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Gilded Needles cover art

Gilded Needles

By: Michael McDowell
Narrated by: R.C. Bray
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Summary

Welcome to the Black Triangle, New York's decadent district of opium dens, gambling casinos, drunken sailors, gaudy hookers, and back-room abortions. The queen of this unsavory neighborhood is Black Lena Shanks, whose family leads a ring of female criminals - women skilled in the art of cruelty.

Only a few blocks away, amidst the elegant mansions and lily-white reputations of Gramercy Park and Washington Square, lives Judge James Stallworth. On a crusade to crush Lena's evil empire, the judge has sentenced three of her family members to death. And now she wants revenge.

One Sunday, all the Stallworths receive invitations - to their own funerals. Can even the wealth and power of the Stallworth family protect them from Lena's diabolical lust for vengeance?

This first-ever republication of Michael McDowell's chilling classic of revenge features a new introduction by Christopher Fowler and cover art by Mike Mignola.

©2016 Michael McDowell (P)2017 Valancourt Books

Critic reviews

"Riveting, terrifying, and just absolutely great...Michael McDowell must now be regarded as the finest writer of paperback originals in America." (Stephen King)
"One of the best writers of horror in this country." (Peter Straub)

What listeners say about Gilded Needles

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  • Overall
    4 out of 5 stars
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    4 out of 5 stars

The story is in the blurb

I was a little disappointed that the blurb basically tells the entire story of the book – it’s not a prelude, it’s literally a full summary of the entire story. This kind of ruined the book for me, making it seem predictable and hollow. This is a real shame because the story itself was really good and well written. I’m sure it would have been much more enjoyable without the pre-expectations, adding a bit of suspense. Thankfully, R. C. Bray’s excellent narration is always a wonder to listen to and that really helped a lot, saving the experience from total disappointment.

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2 people found this helpful

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    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars

very satisfying book

The chataxter were well drawn. Listened to it in one sitting. i enjoyed this book immensely

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1 person found this helpful

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

Author and Narrator perfection!

Match made in heaven. Thoroughly enjoyable listen. I first came across this pairing in 'The Elementals' which I also highly recommend.

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1 person found this helpful

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

An evil vision of revenge in 19th century New York

This was a truly dark story about revenge in 19th century New York. A harrowing tail of how things were in those times where everything was based on power, class, money, greed and violence. This story transports you to a time you would not want to have lived in regardless of class, rich or poor - in America both were pure elements of evil it seems according to the author. This is an amazing story and the deceptive nature transports you to this time, but be warned if you have a strong imagination you'll get a little depressed with the scene, story and dialogue the author conveys - but of course only RC Bray can bring it all to life.

I thought half way through that I really am grateful not to have been born in a place like that full of selfish violent people but I suspect England at the time was like that but more so America due to the immense wealth on offer and it's free market economy...

A must read for anyone interested in dark stories of revenge especially in 19th century with an author that has the ability to transport you there.

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    5 out of 5 stars
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  • ds
  • 09-03-24

Cruel and gripping

An amazing story with plots and twists
Gripping to the end
Perfect choice of narrator


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  • Overall
    2 out of 5 stars
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    2 out of 5 stars

Too much exposition & too little dialog

With about 6 hours left I gave up because I couldn't follow any of the characters in their detailed surroundings. We are served street names that are supposed to mean something, detailed descriptions of rooms and surrounding but no characters to occupy them, very little dialog to carry the story. Just beautifully written descriptions of a world that is difficult to care about.
I've no idea what I'm listening to and where the story is supposed to go.
The narration was very good.

'Cold Moon over Babylon' by the same author was much more enjoyable.

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

Delightfully creepy!

This is a slow burn horror but the creepy denouement is worth the wait!

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