Hoping to escape from her abusive ex-husband, a woman and her lover successfully carry out their plot to murder him, only to find themselves at...
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Jul 12, 2011
DJMikeG
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Jack Ketchum delivers an incredible, emotionally devastating novel yet again. Ketchum is a horror writer by title, but his writing is so artful, and rings so true emotionally that I would just call him an amazing novelist period. He goes so deep into the reasons people do what they do, that is the reason so much of his writing is so disturbing. The characters could so easily be real people. The kind of horror Ketchum delivers is based more on the terrible undercurrents in our society, not on
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Nov 10, 2010
Suzie
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"Joyride" was a wild, well told journey of a couple who is kidnapped after being viewed killing a man by a crazed psychotic who wants to kill but has yet to get the courage up to do so. He believes these two are kindred spirits and his friends. After all, they did kill a man. But for what reasons? And are the pyschotic's reasons for killing any worse. Well, yes they are. As is usual with Ketchum's stories the characters pop right off the page. He (Ketchum) delves inside of them exposin
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Oct 20, 2010
David
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Joyride by Jack Ketchum
Leisure
304 pages (including a bonus novella Weed Species)
Re-issue of 1995 novel (AKA Roadkill)
I really enjoyed Ketchum's novel Red, and let me just say that his novel “the Girl Next Door” is one of the most brutal and intense horror novels I ever read. I was excited to crack open this book, but in the end I was disappointed. Joyride is the story of Carole and her lover Lee. Carole's powerful ex-husband wouldn't leave her alone, and no matter how he More...
Leisure
304 pages (including a bonus novella Weed Species)
Re-issue of 1995 novel (AKA Roadkill)
I really enjoyed Ketchum's novel Red, and let me just say that his novel “the Girl Next Door” is one of the most brutal and intense horror novels I ever read. I was excited to crack open this book, but in the end I was disappointed. Joyride is the story of Carole and her lover Lee. Carole's powerful ex-husband wouldn't leave her alone, and no matter how he More...
Aug 02, 2010
I really enjoyed Ketchum's novel Red, and his novel The Girl Next Door is one of the most brutal and intense horror novels I have ever read. I was excited to crack open this book, but in the end I was disappointed.
Joyride is the story of Carole and her lover Lee. No matter how Carole's powerful ex-husband harasses her, or in some cases violently attacked and raped her, he gets away with it every time. Lee and Carole make the decision to pull off the perfect murder. Unfortunately, a bartende More...
Joyride is the story of Carole and her lover Lee. No matter how Carole's powerful ex-husband harasses her, or in some cases violently attacked and raped her, he gets away with it every time. Lee and Carole make the decision to pull off the perfect murder. Unfortunately, a bartende More...
Aug 06, 2011
Becky
rated it: 
Like Stephen King, Ketchum is excellent with characterization. Teh people in his stories become easily real. The plots themselves are terrifying. What I find lacking again though is more- I feel like his stories just rush on by and are quickly over before you get to savor them. In joyride, a necessarily murder is witnessed by a crazed main who is obsessed with the pleasure of the kill. This man, who had some kind of horrific childhood with a crazed mother (this is one part that definitely cou
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Feb 02, 2011
Genevieve
rated it:
While his books are definitely not for everyone (especially the squeamish), I sometimes find myself in the mood for a little Ketchum (I usually have to take a 2 year break in between books).
My favorite of his books will always be "Girl Next Door". The story was heartbreaking and so difficult to read, but it's stayed with me to this day.
I downloaded Joyride on my Kindle and read it in about two days. It's a fast-paced ride about a woman who, along with th More...
May 10, 2011
Laura
rated it:
This was not the usual Ketchum novel. The book is about Lee and Carole, who kill Carole's abusive ex-husband. The murder is witnessed by Wayne Lock, who thinks these two are sadistic killers who can relate to him. So he kidnaps them and goes on a killing spree. Sounds more like a crime novel than a horror novel, and read kind of like a police procedural.
Though the book is well-written with a good climax, the characters were very under-developed. The reason behind a serial killer's a More...
Though the book is well-written with a good climax, the characters were very under-developed. The reason behind a serial killer's a More...
Aug 09, 2010
Scott
rated it: 
ack Ketchum has a rabid fan base and a pretty damned good pedigree. After all, we are talking about the guy Stephen King called the "scariest man in America." With his new book, Joyride, the story isn't so much "scary" as it is "batshit crazy," and Ketchum makes it work. Horrifying? Certainly.
Joyride is the story of Carole and Lee who decide to murder Carole's abusive husband, Howard. After careful planning and a trip out to an isolated hiking area, they More...
Joyride is the story of Carole and Lee who decide to murder Carole's abusive husband, Howard. After careful planning and a trip out to an isolated hiking area, they More...
Sep 01, 2011
Zombette
rated it:
Not my favorite by Ketchum, I actually enjoyed Weed Species more. Oh well, it was still readable.
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Sep 13, 2009
Susan
rated it:
As usual, Jack Ketchum delivers. All of his books leave one feeling like you just got off a roller coaster ride through hell. Fast, furious and way too believable to allow you to draw any comfort from the idea that this is just a work of fiction.
Despite of all that, this book does not have the "squirm factor" that some of his other books have had. What I mean by that is that I was never torn between putting the book down because I couldn't take what was happening any longe More...
Despite of all that, this book does not have the "squirm factor" that some of his other books have had. What I mean by that is that I was never torn between putting the book down because I couldn't take what was happening any longe More...
Feb 05, 2009
Chris
rated it:
Like most Ketchum novels, this story unfolds around a simple plot: A man with a murderous heart has been keeping a list of names for a future retaliation. One day, he witnesses two stranger murder someone and try to cover it up. Inspired by the kill, he takes his list of names, along with a few weapons, and takes the two strangers captive for his joyride. He feels a strong connection with the two since they have actually done something he has only dreamed of. Now, they will be there for his brut
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Oct 01, 2011
Dominick
rated it:
This is a pretty good kill book. The plot depends on one whopping great coincidence--a desperate couple who murder her abusive ex just happen to have that crime witnessed by a budding sociopath who takes what he sees as the final push he needs to become a full-fledged murderer himself and kidnaps the couple to participate in his spree--but other than that, it unfolds with a cold and horrific logic and generally good characterization. Filled out by a novella, "Weed Species," which borro
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Sep 05, 2011
Kasia
rated it:
Ketchum is quite satisfying when I reach for his stories; the horror and gore are based on things that with some stretch of really bad luck could really happen to someone which he balances on that too close to comfort crossing line perfectly. Joyride has a few murderers in it and some you hate and despise and the others you root for, crazy yes, you do want some of the characters to be okay, the story is twisted and even though it’s a good read it’s not his most visceral. This goes easy on the u
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Jan 01, 2012
Melissa
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Jack Ketchum frequently uses true crime stories as inspiration for his novels. Off Season is based on the legend of the Sawney Bean family, The Girl Next Door tells the horrors that befell Sylvia Likens and this novel, Joyride, is derived from Howard Unruh's killing spree. In Ketchum's afterward, he reveals that he found his story (and the story of Sylvia Likens) in Bloodletters and Badmen by Jay Robert Nash.
Usually Ketchum's combination of real-life terror and an interesting "w More...
Usually Ketchum's combination of real-life terror and an interesting "w More...
Dec 10, 2010
Daniel
rated it:
I’m going to be honest in the reasoning in my reasons for buying Jack Ketchum’s Joyride. My cheapness in pages per dollar came into my decision not to buy the very short novella, Weed Species. Looking at the cover and seeing these epically evil plants (and I love my plant based horror, apart from the horrendously frustrating Garden of Evil by Edmund Le Plante – which I hope is a pseudonym!) it was hard to resist.
But along comes Leisure who have released an impressive catalogue of Ketchum’s More...
But along comes Leisure who have released an impressive catalogue of Ketchum’s More...
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May 07, 2008
Josh
rated it:
Definitely shines--since it is a Ketchum book--and contains a great deal of violence that is never cast in a leering, sexualized or remotely exploitative light. Interesting characters and interesting situations, plus lots of Ketchum's signature Rising To The Occasion--characters thrust into horrible situations and then attempting, however they can, to try to hurdle the obstacles set in their path.
However, it's not one of his strongest works. Passages are a bit clunky, lacking the s More...
However, it's not one of his strongest works. Passages are a bit clunky, lacking the s More...
Jul 26, 2011
Andy
rated it:
Reading Jack Ketchum is not for everyone. His books are hard to put down once you stop, kind of like reading depressing news stories about Columbine or about that wacko who killed all those people in Norway. Every Jack Ketchum book I read reminds of this one episode of the old TV show 6 feet under - the one where David picks up a hitchiker and then suddenly finds himself in a terrible, violent situation. Except in a Ketchum book I don't think David would have fared so well.
Apr 20, 2011
Reese
rated it:
The book started out terribly slow. Not quite to the point I'd just put it down, but, I didn't read it as fast as I normally would have either. Until about 40 pages or so into it. Then, it picked up pretty good and I read through it quickly. The short story "Weed Species" after Joyride was pretty disturbing. Didn't see much of a point to that story, and I can't really say it was entertaining given the subject matter, but, it read quick. Overall, would recommend Joyride.
Jul 06, 2010
Scott
rated it:
JOYRIDE (aka ROADKILL) is not Ketchum's best work, but it's still a solid, entertaining read that rockets along at a fast clip. It's definitely worth a look, but the highlight of this volume is the inclusion of "Weed Species," a bonus novella that's as disturbing, cold, and ultimately insightful as THE GIRL NEXT DOOR or "Right to Life." It's worth the cover price alone.
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Dec 04, 2010
Konnie
rated it:
Joyride and Weed Species are great together! I already had Joyride, but bought the paperback from Mr. Ketchum himself! I had to read Weed Species, as I am familiar with the Karla Homolka case. This is a very short story, but very disturbing. And yes, I loved it!
Sep 23, 2010
John
rated it:
Jack Ketchum usually writes horror stories, but this novel, like his novel Red, is a thriller. A man goes on a killing spree while holding a couple hostage. The story is simple and brutally violent. Ketchum has a compelling writing style though.
Sep 19, 2011
Debbie
rated it:
Very fast paced story. I didn't think it scared me but that night dogs started barking outside my house and I found myself quickly locking my doors!
Jul 14, 2010
Bracken
rated it:
I thought Joyride was one of the rougher works I'd read by Jack Ketchum until I got to the Weed Species short story. That actually made me pause for a moment to compose myself. Definitely NOT for the feint of heart.
Jan 31, 2012
Amanda
rated it:
Another gem by Ketchum. I only wish it was longer. I feel like the ending was cut short a little, I would have like to know more about what happened to each of the characters.
Aug 27, 2011
Stephen King recommended author and book. He says: "Who's the scariest guy in America? Probably Jack Ketchum."
and
"He is, quite simply, one of the best in the business, on par with Clive Barker, James Ellroy, and Thomas Harris."
and
“Ketchum has become a kind of hero to those of us who write tales of horror and suspense. He is, quite simply, one of the best in the business.”
and
"Don't open this book unless you intend to finish it in the s
and
"He is, quite simply, one of the best in the business, on par with Clive Barker, James Ellroy, and Thomas Harris."
and
“Ketchum has become a kind of hero to those of us who write tales of horror and suspense. He is, quite simply, one of the best in the business.”
and
"Don't open this book unless you intend to finish it in the s
Sep 28, 2010
Boondock
rated it:
This was my first Jack Ketchum book. Gritty crime, almost in the realm of horror. I really liked the Detective Rule character. This book included a bonus novella called "Weed Species" which is based on notorious husband-and-wife team Paul Bernardo and Karla Homolka, who sexually abused and killed three girls. Will definitely read more Jack Ketchum.
Mar 15, 2009
Lindsay
rated it: 
A good premise, but sloppily executed. A man who has always harbored dark, murderous fantasies sees two people kill someone. He decides that he simply must get to know these people, that they must all go on a murder spree together. The people, of course, are terrified.
Good premise, sloppy execution.
Good premise, sloppy execution.
Oct 29, 2009
Löm
rated it:
Kommt nicht wirklich in Fahrt, zu platte Charaktere. Ich kam öfter durcheinander und es tat der Story keinen Abbruch...Das grausame und wirklich kaum zu ertragende Ende rettet das Buch allerdings. Jetzt weiß ich, was "wie Stephen King, nur mit mehr Gewalt" bedeutet.
