- Publisher: Harper Collins Publishers
- Pub. Date: February, 2007
- Available in Hardcover, Paperback, Large Print, and Audio Book
- 384 pp.
- Excerpt from Harper Collings: Excerpt from Heart-Shaped Box A Novel by Joe Hill
- Author's Site: Joe Hill Fiction
From the Publisher:
Judas Coyne is a collector of the macabre: a cookbook for cannibals . . . a used hangman's noose . . . a snuff film. An aging death-metal rock god, his taste for the unnatural is as widely known to his legions of fans as the notorious excesses of his youth. But nothing he possesses is as unlikely or as dreadful as his latest discovery, an item for sale on the Internet, a thing so terribly strange, Jude can't help but reach for his wallet.
I will "sell" my stepfather's ghost to the highest bidder. . . .
For a thousand dollars, Jude will become the proud owner of a dead man's suit, said to be haunted by a restless spirit. He isn't afraid. He has spent a lifetime coping with ghosts—of an abusive father, of the lovers he callously abandoned, of the bandmates he betrayed. What's one more?
But what UPS delivers to his door in a black heart-shaped box is no imaginary or metaphorical ghost, no benign conversation piece. It's the real thing.
And suddenly the suit's previous owner is everywhere: behind the bedroom door . . . seated in Jude's restored vintage Mustang . . . standing outside his window . . . staring out from his widescreen TV. Waiting—with a gleaming razor blade on a chain dangling from one bony hand...
A multiple-award winner for his short fiction, author Joe Hill immediately vaults into the top echelon of dark fantasists with a blood-chilling roller-coaster ride of a novel, a masterwork brimming with relentless thrills and acid terror.
THIS IS AN AMAZING HORROR BOOK - FULL OF THRILLS & CHILLS! I LOVED IT!
This book is a FIVE CROWN READ - Which means that "THIS BOOK LIVES HAPPILY EVER AFTER ON MY BOOKSHELF!!"
Thoughts and My Review:
Joe Hill is absolutely NOT afraid to step outside of the Box, even if that box IS heart-shaped. This is an amazing book that I couldn't seem to put down. I love horror, thrillers, mysteries and anything that will make me wonder about that noise that goes "bump" in the night. I've been that way all my life.
This book doesn't disappoint. It's a page turner in every sense of the word! Something I wish for in all books that catch my eye or take my breath. With a unique story-line and writing all his own, Hill makes for one terrific terrifying tale.
Jude Coyne is an aging rocker. He's had his fun. His "flavors of the week" whom he lovingly refers to by the State that they are from. Currently he lives at home with Georgia and his two loving dogs. Hill makes characters that you immediately feel for, love and hate, cheer for and wish the worst upon. The story is never flat and never filled with things we just do not need to know. Jude is crude, mean and even a little on the rude side, after all, he's a spoiled rock star with fans that just can't seem to get enough of him. (It reminds me a lot of the late 80's and early 90's...which were always great times for me!)
When Jude Coyne wins an on-line auction (sort of an Ebay buy-it-now kind of thing) for a suit that has a ghost attached, he gets more than he bargains for! Jude thinks he's adding to his morbid collection given to him mostly by his loyal fans, pieces of the macbre that he owns and is quite proud of collecting. But how did his loyal assistant find this auction? Who was selling and why? Better yet, why would a suit arrive in a black heart-shaped box? Jude's past is about to catch up with him via UPS.
It's all there...all packed in one unique, unusual, story that will keep you guessing until the very end. A great read!
Pick it up, you'll be glad you did!
A little bit about the author: Joe Hill
Joe Hill is the author of the critically acclaimed New York Times bestseller Heart-Shaped Box, a two-time winner of the Bram Stoker Award, and a past recipient of the World Fantasy Award. His stories have appeared in a variety of journals and Year's Best collections. He calls New England home.
That's ALL for now...
XXX - Kisses
THE PRINCESS
***NOTICE: I will be doing give-a-ways of certain books. They will not be my copy nor will I be able to do it if the book is in ebook form, such as this. SO, this book is NOT part of the give-a-way. Books to be given away will be noted in the review or at the bottom...like SO : )
Sounds like I must read this book then :)
ReplyDeleteThis sounds great! I really have to check out this book.
ReplyDeleteI'm glad you enjoyed this one so much! It's such a good book :)
ReplyDeleteThis really was a great book. I totally LOVED it PLUS I think Joe Hill is kind of a hottie...lol
ReplyDeleteThanks for stopping by.
Bunny - you will love it.
Breeni - Add it to your must read list, I promise you won't be disappointed. Did you get lilith yet? Please let me know. I ordered it on sunday and it said allow two days with an o/n delivery. So no later than the 10th.
Hi Nymeth It is such a great book, isn't it? I'm so glad I'm not the only one. It did with the Bram Stroker Award last year!
Hugs
Amy
I loved this book too. Hope to read Twentieth Century Ghosts by Joe Hill soon.
ReplyDeleteP.S Elizabeth Hoyt will be stopping by this Friday at my blog and she is giving away a book.
ReplyDeleteThanks Cheryl! I'll be sure to stop by. Sounds fun!
ReplyDeleteHugs
Amy
I totally agree with the 5 Crown rating. I look forward to his next book.
ReplyDeleteHi to you as well. I'm glad you came by. Adding links is not that difficult. First, hit 'Customize' at the top right of your blog. It will open up to a page where you can see on the right hand side an option to "Add a Page Element".
ReplyDeleteClick that and choose 'link list' from the box that pops up.
Give you list a title. Something like "Blog Links" or "Places I like to visit" or whatever. Hit "Save Changes".
Now you have a place to add links.
You should see on that same page where you chose "Add a Page Element" the box with the name of the list you just created. In that box choose "Edit" and simply add the names and web addresses of any blogs you want to show in your links list.
Hit 'save changes' and they'll be added. Then anytime you want to add a new link just go into 'Customize' again and hit 'edit' in the box of your links list and add away.
If you have any questions feel free to email me at cvincent68@comcast (dot) com.
I am so glad you enjoyed this one, Amy. I have a copy in my TBR collection but have yet to read it.
ReplyDeleteGreat review! I think I'll add this book to Carl V's (Stainless Steel Droppings) RIP challenge later this year!
ReplyDeleteHi J.Kaye! - It was SO great wasn't it?
ReplyDeleteCarl v!! You came by!! How nice of you : ) And THANK YOU for the instructions! With your help, I was able to actually do it! You're so sweet! I'll be by SSD later on...although, I have to say, I usually walk away from those situations. I hate feeling guilt and I know it's the easy way out. I just don't like that feeling of being attacked! (To answer in short today's question)
*Hugs* for stopping by!
HI Wendy! Yes, I loved it and so will you : )
Written word, I was just by your blog the other day and didn't get a chance to comment, but I did put you on my blog roll to make it much easier to get there : ) Thank you for stopping by and you'll LOVE the book! (BTW, I'm coming back by TWR JUST to find out your name!) : )
xxx - the princess - xxx