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Helltracks
As, one by one, people on train platforms begin disappearing without a trace — the victims of a phantom train — a psychotic serial killer travels through the state on a rampage of slaughter.
256 pages, Paperback
First published November 1, 1991
52 people want to read
About the author
William F. Nolan
372 books239 followersWilliam F. Nolan is best known as the co-author (with George Clayton Johnson) of Logan's Run -- a science fiction novel that went on to become a movie, a television series and is about to become a movie again -- and as single author of its sequels. His short stories have been selected for scores of anthologies and textbooks and he is twice winner of the Edgar Allan Poe Special Award from the Mystery Writers of America.
Nolan was born in 1928 in Kansas City Missouri. He attended the Kansas City Art Institute and worked as an artist for Hallmark Cards. He moved to California in the late 1940s and studied at San Diego State College. He began concentrating on writing rather than art and, in 1952, was introduced by fellow Missouri native (and established writer) Ray Bradbury to another young up-and-coming author, Charles Beaumont. Moving to the Los Angeles area in 1953, Nolan became along with Bradbury, Beaumont, and Richard Matheson part of the "inner core" of the soon-to-be highly influential "Southern California Group" of writers. By 1956 Nolan was a full-time writer. Since 1951 he has sold more than 1500 stories, articles, books, and other works.
Although Nolan wrote roughly 2000 pieces, to include biographies, short stories, poetry, and novels, Logan’s Run retains its hold on the public consciousness as a political fable and dystopian warning. As Nolan has stated: “That I am known at all is still astonishing to me... "
He passed away at the age of 93 due to complications from an infection.
Nolan was born in 1928 in Kansas City Missouri. He attended the Kansas City Art Institute and worked as an artist for Hallmark Cards. He moved to California in the late 1940s and studied at San Diego State College. He began concentrating on writing rather than art and, in 1952, was introduced by fellow Missouri native (and established writer) Ray Bradbury to another young up-and-coming author, Charles Beaumont. Moving to the Los Angeles area in 1953, Nolan became along with Bradbury, Beaumont, and Richard Matheson part of the "inner core" of the soon-to-be highly influential "Southern California Group" of writers. By 1956 Nolan was a full-time writer. Since 1951 he has sold more than 1500 stories, articles, books, and other works.
Although Nolan wrote roughly 2000 pieces, to include biographies, short stories, poetry, and novels, Logan’s Run retains its hold on the public consciousness as a political fable and dystopian warning. As Nolan has stated: “That I am known at all is still astonishing to me... "
He passed away at the age of 93 due to complications from an infection.
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Displaying 1 - 2 of 2 reviews
October 26, 2020
Spooktober 2020 Book 22
What the hell did I just read? Seriously, what the shit was this?
I literally have no idea what Nolan was trying to achieve with this book because it’s a big pile of steaming crap.
Nothing makes sense in this story. Nothing is explained. The 2 stories that are told in Helltracks have zero relation to each other except that they take place in the same area of Montana and one chance encounter between the serial killer character and the father of one of the other main characters. When the the train shows up (after like 240 pages) it’s literally for no reason and with one small throwaway reference to why it behaves in the way it does...and that reasoning is as inane as stupid as the rest of the garbage that randomly happens in this book.
Look, I didn’t go into Helltracks expecting much but I defiantly wanted more than this sad excuse for a book.
What the hell did I just read? Seriously, what the shit was this?
I literally have no idea what Nolan was trying to achieve with this book because it’s a big pile of steaming crap.
Nothing makes sense in this story. Nothing is explained. The 2 stories that are told in Helltracks have zero relation to each other except that they take place in the same area of Montana and one chance encounter between the serial killer character and the father of one of the other main characters. When the the train shows up (after like 240 pages) it’s literally for no reason and with one small throwaway reference to why it behaves in the way it does...and that reasoning is as inane as stupid as the rest of the garbage that randomly happens in this book.
Look, I didn’t go into Helltracks expecting much but I defiantly wanted more than this sad excuse for a book.
June 27, 2012
This was an interesting read. It follows two paths, one about a Montana sheep rancher who looses his daughter and he sees visions that tells him she was kidnapped on a train, and he tries to find vengeance. The other path follows the journal of a serial killer who is known as the Big Sky Strangler and we follow his path of killing as he travels through Montana. This tale ends with some supernatural horror but it's more like a crime thriller for the bulk of the book. It's an interesting mix and it kept me entertained, Nolan wrote a well crafted story here; it's not a spectacular story but it is a good story and I would easily recommend it. I'm glad I read it.
Displaying 1 - 2 of 2 reviews