false http://photo.goodreads.com/books/1172247614m/153025.jpg 153025 26 Do you sleep with the light on? Are you in the habit of checking your doors and windows before you go to bed? Maybe even checking <i>under</i> your bed? If you are about to crack open Joe Hill's chilling thriller <i>Heart-Shaped Box</i>, you might want to rethink your nighttime habits -- Hill's story about an aging rock star (with a penchant for macabre artifacts) who buys a haunted suit online will scare you silly. But don't take our word for it. We asked best-selling authors (and masters of dark terror tales themselves) Scott Smith, and Harlan Coben to read <i>Heart-Shaped Box</i> and give us their take. Check out their reviews below, and you might want to pick up a nightlight while you're at it. <i>--Daphne Durham</i><br> <hr size="1"><span class="h1"><strong>Guest Reviewer: Scott Smith</strong></span><br><br><img src="http://images.amazon.com/images/P/1400043875.01.TZZZZZZZ.jpg" border="0" align="left"><span class="small"><b>In 1993, Scott Smith wowed readers with his stunning debut thriller, <i>A Simple Plan</i>. Thirteen years later, he spooked us again with <i>The Ruins</i>, a horror-thriller about four Americans traveling in Mexico who stumble across a nightmare in the jungle.</b> </span><br><br> The set-up for Joe Hill's novel, <i>Heart-Shaped Box</i>, is appealingly simple. Jude Coyne, an aging rock star, buys himself a dead man's suit. He acquires it online, lured by the promise that the dead man's ghost will be included in his purchase. Jude thinks this is a joke, of course. He also assumes the seller is a stranger. We soon discover that he's wrong on both counts, however, and from this point on the story moves with an exhilarating urgency. Jude wants the ghost gone; the ghost wants Jude dead. We watch, chapter-by-chapter, as they battle for survival. "Watch" is the appropriate word, too, because this is an extremely visual book. Hill's prose is lean and precise, and he renders Jude's world with impressive confidence. It feels solid, every detail both correct and fresh. And this physicality provides a firm platform for the book's otherworldly happenings, which seem all the more frightening for being so securely grounded.<p> Hill has a flawless sense of pacing. His narrative never flags, nor does it ever move so quickly as to outrun itself. And one can sense his literary ambition pushing at the margins of the genre. There are times when his writing, for all its spare efficiency, seems to jump away from him, stopping one small step short of poetry. An e-mail to Jude from the ghost (trust me, it's not as absurd as it sounds) could even pass for something ee cummings might've written, in an especially morbid mood. And toward the end of the book, when Hill describes a trip down death's "night road" in a '65 Mustang, the passage has a startlingly lyrical beauty.<p> The story's horror ultimately has as much to do with Jude Coyne's past--his mistakes, abandonments and betrayals--as with anything supernatural. Jude has caused a lot of pain over the years, moving through life with a carelessness that verges on the callous. His battle with the ghost brings this behavior into sharp relief, forcing him to reflect upon his own capacity for cruelty. This dawning self-awareness leavens the book's bleakness and gore (and it is delightfully gory in places) with an unexpected sweetness. Despite our initial impression, Jude is gradually revealed--both to himself and the reader--as an essentially decent, even kind man. It's this kindness, this fledgling ability to love and be loved, that will ultimately be of crucial consequence in his death struggle with the ghost. And it's what makes Hill's debut not only well-written and terrifying, but also--as it draws to its close--surprisingly moving. So go ahead, take a chance, and open his <i>Heart-Shaped Box</i>. I think you'll be happy you did. <i>--Scott Smith</i><br><br> <br> <hr size="1"><span class="h1"><strong>Guest Reviewer: Harlan Coben</strong></span><br><br><img src="http://images.amazon.com/images/P/0525950125.01.TZZZZZZZ.jpg" border="0" align="left"><span class="small"><b>Harlan Coben is the author of the beloved Myron Bolitar</i> series about a wisecracking sports agent, as well as stunning stand-alone novels like <i>The Innocent</i> and his breakout thriller <i>Tell No One</i>. His new novel <i>The Woods</i> releases on April 17, 2007.</b> </span><br><br> You, dear reader, are obviously somewhat versed in making online purchases, so today, immediately after you click on the yellow "Add to Shopping Cart" on the top right hand corner of this page, why not do an online search and buy something totally unique?<p> Like, say, a vengeful ghost.<p> That is what rock-star Judas Coyne does, thinking it will be a laugh, fun for his "sick-o" collection of such things. It seems a random buy, but Judas soon learns that it is anything but. This particular ghost is one Craddock McDermott, step-father to recent suicide victim and boy, is he cranky. He demands revenge for his step-daughter's death, which he blames on Judas's shabby treatment of her.<p> Or is he after something else?<p> There are Amazon readers who will give you a better plot summary. Don't read them too closely because Joe Hill provides plenty of fun surprises. <i>Heart-Shaped Box</i> is a true spine-tingler. I don't use that hyphenated word much anymore. We have seen and read it all, haven't we? But right away, in the first chapter, there was a subtle line that made the hairs on the back of my neck go up in a way I haven't experienced since I first discovered great horror as a teenager.<p> Hill writes with a sure hand. The prose is compelling. Like most memorable tales of horror, this book is more about redemption than scary moments--though <i>Heart-Shaped Box</i> has plenty of scares. They are visceral, shocking and very well done. The characters are flawed and real. The father-son relationship adds texture and surprising poignancy.<p> So here's the thing. My guess is, you won't find a ghost to buy online, but if you read the <i>Heart-Shaped Box</i>, you will be getting something that will haunt you and startle you and stay with you and yes, visit you in your dreams.<p> Sleep well, dear reader. <i>--Harlan Coben</i><br><br> <br> 1412280 book 1 2 2007 Heart-Shaped Box: A Novel total:3729|5:804|4:1430|3:1047|2:352|1:96| 3729 13681 5224 962 153025 0061147931 9780061147937 3350 843 3.67 http://photo.goodreads.com/books/1172247614m/153025.jpg http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/153025.Heart_Shaped_Box_A_Novel 1 7 false Thu Jul 03 00:00:00 -0700 2008 Mon Jun 30 07:50:30 -0700 2008 Thu Sep 11 07:34:34 -0700 2008
Funny, as I read this "scary" novel, I couldn't help but think back to the time I read The Shining ... it was stormin...more...]]> 1316796 006114794X 9780061147944 207 64 3.67 http://photo.goodreads.com/books/1255614875m/1316796.jpg http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/1316796.Heart_Shaped_Box 3 5 true Fri Oct 17 00:00:00 -0700 2008 Mon Oct 13 15:53:44 -0700 2008 Sat Oct 18 10:22:07 -0700 2008 1
Jude is a fifty-four year old mostly re...more...]]> 153025 0061147931 9780061147937 3350 843 3.67 http://photo.goodreads.com/books/1172247614m/153025.jpg http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/153025.Heart_Shaped_Box_A_Novel 3 4 false Thu May 01 00:00:00 -0700 2008 Thu May 08 11:55:41 -0700 2008 Thu May 08 11:55:58 -0700 2008
Regular readers know that one of the subjects I'm often talking about here at CCLaP is tha...more...]]> 153025 0061147931 9780061147937 3350 843 3.67 http://photo.goodreads.com/books/1172247614m/153025.jpg http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/153025.Heart_Shaped_Box_A_Novel 4 6 false Tue May 01 00:00:00 -0700 2007 Tue May 29 14:23:27 -0700 2007 Tue Jun 12 13:08:05 -0700 2007 Goosebumps and Scary Stories by Alvan Sc...more...]]> 153025 0061147931 9780061147937 3350 843 3.67 http://photo.goodreads.com/books/1172247614m/153025.jpg http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/153025.Heart_Shaped_Box_A_Novel 2 2 false Sun Apr 01 00:00:00 -0700 2007 Mon Mar 24 12:56:29 -0700 2008 Wed Mar 26 14:03:38 -0700 2008
The basic premises is that this semi-ex rock stars likes to collect morbid and weird things. So when he's alerted to a ghost for sale on an ebay ripoff site, Jude snatches up the deal for $1000 no quest...more...]]> 153025 0061147931 9780061147937 3350 843 3.67 http://photo.goodreads.com/books/1172247614m/153025.jpg http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/153025.Heart_Shaped_Box_A_Novel 2 2 false Sat May 03 00:00:00 -0700 2008 Sat Feb 16 17:25:02 -0800 2008 Sat May 03 07:55:35 -0700 2008 more...]]> 153025 0061147931 9780061147937 3350 843 3.67 http://photo.goodreads.com/books/1172247614m/153025.jpg http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/153025.Heart_Shaped_Box_A_Novel 4 3 false Wed Jan 30 00:00:00 -0800 2008 Fri Jan 25 12:54:11 -0800 2008 Fri Feb 01 12:50:26 -0800 2008
There are times when you want a book that will challenge you, something immensely difficult but rewarding, something that will make you see the world in a slightly new way when you're finished with it. And then there are times when you just want s...more...]]> 153025 0061147931 9780061147937 3350 843 3.67 http://photo.goodreads.com/books/1172247614m/153025.jpg http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/153025.Heart_Shaped_Box_A_Novel 3 3 false Wed Aug 01 00:00:00 -0700 2007 Tue Aug 21 20:33:27 -0700 2007 Sun Aug 26 21:47:30 -0700 2007 more...]]> 1316796 006114794X 9780061147944 207 64 3.67 http://photo.goodreads.com/books/1255614875m/1316796.jpg http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/1316796.Heart_Shaped_Box 4 1 true Wed Nov 26 00:00:00 -0800 2008 Thu Oct 30 09:21:56 -0700 2008 Wed Nov 26 12:50:21 -0800 2008 1
This novel has been received very differently, by readers and reviewers alike. Some praise it very highly, some find it a bore. I guess that's inevitable. In my opinion it's basically...more...]]> 153025 0061147931 9780061147937 3350 843 3.67 http://photo.goodreads.com/books/1172247614m/153025.jpg http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/153025.Heart_Shaped_Box_A_Novel 3 2 false Mon May 12 00:00:00 -0700 2008 Fri Dec 21 18:50:11 -0800 2007 Mon May 12 20:12:29 -0700 2008 Heart-Shaped Box a good, solid 3 stars. It's nothing I would reread, but I enjoyed the time I spent with it. It moved along quickly and had some seriously creepy imagery that I'd love to see onscreen in the future.]]> 1316796 006114794X 9780061147944 207 64 3.67 http://photo.goodreads.com/books/1255614875m/1316796.jpg http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/1316796.Heart_Shaped_Box 4 1 false Wed Jan 21 00:00:00 -0800 2009 Sat Oct 04 11:40:40 -0700 2008 Wed Jan 21 23:07:36 -0800 2009
I've always loved Stephen King. I wasn't sure that I would love his son, so I put off...more...]]> 1316796 006114794X 9780061147944 207 64 3.67 http://photo.goodreads.com/books/1255614875m/1316796.jpg http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/1316796.Heart_Shaped_Box 4 2 false Thu Sep 04 00:00:00 -0700 2008 Sun Aug 10 08:48:12 -0700 2008 Fri Sep 05 16:41:35 -0700 2008 more...]]> 153025 0061147931 9780061147937 3350 843 3.67 http://photo.goodreads.com/books/1172247614m/153025.jpg http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/153025.Heart_Shaped_Box_A_Novel 3 2 false Sun Jun 01 00:00:00 -0700 2008 Sat May 31 14:47:51 -0700 2008 Sun Jul 27 07:13:46 -0700 2008 more...]]> 153025 0061147931 9780061147937 3350 843 3.67 http://photo.goodreads.com/books/1172247614m/153025.jpg http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/153025.Heart_Shaped_Box_A_Novel 2 1 false Tue Jan 01 00:00:00 -0800 2008 Fri Jan 18 12:53:41 -0800 2008 Mon Jan 21 11:06:48 -0800 2008 more...]]> 153025 0061147931 9780061147937 3350 843 3.67 http://photo.goodreads.com/books/1172247614m/153025.jpg http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/153025.Heart_Shaped_Box_A_Novel 4 1 false Thu Mar 01 00:00:00 -0800 2007 Fri Nov 02 10:55:00 -0700 2007 Thu Mar 06 23:09:24 -0800 2008 more...]]> 153025 0061147931 9780061147937 3350 843 3.67 http://photo.goodreads.com/books/1172247614m/153025.jpg http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/153025.Heart_Shaped_Box_A_Novel 4 1 false Sat Sep 01 00:00:00 -0700 2007 Sun Sep 30 08:02:55 -0700 2007 Sun Sep 30 08:03:45 -0700 2007 more...]]> 153025 0061147931 9780061147937 3350 843 3.67 http://photo.goodreads.com/books/1172247614m/153025.jpg http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/153025.Heart_Shaped_Box_A_Novel 3 1 false Sun Apr 01 00:00:00 -0700 2007 Thu Aug 16 07:24:42 -0700 2007 Wed Sep 19 14:24:43 -0700 2007 more...]]> 153025 0061147931 9780061147937 3350 843 3.67 http://photo.goodreads.com/books/1172247614m/153025.jpg http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/153025.Heart_Shaped_Box_A_Novel 3 1 false Wed Aug 01 00:00:00 -0700 2007 Wed Aug 15 04:02:46 -0700 2007 Mon Aug 20 19:14:07 -0700 2007 more...]]> 153025 0061147931 9780061147937 3350 843 3.67 http://photo.goodreads.com/books/1172247614m/153025.jpg http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/153025.Heart_Shaped_Box_A_Novel 4 1 false Fri Jun 01 00:00:00 -0700 2007 Thu Jul 26 09:30:04 -0700 2007 Thu Jul 26 09:31:20 -0700 2007 more...]]> 153025 0061147931 9780061147937 3350 843 3.67 http://photo.goodreads.com/books/1172247614m/153025.jpg http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/153025.Heart_Shaped_Box_A_Novel 4 1 false Sun Jul 01 00:00:00 -0700 2007 Mon Jun 25 18:30:48 -0700 2007 Sat Jul 14 10:04:33 -0700 2007 more...]]> http://www.goodreads.com/book_link/follow/8?book_id=153025