Lefty” Award Nominee for Best Mystery

A Lambda Literary Award Finalist for LGBTQ Mystery

Recommended by The New York Times, O, The Oprah Magazine, The Washington Post, Lambda Literary, LGBTQ Reads, The New York Post, Oprah Daily, Crime by the Book, CrimeReads, Goodreads 2021 Pride Reading List, Jezebel, Entertainment Weekly, and Parade

"As taut as a tightrope. Each twist in this tale of a tryst gone very, very wrong spins the plot into a new and daring direction.” (Riley Sager, New York Times best-selling author of Survive the Night)

“Bath Haus is the gay one night stand from hell - thrilling!” (Silvia Moreno-Garcia, New York Times best-selling author of Velvet Was the Night)

“It’s like if your worst nightmare - and sexual fantasy - came true at the same time.... You won’t be able to put it down.” (Eric Cervini, New York Times best-selling author of The Deviant’s War)

Pretty good, lacks depth

This book was okay. The plot started off interesting and exciting but quickly became a repetitive cover up that never really worked and there weren't any interesting connections to deepen the story. Got pretty tedious and uninteresting at points and the characters poor decisions made it hard to care whether or not they or their relationships survived. Also, about a quarter into the book I noticed that the narrator for Oliver was using a subtle whiny, panicked tone to his voice that never seemed to change for the rest of the book and got REALLY annoying. All of that being said - I felt compelled to finish it so it was interesting enough!

Great Listen!

I loved the multiple voice actors for the different perspectives. Bath Haus was filled with twists and turns and the final one had me gasping. This book got 4 stars because it was such a slow buildup to the real action.

What a wild ride

I wouldn’t call this book super realistic but it was full of twists and turns. My jaw dropped a couple times. Saw it described as “Juicy AF” and agree.

My main complaint would be the narration. The main narrator is fantastic. The secondary narrator was unfortunately not and bordered on caricature for most of the book.

Otherwise, a fun thriller.

allot more sex than thriller

really interesting at many points but it almost feels the writer cares more about sex than the story sometimes needed a better balance. Ending is good will give it that.

A wild ride!

I couldn’t stop. The story drug me in every time I had a few moments to listen. The narration was top notch.

Suspenseful page turner

This suspenseful novel is well narrated and leaves you on the edge of your seat wanting to see what happens next

main character Oliver helped the story come alive.

of all the narrators voices, Oliver's was the best. I struggled a little to like the character Nathan

Really looked forward to this!

The book started off very strong but midway through I found myself struggling to finish. I had to keep restarting chapters and the end was very unexpected almost just boring. I have just learned off this author and really enjoyed the last book and the reason I read this one. I will give him another try

Great story with wonderful twists

This was a fantastic story with good narration. Just when I thought I knew where it was going, it led down another deliciously twisted road.

Wow! From beginning to end!

I have never listened to a thriller before. This was nothing short of great from moment one. There are so many twists and angles and the ending almost doesn’t even matter because there are so many wonderful moments keeping you on edge throughout. The main narrator (there are two) is a great reader/actor. He really embodies the characters and creates drama, tension, fear, innocence. One of the best narrators I’ve ever heard. And his contribution to this thriller was great. I highly suggest this as a listen.