Stephen Lang is an actor, playwright, and audiobook narrator. He graduated from Swarthmore College with a degree in English Literature. Married to Kristina Watson for over 35 years, they share four children.
As discussed in the above video, he recently played the blind man Norman Nordstrom in the 2016 released ‘Don’t Breathe’.
For me, his most memorable role was Commander Nathaniel Taylor in the 2011 TV show (regretably only one season), Terra Nova. I know actors often like to play the ‘bad guy’, but I really like him in this straight forward, ‘guy trying to do the best he can for his people’ kind of role.
So imagine my surprise when I listened to Sandra Brown’s Chill Factor and recognized who the narrator was. Not all, but a lot of the really good narrators will have some acting experience, so a narrator who is also currently acting is nothing new.
Still, this is the first time that I can recall, that the actor was someone whose work I was very familiar with. It’s sort of like running into a friend you haven’t seen in a long time. Quite a pleasant surprise.
The story, Chill Factor, is a murder mystery. Five women have gone missing over a 2 year period in a small North Carolina town. The local police department, small and not particularly bright, has no leads or suspects until the FBI begins asking questions about a writer who has spent time off and on in town over the years.
Unexpectedly stranded with the same writer during a blizzard in the house Lily just sold, she begins to wonder herself if this man might be the murderer, and if she will make it out of the storm alive.
With a host of other local characters, the story goes back and forth between the 2 trapped in the house on the mountain, and the FBI and police working their way through the details of the cases.
While I enjoy mysteries, murder mysteries are not my favorites. They are however, big sellers and therefore, easy to find on sale at stores. By far the most common type that I find at yard sales as well which is where I bought this one.
So, taking that into account, overall I found it a good story. There were some spots that I found the writing to be more drawn out than what was resonable to expect, as if the writer was trying to stretch out the story. And the ending was perhaps a bit too convenient, but hey, at least you’re not left hanging.
Had I been reading the physical book myself, it might have made it a slower read. However, with Stephen Lang’s narration, it was less notable and a more enjoyable experience.
I would put Stephen’s narration on Chill Factor to be a solid 3 in my 1-4 scale. Good consistent characters, both men and women. Great technical skills (speed, pronunciations, etc.).
So if you enjoy murder mysteries, or would like to try a good sample of Stephen Lang’s narration, then give Chill Factor by Sandra Brown a chance.
Please leave any comments or suggestions, and from our family to yours, Happy Listening!