Rating: 
Summary: It put me to sleep
Review: That's right, friends and neighbors - hearing the King read his own works zonked me right out. These stories may just work on the printed page, or perhaps with somebody else reading them - but certainly not Stephen King. His voice just drones, on and on, ad infinitum (almost ad nauseam) in a monotone that only slightly varies when his characters get a tad emotional.It really pains me to have to say this, because I've loved everything King has ever written (except the Dark Tower series, which makes absolutely no sense at all) - but he's a much better writer than a reader. Note that I say "reader", not "speaker". I've heard him speak, both off the cuff and in a lecture, and he's much more emotional and emphatic in those modes. Please, Stephen, put these stories out in a book, or get someone else to read them. The blurb on the case that says "read by the author" is a nice gimmick, but that's all it is - a gimmick.
Rating: 
Summary: 1408
Review: There is no doubt that Stephen King is a master of horror, and to hear him read his tales is more than satisfying. But the reason every King fan should own this audiobook is for the truly terrifying reading of what is possibly King's scariest short: "1408."
I'm a seasoned King reader (I've read everything he's written except the "Dark Tower" series). When I read "1408," I spent fifteen minutes scaring into space and collecting my wits. When I listened to King read it, I shook in my bed. King's controlled voice bends and shifts as he rasps the terrifying words that come from the telephone, as he methodically describes the wrongness of the room. It is a masterpiece.
Buy this. Just don't listen to it in the dark.
Rating:
Summary: Another Winner from Stephen King
Review: This audio book was a nice surprise from Mr. King. Just in time for the holidays, like a Christmas present from my favorite author. This title is only available on audio, so don't bother looking for a book version. It is 3 stories read by the author himself, all dealing with smoking, hence the title, and you can't have a Stephen King book without a little blood. This audio is cleverly packaged like a cigarette box and even contains a warning label not to listen to in the dark. A true treat for any Stephen King fan. "1408"~is about a bestselling author of true ghost stories who faces the ultimate challenge: spend a night in New York City's most haunted hotelroom--and he must live to write about it without the help of his ex-best friends, his cigarettes. "In The Deathroom"~This one is about a man who is held captive in South American and discovers smoking isn't always hazardous to your health. "Lunch at the Gotham Cafe"~is about a man going through some intensely painful times--his wife has just left him and he's just quit smoking. He's hoping for a reconciliation, but what happens when he meets his estranged wife and her lawyer for lunch at a cafe in NYC will shock you.
Rating:
Summary: great for the road (but not at night)
Review: This is King at his best -- writting dark and scary -- he is a master at making the skin on the back of your neck crawl as you fear for the next horror to unfold -- Of the three short but very chilling stories -- the 2nd is great -- it reminded me of the terror of IT as he draws that perfect picture of the unknown -- Many writters can scare you with a monster that they summoned up from their twisted imagination -- but King lets your mind close around your own fears and terrors like no one else can -- Grab this one for your next road trip -- just don't play it when your alone at night
Rating: 
Summary: Good.
Review: This is very weird and exciting just like all Stephen King's books. I think you should also try "The Breathing Method" by Stephen King on tapes, both I bought together, and both are really good.
Rating:
Summary: Surprisingly Enjoyable
Review: This trilogy of tales, loosely framed around smoking and narrated by King his ownself, was surprisingly fun. I had been expecting at best a dull narration of latter day King. But Surprise! Not only does the author weave some enjoyable yarns, as narrator he is quite entertaining: often funny, often scary. The stories are Old King, the kind that will leave chills up and down your spine, stories that will leave an impression. I especially enjoyed most the first of these tales, 'Lunch at the Gotham Cafe', with King acting the roles of the various characters. I loved how he played the mad maitre de, at once coming across as darkly comical, gradually morphing into something much more deeply sinister. I also enjoyed the second story '1408', a sort of reprise on the Shining, but with the Overlook-like Hotel in NYC. The nature of the evil and why certain things happen is nver made clear, but the effects are great. The last story is a non-supernatural one about torture in a Latin American Bannana republic. I'm sure it will offend a few, especially with the overusage of 'We don't need no stinkin' badges!' Still, King's character immitations and voice inflections are fun
Rating:
Summary: The Master returns
Review: This, as far as I'm concerned, is the first frightening bit of horror Mr. King has released in quite some time. And it rocks. The first story petered out like ZZ Top song with no substative ending, but beyond that, this collection thumps. I don't scare easily, but the story 1408 had me doing sanity checks for the next two days. I don't know if I'll ever stay in an old hotel again. The exposition leading to the horror is unparalleled. The horror itself NEVER lets you go. The falling action, as it turns out, is just a little more horror, toned down to allow our pulses to normalize. The last story is just a bit of flavor and a good yarn like the first, but unlike the first, it feels more complete. But, my God, the second tale, 1408, must be heard to be believed. Listen to it in the dark, alone, at night, preferably in an old hotel room.
Rating:
Summary: Pleasantly surprised!
Review: Though I've read plenty of Stephen King over the years, this was the first audiobook I listened to. I didn't think King would make a very good reader, but he did an excellent job with his three excellent novellas. Truly fun and entertaining stuff.
Rating:
Summary: Some great ghost stories
Review: Three stories that will keep you on the edge of your seat. If you like to listen to a good ghost story this is a must from the first of the 3 stories to the end, these will keep you on the edge of your seat and will make you think, what is real and what is not.
Rating: 
Summary: WONDERFUL POSSIBILITIES, MIXED RESULTS
Review: While patiently waiting for The Wolves of the Calla to come out I picked up Blood and Smoke. These three stories strike me as a mixed bag. All of them started with great ideas but in my opinion, only one fully delivers on its promise. It is unfortunate that the first story, Lunch at the Gotham Café, is the weakest. This story--centering on the feelings of betrayal and loss brought on by divorce and an unthinkable event over lunch--just doesn't do it for me. King may get to the root of the fears and emotions involved here but I was left cold by the pointless Catcher in the Rye-esque ending. 1408 is a very well crafted story. I can't help thinking how much more it could have been though. Given more space than one single audio cassette, this story could have been great. The jewel of this collection is In the Deathroom. What King does here in a very short space is remarkable. True character development, suspense, even catharsis--young short story authors should study this one. I couldn't help noticing that the hero of 1408's last name was Dearborn. We will all be reading more of Will Dearborn soon. Until then--Blood and Smoke is a decent way to pass the time. For all of its unevenness, I recommend Blood and Smoke.
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