Monday, April 28, 2008

Review - Heart Shaped Box by Joe Hill

Title-Heart Shaped Box
Author- Joe Hill
ISBN - 978-0-06-114794-4
No of pages -366
Genre- Horror/Mystery/Suspense
Rating 4.5 out of 5

I usually do not read horror novels but this one peaked my interest because I continued to hear remarks about it on the various mystery lists I belong to. With a bit of trepidation I decided to give it a try. I was not disappointed. Joe Hill has written a good debut novel that held my interest and kept me wondering how it would end.

Judas Coyne, an aging death-metal rock star, collects the macabre. So when a ghost is advertised on the internet Coyne jumps at the chance to buy it. For a thousand dollars Coyne becomes the owner of a suit that is alleged to be haunted by a dead man's spirit. After UPS delivers the black heart shaped box Coyne soon discovers the previous owner of the suit in the bedroom, then sitting in his restored mustang dangling a gleaming razor on a chain from his hand.

I found myself drawn into the story and caring about the characters. Hill draws out empathy for Judas Coyne and as he copes with the ghosts of his own past and struggles to find the strength to battle a real evil. The blend of psychological terror and horror combined with new revelations and twists keeps the story moving with a sense of urgency that left me turning the pages well into the night to find out what would happen next.

1 comment:

samantha.1020 said...

I've been wanting to read this book but like you..I've been a bit leary. I'll have to get to it now!