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Truck Stop
On a lonely stretch of highway in the Utah mountains, Cedar Mountain Truck Stop awaits the unsuspecting traveler. Over the years, it has been the setting of unspeakable acts of horror that have gone undiscovered. It is the hunting ground for a serial killer who disposes the bodies in the junkyard behind the rambling, rundown complex. But the long dead victims are not going quietly-- Their spirits haunt the dingy hallways, sleeping rooms, gift shop and repair garage, seeking out someone who can solve their horrific deaths. Seeking someone who is a sensitive that can hear their cries for vengeance…
That someone turns out to be Roger Dalton, a young rock guitarist, traveling with his seven year old daughter, who stops one rainy night at the haunted compound. What begins as a routine stop on his trip to Salt Lake City turns into a horrific nightmare when his daughter suddenly goes missing.
As Roger and the handful of truck stop employees desperately search for his daughter, Roger is haunted by the long-dead mutilated victims, all trying to warn him of the serial killer who is in their midst. The tension ratchets higher when deteriorating weather isolates the truck stop and Roger makes a grisly discovery that causes the serial killer to go on a final, desperate killing spree.
In the end it all comes down to Roger, racing to find out where the serial killer has taken his daughter before the killer can get to him.
That someone turns out to be Roger Dalton, a young rock guitarist, traveling with his seven year old daughter, who stops one rainy night at the haunted compound. What begins as a routine stop on his trip to Salt Lake City turns into a horrific nightmare when his daughter suddenly goes missing.
As Roger and the handful of truck stop employees desperately search for his daughter, Roger is haunted by the long-dead mutilated victims, all trying to warn him of the serial killer who is in their midst. The tension ratchets higher when deteriorating weather isolates the truck stop and Roger makes a grisly discovery that causes the serial killer to go on a final, desperate killing spree.
In the end it all comes down to Roger, racing to find out where the serial killer has taken his daughter before the killer can get to him.
- GenresHorrorParanormal
138 pages, Kindle Edition
First published December 19, 2011
10 people are currently reading
170 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 27 of 27 reviews
December 16, 2022
Roger Dalton, a rock musician, is having a rest at the Cedar Mountain truck stop. When he comes back to his car his daughter is missing. Where is she gone and who has taken her? What about the other missing persons described in fading ads at the truck stop? Who is the mysterious serial killer haunting that place? Intriguing, fast paced story with many horror horror elements and good characters. You don't want to strand at that location. Every trucker could be the suspect. One of the old trucks described reminded me on Spielberg's The Duel. Highly recommended truck stop horror I really enjoyed.
October 10, 2025
Find Us...
TRUCK STOP
by John Penny...
4 stars. It was a transient world on the interstate highways. People came, people went...
Cedar Mountain Truck Stop was only a shell of what it had been thirty years ago...
The main building has gas pumps out front. There is a twenty-four hour diner with a gift shop which sold mainly Tylenol and condoms...
A long corridor led to sleeper rooms, showers, and restrooms for truckers...
Another building held a truck wash and a repair bay. There was a fenced-in junk yard...
It was a place where people went missing. It was the perfect place for a predator to hunt his prey...
Roger Dalton, a has-been musician, has a gift. He sees spirits of the dead...
He and his seven year old daughter Lilly were on their way to his last gig from Las Vegas to Salt Lake City in pouring rain...
When...
They stopped for a restroom break at the Cedar Mountain Truck Stop complex...
Roger left the sleeping Lilly on the back seat of his locked car while he entered the diner. When he returned, she was gone...
A policeman was called...
He found that there were some suspicious people at the stop waiting out a snowstorm, which was due to close down the interstate..
Among the stranded...
A middle-aged woman who was sexually abusing her fifteen year old son, a trucker with a load of rancid spoiled deli meat...
Also...
An unattended truck giving off evil vibes to the special-gifted Roger and a crazy old woman truck driver who collected childrens clothing...
The expected snowstorm came...
The interstate closed down...
But Cedar Mountain Truck Stop was never silent. It was always restless with spirits of the dead calling:
Find us
And the only refuge for the living was in the diner...
Wow! This story had me riveted to the very end. It is part noir crime whodunit and part supernatural ghost story. It was definitely the best truck stop story I've ever read.
Recommended!
TRUCK STOP
by John Penny...
4 stars. It was a transient world on the interstate highways. People came, people went...
Cedar Mountain Truck Stop was only a shell of what it had been thirty years ago...
The main building has gas pumps out front. There is a twenty-four hour diner with a gift shop which sold mainly Tylenol and condoms...
A long corridor led to sleeper rooms, showers, and restrooms for truckers...
Another building held a truck wash and a repair bay. There was a fenced-in junk yard...
It was a place where people went missing. It was the perfect place for a predator to hunt his prey...
Roger Dalton, a has-been musician, has a gift. He sees spirits of the dead...
He and his seven year old daughter Lilly were on their way to his last gig from Las Vegas to Salt Lake City in pouring rain...
When...
They stopped for a restroom break at the Cedar Mountain Truck Stop complex...
Roger left the sleeping Lilly on the back seat of his locked car while he entered the diner. When he returned, she was gone...
A policeman was called...
He found that there were some suspicious people at the stop waiting out a snowstorm, which was due to close down the interstate..
Among the stranded...
A middle-aged woman who was sexually abusing her fifteen year old son, a trucker with a load of rancid spoiled deli meat...
Also...
An unattended truck giving off evil vibes to the special-gifted Roger and a crazy old woman truck driver who collected childrens clothing...
The expected snowstorm came...
The interstate closed down...
But Cedar Mountain Truck Stop was never silent. It was always restless with spirits of the dead calling:
Find us
And the only refuge for the living was in the diner...
Wow! This story had me riveted to the very end. It is part noir crime whodunit and part supernatural ghost story. It was definitely the best truck stop story I've ever read.
Recommended!
October 12, 2025
I thoroughly enjoyed this brilliantly written horror story, and even though I figured things out early on, it did not detract in any way from my experience.
Truck Stop is suspenseful, addictive, and I absolutely loved the setting.
Highly recommended.
Truck Stop is suspenseful, addictive, and I absolutely loved the setting.
Highly recommended.
April 24, 2014
Roger, a guitarist, hasn't been the best father to his little girl, Lilly, but he plans to change all that. After this last gig out of town, he plans to settle down and play at a local bar so he'll only be gone from her a short time each night.
Roger is a day late when he finally arrives to pick up Lilly from her drug-using mother. He finds his daughter standing outside, waiting alone with her back pack and stuffed rabbit.
After putting some miles on the highway, Roger decides to stop and grab something at a truck stop while his daughter sleeps in the back seat.
From here, things get real.
I found the beginning of this read to be a little slow even though I knew it was building to some big climatic scene that never seemed to come.
Roger's first mistake didn't have him winning any father of the year awards and I couldn't get past what started this whole fiasco in the first place. It was like he knew it was wrong, but did it anyway.
The secondary character did nothing for the story and were used as props for when the finger-pointing started.
This book was a firm 2 star "okay" read until the ending came and I couldn't help but bump it up. It worked for me.
I would like to try something else by this author to see if his writing has improved or if it varies.
A good read that could have been better.
Visit www.HorrorAfterDark.com
Roger is a day late when he finally arrives to pick up Lilly from her drug-using mother. He finds his daughter standing outside, waiting alone with her back pack and stuffed rabbit.
After putting some miles on the highway, Roger decides to stop and grab something at a truck stop while his daughter sleeps in the back seat.
From here, things get real.
I found the beginning of this read to be a little slow even though I knew it was building to some big climatic scene that never seemed to come.
Roger's first mistake didn't have him winning any father of the year awards and I couldn't get past what started this whole fiasco in the first place. It was like he knew it was wrong, but did it anyway.
The secondary character did nothing for the story and were used as props for when the finger-pointing started.
This book was a firm 2 star "okay" read until the ending came and I couldn't help but bump it up. It worked for me.
I would like to try something else by this author to see if his writing has improved or if it varies.
A good read that could have been better.
Visit www.HorrorAfterDark.com
April 14, 2014
At 140 pages, Truck Stop is a relatively easy read, even if it does spend a goodly amount of time spinning its wheels while a range of secondary characters are introduced. Sadly, beyond main protagonist Roger and potential love interest Kat, there is little depth to this second tier of characters, who more or less exist only to provide a range of suspects for whom might be the serial killer stalking the titular remote truck stop.
Perhaps realising this would otherwise be a by the numbers serial killer novella, Penney imbues Roger with a supernatural ability that provides the story with its few creepy moments.
Though not badly written, Truck Stop very much reads like a first time published work, with the expected publishing errors, variable pace and (worst of all) switches between perspective whenever Penney writes himself into a corner with the limited third person view. The reveal of the serial killer also unfortunately lacks any kind of surprise or impact.
You might think a rating of three stars is generous given my review so far. And you'd be right. But I cannot tell a lie. Penney completely sold me on . And that earns this read an extra star all on its own.
3 Fool Me Onces, Shame on Me for Truck Stop.
Perhaps realising this would otherwise be a by the numbers serial killer novella, Penney imbues Roger with a supernatural ability that provides the story with its few creepy moments.
Though not badly written, Truck Stop very much reads like a first time published work, with the expected publishing errors, variable pace and (worst of all) switches between perspective whenever Penney writes himself into a corner with the limited third person view. The reveal of the serial killer also unfortunately lacks any kind of surprise or impact.
You might think a rating of three stars is generous given my review so far. And you'd be right. But I cannot tell a lie. Penney completely sold me on . And that earns this read an extra star all on its own.
3 Fool Me Onces, Shame on Me for Truck Stop.
March 23, 2016
This was a fast read that I really enjoyed, a serial killer mystery kidnapping at a truck stop with just enough unusual characters to keep the story amusing. A twist at the end was the opposite of what I predicted, and so made for a fine ending.
June 23, 2020
I believe this is the first Audiobook I've listened to where the author is the narrator. He started of speaking a little too quickly, but slowed down enough as the story continued.
The description for this story didn't disappoint. Creepy truck stop, serial killer, dad looking for his missing daughter, seeing ghosts, etc. This was a good story with twists and turns. The ending was a little sad but good. It was well written and you really felt the panic in the dad. There were some weird truck drivers to add just a little more twist to the story.
I really enjoyed this story.
The description for this story didn't disappoint. Creepy truck stop, serial killer, dad looking for his missing daughter, seeing ghosts, etc. This was a good story with twists and turns. The ending was a little sad but good. It was well written and you really felt the panic in the dad. There were some weird truck drivers to add just a little more twist to the story.
I really enjoyed this story.
April 13, 2014
Truck Stop was a very pleasant surprise for me. I think the author has the ability to weave a fantastic story that entertains from beginning to end. Roger and Kat keep this story rolling. I desperately needed to see them both through this nightmare and surviving their hell at the truck stop. The story was full of quirky characters and non stop action. Although you might need a shower after spending some time at this truck stop. This place reads grimy, dirty, nasty, and decrepit.
At 140pgs, Truck Stop is a good way to spend a weekend. I would highly recommend this book if you are a fan of gory horror.
At 140pgs, Truck Stop is a good way to spend a weekend. I would highly recommend this book if you are a fan of gory horror.
September 7, 2014
Spectacular writing! I suspected the killer, but was so swept up in the excellent flow of writing that I didn't guess the ending. It's so clear now and I should have saw it coming but I thankfully didn't. I love being surprised by not seeing what's coming. Most writers leave too many hints as to what they are setting up. But this story did a fantastic bait and switch and I loved it.
For full review please see:
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For full review please see:
http://northdnvrnonzombie.wordpress.c...
December 5, 2023
What a pleasant surprise! This is a tight little horror story with great characters, a creepy setting and some gnarly set pieces. Highly recommended!
March 28, 2020
To start, I would say that the synopsis of the book needs to be trimmed, it simply gives too much away. I'd forgotten the full write-up and so parts of the tale were a real surprise to me and, re-reading the synopsis I think a lot of people are really missing out on this discovery.
As a father this book really tapped into my deepest fear, the same one all parents have when they turn around and their child is gone. Luckily this is only a brief fear for most of us but the panic that sets in is something no non-parent can truly understand and I felt that this book really did a good job, initially, in tapping into this.
I say initially as I did feel that the story didn't do enough to explain the protagonists sudden easing of panic but I can forgive this as a minor niggle considering the insanity that ensures as what we have is a really good who-dunnit with a whole slew of twists right up until the end.
As a horror tale that latches onto my own primal fear the book did an excellent job but I admit that there were just a few too many unanswered questions at the end that prevent it being the absolute classic status the ending deserves,
As a father this book really tapped into my deepest fear, the same one all parents have when they turn around and their child is gone. Luckily this is only a brief fear for most of us but the panic that sets in is something no non-parent can truly understand and I felt that this book really did a good job, initially, in tapping into this.
I say initially as I did feel that the story didn't do enough to explain the protagonists sudden easing of panic but I can forgive this as a minor niggle considering the insanity that ensures as what we have is a really good who-dunnit with a whole slew of twists right up until the end.
As a horror tale that latches onto my own primal fear the book did an excellent job but I admit that there were just a few too many unanswered questions at the end that prevent it being the absolute classic status the ending deserves,
July 1, 2024
REVIEWED: Truck Stop
WRITTEN BY: John Penney
PUBLISHED: Encyclopocalypse Publications (paperback: September, 2020; ebook: Dec., 2011)
A struggling rock musician father brings his daughter along on a road trip to his next gig. But at a road stop, terrible events begin to unfold. This story was dark, a fast read, and filled with twists to keep the reader guessing, all the while encountering a sociopathic villain and the ghosts left behind. Overall, great horror fiction read!
Five out of Five stars.
WRITTEN BY: John Penney
PUBLISHED: Encyclopocalypse Publications (paperback: September, 2020; ebook: Dec., 2011)
A struggling rock musician father brings his daughter along on a road trip to his next gig. But at a road stop, terrible events begin to unfold. This story was dark, a fast read, and filled with twists to keep the reader guessing, all the while encountering a sociopathic villain and the ghosts left behind. Overall, great horror fiction read!
Five out of Five stars.
December 4, 2020
Awesome but Short
The book was just too short for me. It had the makings of a more in-depth story line. I will look for other books by J.Penney, hoping to find longer books.
The book was just too short for me. It had the makings of a more in-depth story line. I will look for other books by J.Penney, hoping to find longer books.
August 6, 2024
For me, this book was going to be a 2 🌟 🌟 rating. I was not a fan of the writing, but the ending made me bump it up to a 3 🌟 🌟 🌟 😃
October 28, 2023
I downloaded this to my Kindle as a free read. I did finish it, but it wasn't worth my time. It was a poorly-written, steaming pile of poo.
If this book had a paid editor, they should be fired. There were so many inconsistencies and typos, I found myself wanting to red-pen it and send it back.
If this book had a paid editor, they should be fired. There were so many inconsistencies and typos, I found myself wanting to red-pen it and send it back.
January 15, 2012
I liked this book. I thought it was well written, and no errors jumped out at me as I was reading. Others might disagree, but I thought it had had an editor's touch to it. It's a horror book, with some gory parts. Though if you're a fan of gory horror movies this book will seem tame.
What I loved about it though, was the descriptions of everything. It's written in 3rd person, but I still felt like I was in the shoes of the main character, Roger. The book played in my head like a movie, and it was descriptive enough so I could imagine things but not overly descriptive so I could put my own spin on things.
It had a twist ending which was predictable, I had guessed it rather early on. However, that did not stop me from enjoying the twist any less. I actually felt satisfied that I had 'guessed right'.
It also has some murder mystery qualities to it. It sets up all the suspects nicely and you get a nice little slice into this graphic world. Though I will say there was one scene I felt a touch uncomfortable with, but it wasn't graphic and it didn't stop me from enjoying the story.
It's nothing groundbreaking or life changing, but its still an enjoyable read.
What I loved about it though, was the descriptions of everything. It's written in 3rd person, but I still felt like I was in the shoes of the main character, Roger. The book played in my head like a movie, and it was descriptive enough so I could imagine things but not overly descriptive so I could put my own spin on things.
It had a twist ending which was predictable, I had guessed it rather early on. However, that did not stop me from enjoying the twist any less. I actually felt satisfied that I had 'guessed right'.
It also has some murder mystery qualities to it. It sets up all the suspects nicely and you get a nice little slice into this graphic world. Though I will say there was one scene I felt a touch uncomfortable with, but it wasn't graphic and it didn't stop me from enjoying the story.
It's nothing groundbreaking or life changing, but its still an enjoyable read.
October 24, 2013
Hording free books is a bad thing. I downloaded this about two years ago and forgot about it. Thankfully as I was looking for horror for this month, I discovered it withering away in my archives I sent it to my kindle and read it and was amazed. It was a serial killer/supernatural mashup. I thoroughly surprised by how good it was and annoyed at myself for not ever having read it before. It is rather short so the action and plot flies by. Roger pulls into a truck stop to fill up and get some coffee. His daughter sound asleep in the back seat. He gets out and gets his coffee and when he returns she is gone.
Roger is panic struck and begins on a tear through the truck stop trying to find his daughter, along with the cast of colorful and creepy characters, he comes across others that talk to him. The dead. They want help as well.
Currently the title is 3.99, and having read it I would say its well worth it. I wish I read it sooner. A great first novel, by an oft produced screen writer.
Roger is panic struck and begins on a tear through the truck stop trying to find his daughter, along with the cast of colorful and creepy characters, he comes across others that talk to him. The dead. They want help as well.
Currently the title is 3.99, and having read it I would say its well worth it. I wish I read it sooner. A great first novel, by an oft produced screen writer.
November 23, 2015
I’ve had this book on my Kindle for...well, ages. Aaaaand...it was quite good. Trust me, I was very surprised. It was so engaging, I read late into the night and finished it the same day I started.
The story reads like a typical low-budget slasher movie script (and I can’t stand slasher movies) and the ending was most likely inspired by the blockbuster movie, The Sixth Sense. Even so, apart from the blood, gore, the crude language, and cardboard characters, I had a blast reading this story. There are some seriously creepy and twisted characters in this book, and that’s excluding the killer. The plot is driven by suspense, and the never-ending rain (in the story) added a sense of doom and despair; exactly as the author intended.
Overall, Truck Stop won’t be winning any major literary prizes, but it ensured that I’ll definitely be reading more by this author.
The story reads like a typical low-budget slasher movie script (and I can’t stand slasher movies) and the ending was most likely inspired by the blockbuster movie, The Sixth Sense. Even so, apart from the blood, gore, the crude language, and cardboard characters, I had a blast reading this story. There are some seriously creepy and twisted characters in this book, and that’s excluding the killer. The plot is driven by suspense, and the never-ending rain (in the story) added a sense of doom and despair; exactly as the author intended.
Overall, Truck Stop won’t be winning any major literary prizes, but it ensured that I’ll definitely be reading more by this author.
May 15, 2012
Kind of a slow start, but once the burned out rhythm guitar player known as a "sensitive" (who can see the dead when medicated) picks up his young daughter, I started to get into this one better. I could visualize truck stop and for the most part enjoyed the interplay between the principle characters. Somewhere after the 2/3rd point I lost interest and then picked up again for the ending. I liked that the villain was kept a mystery for most of the tale. The ending was a twist of sorts making the reader rethink the entire book. The writing style was a bit unnecessarily descriptive at times, hampering the pacing of the story.
January 20, 2013
It was spooky enough and quite descriptive though the killer was easily identified from the get-go. Quick read, good thriller.
The biggest mystery (and maybe I missed it) was what the heck ever happened to Cindy's car? Did the killer move it? Idk..
The biggest mystery (and maybe I missed it) was what the heck ever happened to Cindy's car? Did the killer move it? Idk..
December 30, 2012
This book made me feel like I was in a rollercoaster ...
January 16, 2012
This was an easy read on a lazy Sunday. It reminded me of old Stephen King.
January 22, 2012
free kindle
May 20, 2012
It was a pretty short story, but I really enjoyed the way it was written. Creepy story!
August 20, 2014
Finally finished this book after starting it ages ago. I enjoyed it for the most part, however I felt the ending was a total cop-out and could have gone much differently.
January 15, 2013
Suspensful.Easy read.
December 16, 2013
This is a fast paced and spooky read that I really enjoyed!
Displaying 1 - 27 of 27 reviews