The Things That Keep Us Here Audiobook By Carla Buckley cover art

The Things That Keep Us Here

A Novel

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How far would you go to protect your family?

Ann Brooks never thought she’d have to answer that question. Then she found her limits tested by a crisis no one could prevent. Now, as her neighborhood descends into panic, she must make tough choices to protect everyone she loves from a threat she cannot even see. In this chillingly urgent novel, Carla Buckley confronts us with the terrifying decisions we are forced to make when ordinary life changes overnight.

A year ago, Ann and Peter Brooks were just another unhappily married couple trying–and failing–to keep their relationship together while they raised two young daughters. Now the world around them is about to be shaken as Peter, a university researcher, comes to a startling realization: A virulent pandemic has made the terrible leap across the ocean to America’s heartland.

And it is killing fifty out of every hundred people it touches.

As their town goes into lockdown, Peter is forced to return home–with his beautiful graduate assistant. But the Brookses’ safe suburban world is no longer the refuge it once was. Food grows scarce, and neighbor turns against neighbor in grocery stores and at gas pumps. And then a winter storm strikes, and the community is left huddling in the dark.

Trapped inside the house she once called home, Ann Brooks must make life-or-death decisions in an environment where opening a door to a neighbor could threaten all the things she holds dear.

Carla Buckley’s poignant debut raises important questions to which there are no easy answers, in an emotionally riveting tale of one family facing unimaginable stress. Psychological Fiction Exciting Thriller & Suspense Suspense Genre Fiction Sagas

Critic reviews

“What ‘Things’ accurately portrays -- is how mass disaster brings out strength in unexpected quarters and weakness in more surprising places.” —Los Angeles Times

“Chilling, engrossing…. I'd heartily recommend this one to anyone who enjoys suspense and exceptional writing.” —Dallas Morning News
Emotional Journey • Captivating Storyline • Excellent Performance • Likeable Daughter • Thought-provoking Narrative

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I truly enjoyed this book and completely disagree that it was boring. This book made me question what I found wrong and right and why. What are my moral limits. What will I do and NOT do. This book really made me think about my life and love. I found myself questioning everything and finally had a conversation with my best friend as to why we do what we do and when it is acceptable and unacceptable. I love forward to her next book. However, I do have to say that I did not think that 'love story' was robust enough. I didn't understand why she felt this love for him nor him for her. I would truly recommend this book to all.

Great book!

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because it can happen.. It got you thinking a lot about who or what you would do. I couldn't put it down.

Now this is Scary

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Listen to audio books in my car, and more often than not would sit “just a few more minutes” because I didn’t want to stop listening! I loved this book!

Didn’t want to get out of the car!

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This story slowly winds up so stick with it because by the last 3 hours or so, you won't want to stop. Performance was excellent and a great match for the story. I've listened to so many books but this is the first one that got me emotional. I feel like I have been on this journey with all of them. Carla Buckley has become one of my favourite authors!

Really great!

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wow to read this after the pandemic its unreal how so many things were similar yet we were lucky it wasn't this bad. Great audio book

wow

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