close
Bad Monkeys: A Novel Audiobook, by Matt Ruff Play Audiobook Sample

Bad Monkeys: A Novel Audiobook

Bad Monkeys: A Novel Audiobook, by Matt Ruff Play Audiobook Sample
FlexPass™ Price: $15.95
$9.95 for new members!
(Includes UNLIMITED podcast listening)
  • Love your audiobook or we'll exchange it
  • No credits to manage, just big savings
  • Unlimited podcast listening
Add to Cart
$9.95/m - cancel anytime - 
learn more
OR
Regular Price: $20.99 Add to Cart
Read By: Emily Woo Zeller, Greg Tremblay, Gary Tiedemann Publisher: HarperAudio Listen Time: at 1.0x Speed 4.83 hours at 1.5x Speed 3.63 hours at 2.0x Speed Release Date: March 2020 Format: Unabridged Audiobook ISBN: 9780063005280

Quick Stats About this Audiobook

Total Audiobook Chapters:

18

Longest Chapter Length:

76:32 minutes

Shortest Chapter Length:

17 seconds

Average Chapter Length:

24:08 minutes

Audiobooks by this Author:

3

Other Audiobooks Written by Matt Ruff: > View All...

Publisher Description

“Bad Monkeys has wit and imagination by the bucketload. . . . Buy it, read it, memorize then destroy it. There are eyes everywhere.”—Chris Moore, bestselling author of A Dirty Job and Lamb

Jane Charlotte has been arrested for murder. She tells police that she is a member of a secret organization devoted to fighting evil; her division is called the Department for the Final Disposition of Irredeemable Persons—“Bad Monkeys” for short. This confession earns Jane a trip to the jail’s psychiatric wing, where a doctor attempts to determine whether she is lying, crazy, or playing a different game altogether.

Clever and gripping, full of unexpected twists and turns, teasing existential musings, and captivating prose, Bad Monkeys unfolds at lightning speed, taking readers to another realm of imagination.

Download and start listening now!

"Wow... I couldn't put it down. Bad Monkeys was really fun and violent at times. Just as they describe it on the back cover... "The Matrix meets Silence of the Lambs in this page turning psychological thriller". It was fast paced, the protagonist was complex, and the setting was fabulous. Loved it until the last 20 pages or so, where it just seemed to drop off. Maybe another edit for the last pages would have helped, but it wouldn't stop me from reading it again!"

— Lea (4 out of 5 stars)

Quotes

  • “Fast. Wicked. Scarily clever, and equally fun for those who like thrillers and those who don’t.”

    — Neal Stephenson, #1 New York Times bestselling author

Bad Monkeys Listener Reviews

Overall Performance: 3.5161290322580645 out of 53.5161290322580645 out of 53.5161290322580645 out of 53.5161290322580645 out of 53.5161290322580645 out of 5 (3.52)
5 Stars: 7
4 Stars: 10
3 Stars: 7
2 Stars: 6
1 Stars: 1
Narration: 5 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 5 (5.00)
5 Stars: 1
4 Stars: 0
3 Stars: 0
2 Stars: 0
1 Stars: 0
Story: 5 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 5 (5.00)
5 Stars: 1
4 Stars: 0
3 Stars: 0
2 Stars: 0
1 Stars: 0
Write a Review
  • Overall Performance: 5 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 5 Narration Rating: 5 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 5 Story Rating: 5 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 5

    — Igor Zor, 1/15/2022
  • Overall Performance: 3 out of 53 out of 53 out of 53 out of 53 out of 5 Narration Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5 Story Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5

    " Really fun, but didn't like the ending. "

    — Amanda, 2/17/2014
  • Overall Performance: 4 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 5 Narration Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5 Story Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5

    " Pleasently suprised. I am going to check out more by this author. "

    — Spencer, 2/7/2014
  • Overall Performance: 5 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 5 Narration Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5 Story Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5

    " an exciting, thrilling, tripped out story. is it a spy novel? an adventure story? a psychological head-trip? I don't even know how to describe it, but it was fascinating and I couldn't put it down (well, I had to because I couldn't keep my eyes open any more... but I finished it the next day) "

    — Tim, 1/26/2014
  • Overall Performance: 5 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 5 Narration Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5 Story Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5

    " I loved this book. It was a one or two sitting read. Very off the wall. Lots of fun. "

    — Kathleen, 1/26/2014
  • Overall Performance: 4 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 5 Narration Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5 Story Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5

    " the story kept me interested throughout along with some interesting action...guns that shoot heart attacks and seizures, organizations that see 'everything' and bombs that disinegrate the target leaving only their shoes and clothes "

    — Mokieblylk, 1/7/2014
  • Overall Performance: 4 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 5 Narration Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5 Story Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5

    " Such a unique story, it will make you question everything around you when you finish it! And you won't be able to see posters or pictures the same way every again. Definitely a good read!!! "

    — Jillian, 1/5/2014
  • Overall Performance: 2 out of 52 out of 52 out of 52 out of 52 out of 5 Narration Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5 Story Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5

    " Eh. My mom & brother read this before I did and really liked it. I thought it was weird. Oh well. "

    — Shayna, 1/5/2014
  • Overall Performance: 5 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 5 Narration Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5 Story Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5

    " The epic struggle between the true machinations manipulating good and evil is finally revealed. Many many many, and then even more plot twists! "

    — Books, 1/4/2014
  • Overall Performance: 3 out of 53 out of 53 out of 53 out of 53 out of 5 Narration Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5 Story Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5

    " This was fairly good but it was obviously diverting far enough from reality that I had difficulty maintaining suspension of disbelief. "

    — Al, 12/31/2013
  • Overall Performance: 4 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 5 Narration Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5 Story Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5

    " I really liked it. Fast moving with a twist I didn't see coming. "

    — Dawn, 12/13/2013
  • Overall Performance: 2 out of 52 out of 52 out of 52 out of 52 out of 5 Narration Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5 Story Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5

    " Very twisty and turn-y. A kindle read. "

    — Miss, 12/12/2013
  • Overall Performance: 4 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 5 Narration Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5 Story Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5

    " Loved it! Easy read, entertaining, great characters. I really liked the style of writing. "

    — Leigh, 11/24/2013
  • Overall Performance: 3 out of 53 out of 53 out of 53 out of 53 out of 5 Narration Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5 Story Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5

    " I really liked the story. Creative and pretty interesting. I lost a little interest towards the end with the number of twists and turns, but the ending was certainly not what I expected. "

    — Catherine, 11/11/2013
  • Overall Performance: 5 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 5 Narration Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5 Story Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5

    " Can't believe how much I loved this book! Not the a normal genre for me. Its again a Georgia Peach Nominee (that's why I read it). It's fantasy and full of action! Reminded me of the matrix. It would be a great movie with a strong screwed up female lead. "

    — Laura, 10/7/2013
  • Overall Performance: 1 out of 51 out of 51 out of 51 out of 51 out of 5 Narration Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5 Story Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5

    " This was a very wierd book. "

    — Ronald, 3/21/2013
  • Overall Performance: 4 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 5 Narration Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5 Story Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5

    " keep reading. You don't know who is on who's side. "

    — Andrea, 1/27/2013
  • Overall Performance: 4 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 5 Narration Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5 Story Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5

    " Wow, I really was drawn in by this book and enjoyed it quite a lot. "

    — Marty, 7/30/2012
  • Overall Performance: 2 out of 52 out of 52 out of 52 out of 52 out of 5 Narration Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5 Story Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5

    " Whelming in every way. Confusing and hard to care about. "

    — Step, 3/26/2012
  • Overall Performance: 4 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 5 Narration Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5 Story Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5

    " Read this several years ago. Really enjoyed it. It's a real thinker. "

    — Anthony, 12/3/2011
  • Overall Performance: 2 out of 52 out of 52 out of 52 out of 52 out of 5 Narration Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5 Story Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5

    " This is such a cool idea for a novel and I loved the beginning. But the second half was a mess. It got really ridiculous and the ending was a major cop-out. Too bad... "

    — Carinna, 10/17/2011
  • Overall Performance: 4 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 5 Narration Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5 Story Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5

    " An interesting book that questions the sanity of the protagonist. Is she legally certifiable or is she really a member of the secret society bent on killing "evil"? "

    — Atomicgirl, 7/7/2011
  • Overall Performance: 3 out of 53 out of 53 out of 53 out of 53 out of 5 Narration Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5 Story Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5

    " reading for NoveList recommended reads project "

    — Snow, 5/16/2011
  • Overall Performance: 5 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 5 Narration Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5 Story Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5

    " This plot will suck you in. A total page-turner. "

    — Mercedes, 5/15/2011
  • Overall Performance: 3 out of 53 out of 53 out of 53 out of 53 out of 5 Narration Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5 Story Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5

    " Unusual. It kept me reading, but was too unbelievable. I was hoping the ending would take it back to reality, but instead tried for a plot twist. It made the story even less real. "

    — Autumn, 5/3/2011
  • Overall Performance: 2 out of 52 out of 52 out of 52 out of 52 out of 5 Narration Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5 Story Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5

    " A bunch of silly nonsense. Entertaining ... but just overall ridiculous. "

    — Rosemary, 4/18/2011
  • Overall Performance: 3 out of 53 out of 53 out of 53 out of 53 out of 5 Narration Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5 Story Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5

    " a healthy three stars with a stellar cloud threatening a fourth. "

    — Jesse, 3/9/2011
  • Overall Performance: 4 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 5 Narration Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5 Story Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5

    " Excellent book, surprising, unexpected ending. "

    — Emma, 2/20/2011
  • Overall Performance: 5 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 5 Narration Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5 Story Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5

    " I am so glad I found this author. I loved this book! Plus the shape of it made me feel like I was reading a really long bar menu, which is never a bad thing. "

    — Angie, 2/16/2011
  • Overall Performance: 3 out of 53 out of 53 out of 53 out of 53 out of 5 Narration Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5 Story Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5

    " I really enjoyed this book, but the build-up was so much better for me than the ending. More of my wacky alternate-universe brain-candy nonsense, but really satisfying. But afetr reflection took a star off for the ending. "

    — Colleen, 1/20/2011
  • Overall Performance: 2 out of 52 out of 52 out of 52 out of 52 out of 5 Narration Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5 Story Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5

    " pedestrian. plus a bad audiobook. the narrator sounds like a suburban babysitter. "

    — Michael, 1/15/2011

About Matt Ruff

Matt Ruff is the author of The Mirage, Bad Monkeys, Set This House in Order, Fool on the Hill, and Sewer, Gas & Electric, among others. His Lovecraft Country was a finalist for the 2017 World Fantasy Award.

About the Narrators

Emily Woo Zeller is an artist, actor, dancer, choreographer, and voice artist who has won Earphones Awards and the prestigious Audie Award for Best Narration in 2018. She began her voice-over career by voicing animation in Asia. AudioFile magazine named her one of the Best Voices of 2013 for her work in Gulp. Other awards include the 2009 Tristen Award for Best Actress as Sally Bowles in Cabaret and the 2006 Roselyn E. Schneider Prize for Creative Achievement.

Greg Tremblay is a voice talent and Earphones Award–winning audiobook narrator.

January LaVoy, winner of numerous awards for narration, was named a Golden Voice by AudioFile magazine in 2019. She is an American actress best known for her character Noelle Ortiz on the ABC daytime drama One Life to Live. In addition to working extensively in narration and television, including roles on Law & Order and All My Children, she has worked on and off Broadway as well as in regional theater.