The Stone Man - A Science Fiction Thriller, Book 1

Matt Addis carries this audiobook like a seasoned actor, not just a voice performer. His take on Andy Pointer—a disillusioned reporter with a razor-sharp tongue and a knack for bad decisions—is spot-on, balancing cynicism with unexpected vulnerability. When the stone man appears mid-monologue, Addis shifts into something almost inhuman, his voice distorting just enough to sell the terror without devolving into parody. The pacing is relentless, too, though I’ll admit the middle act drags slightly as the story drifts into exposition-heavy territory. Some scenes feel like they’re treading water, which is frustrating when the premise begs for more kinetic energy. Still, the production is crisp, with subtle but effective sound design that grounds the impossible in reality. My biggest critique? The supporting cast sometimes feels underdeveloped—secondary characters like the scientist or the military liaison could’ve used more depth to round out the worldbuilding. That said, the stone man himself is a fantastic villain: silent, unstoppable, and weirdly tragic, a force of nature that forces the entire cast to confront their own fragility. If you want sci-fi that hits you in the gut instead of the intellect, this is a strong pick—just don’t expect a tidy resolution.