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 - Good...not greatI thought this story was good but could have been better. It was so underdeveloped it almost seemed unfinished. I am still wondering what happened to the poor old guy that ran the bridge. Oh, and just an FYI for those of you who seemed confused by the title, I believe it is a reference to the kid's story "Gingerbread man" as in "run, run as fast as you can, you can't catch me I'm the gingerbread man." Rating:  - An efficient little thrillerMare Winningham does an excellent job narrating this two-CD audio version of Stephen King's long story. It doesn't feel long, though. This one is a well-built thrill ride, and King proves once again that he can reach into his bag of tricks and scare the daylights out of the listener. The story is simple almost to the point of bare-bones, but it has a lot of tension and plenty of surprises in store. Any fan of King who enjoys audiobooks will like this one. It's not profound, but it's great at what it does, gripping the listener in a vice of tension and suspense and not letting go. Saying any more would only risk spoiling this delightful treat for King's fans. Rating: - At least it's something by Stephen KingIt's Stephen King, it's not too long, and it's beautifully read by Mare Winningham (who also read Lisey's Story on audio cd). It wasn't my favorite story by him, but it wasn't bad. It's definately suspenseful in parts, but I felt a little cheated at the end. Rating:  - Suspensful and EngrossingThis story had me on the edge of my seat, begging to hear more and gasping in fear right along with Emily. I became Emily in my imagination and suffered along with her. Her fears were mine as well as her triumphs. This is one I will listen to again and share with my friends and family. Rating:  - Not King's bestHaving read and/or listened to nearly all of King's work (okay, uncle, I didn't make it through _Insomnia_ or _Lisey's Story_), I have to say that this falls somewhere between _Gerald's Game_ and _Rose Madder_. This isn't King at his worst, but he's not at his best either. Other than _The Girl Who Loved Tom Gordon_ (and that was written from the kid's POV), I'm not at all sure that King does well when it comes to writing about women or from a woman's point of view. As was the case with Lisey, this female protagonist was neither believable nor particularly interesting, and the action was drawn-out waaaayyyy too long. Oh, and I agree with another reviewer: just WHAT did the title have to do with ANYTHING? The narrator was credible; she's a bit like Lindsay Crouse who did _Gerald's Game_, but I found myself glancing repeatedly at my iPod, wondering just how much longer I had to listen to the perils of Pauline. If Florida is to become King's next "Maine" -- as it seems from this and _Duma Key_ -- then I hope he figures out something more interesting to do in such claustrophobic climes. _Duma Key_ was very good, but if I have to sit through one more island narrative, I might build myself a raft.
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