Books: Heart-Shaped Box by Joe Hill

I do not generally read anything that reeks of mainstream horror. I can't remember what attracted me to Heart-Shaped Box, but I'm glad that it found me. It was an awesome ride.

Written by Joe Hill, who I was surprised to discover today is the son of Stephen and Tabitha King, Heart-Shaped Box is a paranormal thriller from start to finish. I was scared and grossed out, but also touched by the complexity of the characters. The story is one of loss and discovery as much as it is about ghosts and revenge.

Jude Coyn, a washed-out rock icon, purchases a haunted suit from what he thinks is eBay. He doesn't believe that it's actually haunted, but when the suit arrives, reeking and tucked into a black heart-shaped box, things go to shit pretty quickly. Jude and his girlfriend, Georgia nee Marybeth, find themselves on the run from a vengeful ghost. The journey takes them home, reconnects them to each other and to their pasts. There are plenty of twists to keep things interesting and I was enraptured. Hill has a deft and easy hand with the storytelling. Apparently, it runs in the family. The pacing was great, I never grew tired. The descriptions were elegant and spooky.

( *** spoilers *** )