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Truck Stop
Before the events of Jack Kilborn's epic horror novel AFRAID...
Before the events of J.A. Konrath's critically acclaimed Jack Daniels thrillers FUZZY NAVEL and CHERRY BOMB...
Before the events of Jack Kilborn's and Blake Crouch's #1 ebook bestseller SERIAL...
A cop and two killers meet for the ultimate showdown at the TRUCK STOP.
Before the events of J.A. Konrath's critically acclaimed Jack Daniels thrillers FUZZY NAVEL and CHERRY BOMB...
Before the events of Jack Kilborn's and Blake Crouch's #1 ebook bestseller SERIAL...
A cop and two killers meet for the ultimate showdown at the TRUCK STOP.
72 pages, ebook
First published July 4, 2009
About the author
J.A. Konrath
366 books3,022 followersJoe Konrath has written over twenty novels in the Lt. Jacqueline "Jack" Daniels thriller series. They do not have to be read chronologically to be enjoyed, but the order is: Whiskey Sour, Bloody Mary, Rusty Nail, Dirty Martini, Shot of Tequila, Fuzzy Navel, Cherry Bomb, Dead On My Feet, Serial Killers Uncut (with Blake Crouch), Shaken, Stirred (with Blake Crouch), Dying Breath, Everybody Dies, Rum Runner, Last Call, White Russian, Shot Girl, Chaser, Old Fashioned, Bite Force, and Witch Brew. More coming soon.
Wow, that's a lot of Jack.
If you like your thrillers on the dark side, check out the Konrath Dark Thriller Collective, which includes the books The List, Origin, Afraid, Trapped, Endurance, Haunted House, Webcam, Disturb, What Happened To Lori, The Nine, Second Coming, and Close Your Eyes.
Joe also wrote the Stop A Murder mystery puzzle series, where you become the sleuth and solve brain teasers to try and catch a killer.
He also wrote the sci-fi trilogy, Timecaster, Timecaster Supersymmetry, and Timecaster Steampunk. Even if you don't think you like sci-fi, give them a try. They feature Joe's well-known characters from his other series, and are insane.
With Ann Voss Peterson he wrote the Codename: Chandler thrillers, including Flee, Spree, Three, Hit, Exposed, Naughty, Fix (with F. Paul Wilson), Rescue, and Free.
And, finally, he writes erotica under the pen name Melinda DuChamp, also with Ann Voss Peterson. Those books are probably too spicy for you, so only the brave and bold should seek them out.
Joe writes a lot. You should probably read everything.
You can visit Joe and sign up for his newsletter at www.JAKonrath.com/mailing-list.php
Wow, that's a lot of Jack.
If you like your thrillers on the dark side, check out the Konrath Dark Thriller Collective, which includes the books The List, Origin, Afraid, Trapped, Endurance, Haunted House, Webcam, Disturb, What Happened To Lori, The Nine, Second Coming, and Close Your Eyes.
Joe also wrote the Stop A Murder mystery puzzle series, where you become the sleuth and solve brain teasers to try and catch a killer.
He also wrote the sci-fi trilogy, Timecaster, Timecaster Supersymmetry, and Timecaster Steampunk. Even if you don't think you like sci-fi, give them a try. They feature Joe's well-known characters from his other series, and are insane.
With Ann Voss Peterson he wrote the Codename: Chandler thrillers, including Flee, Spree, Three, Hit, Exposed, Naughty, Fix (with F. Paul Wilson), Rescue, and Free.
And, finally, he writes erotica under the pen name Melinda DuChamp, also with Ann Voss Peterson. Those books are probably too spicy for you, so only the brave and bold should seek them out.
Joe writes a lot. You should probably read everything.
You can visit Joe and sign up for his newsletter at www.JAKonrath.com/mailing-list.php
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 77 reviews
July 13, 2010
Truck Stop is a straightforward serial killer yarn that doesn't introduce anything new to the genre, but nice introduction to Taylor, the digit-loving special ops character from Kilborn's Afraid.
I think the "beware" and "not for the faint of heart" from the Amazon product description are a little over-the-top. The first chapter in Kilborn's Afraid should have these warnings, but not Truck Stop. Sal's and Maggie's death in the opening chapter of Afraid is one of the most well-written, terrifying, and heartbreaking scenes I have ever read.
I think the "beware" and "not for the faint of heart" from the Amazon product description are a little over-the-top. The first chapter in Kilborn's Afraid should have these warnings, but not Truck Stop. Sal's and Maggie's death in the opening chapter of Afraid is one of the most well-written, terrifying, and heartbreaking scenes I have ever read.
December 28, 2012
I loved this book, creepy, creepy! Jack Kilborn is becoming one of my favorite authors. My only complaint about this one is that it seems to stop abruptly. I realize it's kind of a prequel to another of his that I read, but I still wanted it to continue. Still, I have to say it was a good read.
May 17, 2017
Serial Killers and truck stops just seem to go together. There's
something about these latenite sleazy islands off the interstates that
attracts the worst of our society. Two of the nastiest serial killers ever
dreamed up meet by off chance. Jack Daniels, the famed police
lieutenant, stops in at the truck stop for some coffee. As you might
have guessed, it's getting mighty crowded there and with that much
adrenalin flowing, something's bound to happen and does. A good
solid thriller from the team of Konrath and Kilborn, who interview each
other in a lengthy interview after the story. Talk about split personalities. This book does not come with a warning label and it
should. If you are looking for Nancy Drew type fiction, maybe this ain't
for you. There's violence - a bit. But it's great writing and you wont be
able to put it down. Five stars indeed
something about these latenite sleazy islands off the interstates that
attracts the worst of our society. Two of the nastiest serial killers ever
dreamed up meet by off chance. Jack Daniels, the famed police
lieutenant, stops in at the truck stop for some coffee. As you might
have guessed, it's getting mighty crowded there and with that much
adrenalin flowing, something's bound to happen and does. A good
solid thriller from the team of Konrath and Kilborn, who interview each
other in a lengthy interview after the story. Talk about split personalities. This book does not come with a warning label and it
should. If you are looking for Nancy Drew type fiction, maybe this ain't
for you. There's violence - a bit. But it's great writing and you wont be
able to put it down. Five stars indeed
February 11, 2017
My mother warned me about truck stops. Never, ever stop at one alone. Especially at night. You never know what evil stalks them.
Truck Stop will show you just what haunts them. There’s not just one serial killer biding their time, waiting for their next delicious victim. Imagine them plotting together, working together, and trying to one up each other.
In walks a woman. A homicide cop who thinks she knows all about serial killers. She’s minding her own business and stops in for a cup of java to keep her awake on the road. What happens next is a trip down the deepest, darkest rabbit hole.
So twisted on so many levels. Just the way I like em.
Truck Stop will show you just what haunts them. There’s not just one serial killer biding their time, waiting for their next delicious victim. Imagine them plotting together, working together, and trying to one up each other.
In walks a woman. A homicide cop who thinks she knows all about serial killers. She’s minding her own business and stops in for a cup of java to keep her awake on the road. What happens next is a trip down the deepest, darkest rabbit hole.
So twisted on so many levels. Just the way I like em.
April 29, 2019
3 Stars
Jack was definitely the star of this sh*t show. The so-called serial killers did not even creep me out, except in the way that the school loser creeps you out when he sizes you up.... *shudders*... You know the ones; mouth-breathers, nasally, weird creeps who like watching their sister undress.... those guys.
Anyway, I can see that the Jack Daniels series will be entertaining.
Jack was definitely the star of this sh*t show. The so-called serial killers did not even creep me out, except in the way that the school loser creeps you out when he sizes you up.... *shudders*... You know the ones; mouth-breathers, nasally, weird creeps who like watching their sister undress.... those guys.
Anyway, I can see that the Jack Daniels series will be entertaining.
December 25, 2021
Das war eine echt kurze Kurzgeschichte. Gelöst nach Jack Daniels-Art. Nicht so besonders spannend. Im Nachhinein frage ich mich WARUM??? Warum hat er das geschrieben? Man hätte das als komplettes Buch ausweiten können. Warum tat er das nicht? Nur um auf die folgenden und vorherigen Bücher hinzuweisen? Neugierig machen? Ich versteh es nicht. Zudem hat mir dieses mal der unvergleichliche Humor gefehlt. Hätte ich nicht alle anderem Bücher gekannt,wären die Personen zu wenig beschrieben,zu wenig Charisma,zu wenig Charakter. Es bleibt einfach ein großes Fragezeichen.
April 27, 2010
I stumbled on this in my usual unplanned way. I have been following the current dispute over ebook pricing and the battle now enjoined between Amazon, Apple, and the Big Six (minus 1). Konrath has a blog called A Newbies Guide to Publishing in which he documents his anti-DRM approach to digital publishing. It' worth a read. Anyway, he has brought out several of his backlist and short stories as inexpensive digital books and Truck Stop, really a short novella, was my first. It's a confrontation between his detective Jack Daniels and two serial killers who meet up and decide to victimize Jack. This led to Serial (the uncut version which actually contained Truck Stop) and completes the journey of one of the serial killers (no spoilers.) Serial does have an interesting conceit, two serial killers meet up, one hitchhiking and then they both get hoist with their own petard. It's fun.
I read one of his Jack Daniels novels. They are a quixotic blend of humor, detective, and thriller.
I read one of his Jack Daniels novels. They are a quixotic blend of humor, detective, and thriller.
March 9, 2012
Brilliant short story,there are parts of this book i think i will remember for a long time.My only gripe it was just a little too short i wanted more.
April 1, 2013
Some very sick puppies featured here.
August 5, 2026
Following the last book I read I felt like something short and sweet, and Truck Stop fit the bill perfectly! It’s a fifteen thousand word novella featuring J.A. Konrath’s standout character Jack Daniels!
The story starts off with us meeting Taylor, one nasty fucker, who has an obsession with toes. He takes Candi (with an I), one of the ladies working the lot at Murray’s truck stop, into his cab and drugs her. He intends to go all the way with inflicting pain but realizes that he knocked her out too hard with the starter fluid that he had soaked into a paper towel and pressed against her face. He decides to wait for her to come to and in the meantime locks her in the cab and goes into the diner to get a bite to eat. The juxtaposition of horrid people/characters doing everyday normal things like the rest of us is haunting to think about. Fiction really acts as a reminder in that sense. Real life isn’t all sunshine and unicorns shitting glitter.
After that opening we shift to Jack Daniels’ POV. She’s been driving to meet up with her fiancée Latham for a much needed vacation. After realizing she’s been driving in the wrong direction for three hours she decides to stop at Murray’s to fill up on caffeine and food for the drive ahead. It’s funny reading that part because it reminds me of how far we’ve come technologically when it comes to navigation. If we think we’re lost, don’t fret, just pull over and check Google Maps and get on the right way. In this story Jack is having to rely on a paper map that she can’t even see due to her cars broken overhead lamp and then Latham helps her out over the phone by using MapQuest. Throwback!!
Taylor befriends a man at the bar who clocked him immediately. The man, Donaldson (another sick fucker) explains how they’re both hunters looking for prey, and how times are tougher now due to people taking safety seriously and hitchhikers holding up their thumbs for a ride who could easily disappear without a trace are incredibly far and few between.
In walks Jack Daniels and its moments like this that I absolutely love in fiction. Already you know that when Jack is on the scene everything is going to be ok. I say that not just because of main character plot armor but because she’s a badass who doesn’t take any shit. She’s such a brilliantly written character and each time the POV shifted back to her after having flipped to the antagonists I knew it was going to be a good chapter. She’s tough, resilient, smart and incredibly capable.
The bad feeling she had towards the fatter of the two men that she was next to at the diner counter, Donaldson, paid off after he reaches out to her in the parking lot while she’s on the way to her car. Everything else that follows is classic Konrath/Kilborn! I didn’t realize this novella fit into the timeline before Fuzzy Navel and Cherry Bomb, two books I’d already read, but getting to see Jack again was such a treat! So much so that I may check out a few other novellas before proceeding on to the next major installment in the Jack Daniels series!
A note for Kindle readers. You may think this novella is longer than it is upon first glance but once you hit the 55% mark on the percentage progress bar the story ends. The rest of the book consists of a cheeky interview with the authors and then three excerpts from other books. Just a heads up if you’re surprised to find it ending sooner than you’d like!
The story starts off with us meeting Taylor, one nasty fucker, who has an obsession with toes. He takes Candi (with an I), one of the ladies working the lot at Murray’s truck stop, into his cab and drugs her. He intends to go all the way with inflicting pain but realizes that he knocked her out too hard with the starter fluid that he had soaked into a paper towel and pressed against her face. He decides to wait for her to come to and in the meantime locks her in the cab and goes into the diner to get a bite to eat. The juxtaposition of horrid people/characters doing everyday normal things like the rest of us is haunting to think about. Fiction really acts as a reminder in that sense. Real life isn’t all sunshine and unicorns shitting glitter.
After that opening we shift to Jack Daniels’ POV. She’s been driving to meet up with her fiancée Latham for a much needed vacation. After realizing she’s been driving in the wrong direction for three hours she decides to stop at Murray’s to fill up on caffeine and food for the drive ahead. It’s funny reading that part because it reminds me of how far we’ve come technologically when it comes to navigation. If we think we’re lost, don’t fret, just pull over and check Google Maps and get on the right way. In this story Jack is having to rely on a paper map that she can’t even see due to her cars broken overhead lamp and then Latham helps her out over the phone by using MapQuest. Throwback!!
Taylor befriends a man at the bar who clocked him immediately. The man, Donaldson (another sick fucker) explains how they’re both hunters looking for prey, and how times are tougher now due to people taking safety seriously and hitchhikers holding up their thumbs for a ride who could easily disappear without a trace are incredibly far and few between.
In walks Jack Daniels and its moments like this that I absolutely love in fiction. Already you know that when Jack is on the scene everything is going to be ok. I say that not just because of main character plot armor but because she’s a badass who doesn’t take any shit. She’s such a brilliantly written character and each time the POV shifted back to her after having flipped to the antagonists I knew it was going to be a good chapter. She’s tough, resilient, smart and incredibly capable.
The bad feeling she had towards the fatter of the two men that she was next to at the diner counter, Donaldson, paid off after he reaches out to her in the parking lot while she’s on the way to her car. Everything else that follows is classic Konrath/Kilborn! I didn’t realize this novella fit into the timeline before Fuzzy Navel and Cherry Bomb, two books I’d already read, but getting to see Jack again was such a treat! So much so that I may check out a few other novellas before proceeding on to the next major installment in the Jack Daniels series!
A note for Kindle readers. You may think this novella is longer than it is upon first glance but once you hit the 55% mark on the percentage progress bar the story ends. The rest of the book consists of a cheeky interview with the authors and then three excerpts from other books. Just a heads up if you’re surprised to find it ending sooner than you’d like!
October 22, 2025
Es handelt sich hierbei lediglich um eine Kurzgeschichte, die zwei Killer einführt, die wohl jeweils mit Serial und Angst eigene Jack Kilborn Bücher bekommen. Hier treffen sie auf Jack Daniels – und ich muss sagen, ich fand die Geschichte richtig einnehmend und spannend.
Ich kann ein bisschen verstehen, warum der Autor nur eine Kurzgeschichte draus gemacht hat, da eine Ermittlerin wie Jack Daniels sich nicht mit solch „kleinen Fischen“ wie Autobahnkillern abgibt, aber es war trotzdem sehr spannend, wenn auch Jack es ein bisschen zu einfach hatte, die Jungs dranzukriegen.
Aber mir gefiel die Rastplatzstimmung, man konnte sich den Truck Stop richtig vorstellen und auch die Gräueltaten im LKW waren sehr gut in Szene gesetzt.
Ich hätte die story gerne in eienr Langversion gelesen, freue mich jetzt aber umso mehr auf „Serial“ und „Angst“.
Ich kann ein bisschen verstehen, warum der Autor nur eine Kurzgeschichte draus gemacht hat, da eine Ermittlerin wie Jack Daniels sich nicht mit solch „kleinen Fischen“ wie Autobahnkillern abgibt, aber es war trotzdem sehr spannend, wenn auch Jack es ein bisschen zu einfach hatte, die Jungs dranzukriegen.
Aber mir gefiel die Rastplatzstimmung, man konnte sich den Truck Stop richtig vorstellen und auch die Gräueltaten im LKW waren sehr gut in Szene gesetzt.
Ich hätte die story gerne in eienr Langversion gelesen, freue mich jetzt aber umso mehr auf „Serial“ und „Angst“.
May 25, 2026
„Truck Stop“ ist ein kurzweiliges Prequel zu J. A. Konraths „Afraid“ und „Serial". Jack Daniels gerät auf einem Rastplatz in Wisconsin in einen Albtraum, als sie auf zwei Psychopathen trifft.
Der Schreibstil ist wie gewohnt direkt und temporeich. Die Geschichte konzentriert sich voll auf den Showdown, was das Ganze zu einer schnellen Lektüre macht. Allerdings bleibt bei der Kürze der Erzählung die psychologische Tiefe etwas auf der Strecke – es ist eher eine pure Actionszene als ein komplexer Thriller.
Wer die Jack-Daniels-Reihe mag, wird den Kampf gegen die beiden durchgeknallten Antagonisten unterhaltsam finden. Wer jedoch mehr Substanz sucht, wird hier nur kurz bedient. Ein netter Zeitvertreib, aber kein Meisterwerk.
Der Schreibstil ist wie gewohnt direkt und temporeich. Die Geschichte konzentriert sich voll auf den Showdown, was das Ganze zu einer schnellen Lektüre macht. Allerdings bleibt bei der Kürze der Erzählung die psychologische Tiefe etwas auf der Strecke – es ist eher eine pure Actionszene als ein komplexer Thriller.
Wer die Jack-Daniels-Reihe mag, wird den Kampf gegen die beiden durchgeknallten Antagonisten unterhaltsam finden. Wer jedoch mehr Substanz sucht, wird hier nur kurz bedient. Ein netter Zeitvertreib, aber kein Meisterwerk.
February 10, 2020
Interesting short read
Will Jack get her toes bitten off and her face skinned? Can she escape from the sleeper in the semi get it tied up along with the tied up prostitute? Great lead into other stories. I don't know what makes J.A. Konrath tick but he does a great job. I haven't been disappointed with any of his books so far.
Will Jack get her toes bitten off and her face skinned? Can she escape from the sleeper in the semi get it tied up along with the tied up prostitute? Great lead into other stories. I don't know what makes J.A. Konrath tick but he does a great job. I haven't been disappointed with any of his books so far.
August 17, 2017
Brill
Short, but a brill read, worth a read and I'll definitely be getting some more books by J.A. Konrath in the future!
Short, but a brill read, worth a read and I'll definitely be getting some more books by J.A. Konrath in the future!
October 15, 2017
This is a short story so it is a really quick read. Twisted, suspenseful, and decent.
January 9, 2018
A novella about two serial killers and a homicide detective that all meet at a truck stop.
February 3, 2018
Fast-paced!
Nice quick launch into the other novels. Jack Daniels is more than a great cop, she's bad... Well worth the read!
Nice quick launch into the other novels. Jack Daniels is more than a great cop, she's bad... Well worth the read!
March 13, 2018
When I downloaded this on Kindle, I did not realize it was a short story. Never the less, I enjoyed it as I normally do other JA Konrath reads. Definitely dark & a bit kinky.
April 25, 2018
Anything with Jack Daniels in it is worth checking out. This could definitely be a stand alone read but I think fans of the Jack Daniels series will appreciate it more.
January 5, 2020
Gory,bloody and rich in maniacal behaviors. This short story has taken horror to a new level.
January 21, 2022
A woman traveling alone in the middle of nowhere being offended because no one cat called her at a truck stop is one of the most r/menWritingWomen bullshit I’ve seen in a while, lol.
May 6, 2022
a darker Jack Daniels story
This story was high on action and violence but lacked the humor usually sprinkled in her stories. It was a fast read OK but not one of the better ones.
This story was high on action and violence but lacked the humor usually sprinkled in her stories. It was a fast read OK but not one of the better ones.
July 30, 2022
Two serial killers meet at a truck stop. Jack is on her way to meet her boyfriend, Latham and gets lost on the interstate. She stops at the truck stop since it is the only place open.
October 12, 2023
Quick good read.
This was a good audio read. Love JA Konrath. His books pull you in and don't let go. Great author.
This was a good audio read. Love JA Konrath. His books pull you in and don't let go. Great author.
October 28, 2023
Dark side
Kind of interesting very dark. Not for everyone but it was nice to read might look into the other books and see how
Kind of interesting very dark. Not for everyone but it was nice to read might look into the other books and see how
April 16, 2024
Short Novella about serial killers, truck stops and a strong female cop. Will definitely look into more books ny this author.
January 13, 2025
Short but....
Was short but introduced us to some interesting characters that were able to hold my attention and keep me flipping pages until the end and wanting to learn more!
Was short but introduced us to some interesting characters that were able to hold my attention and keep me flipping pages until the end and wanting to learn more!
July 23, 2025
so good
Thrilling read… I just wish the book was longer. Definitely hope for a second book! I will read it for sure.
Thrilling read… I just wish the book was longer. Definitely hope for a second book! I will read it for sure.
July 29, 2025
Great story, captivating and detailed. Not a new idea but well constructed. Would recommend for a good quick thriller.
March 4, 2017
I'll admit I enjoy these novellas less than the bigger named novels if only for the fact that I need some good with my bad.
I liked this one in particular a bit more because my favorite detective makes her bright appearance and at the end she outsmarts Taylor and Donaldson, both who disgust me in different ways, and manages to make an escape while also saving a hostage.
It's one thing to watch the behind the scenes of these maniacs where some get killed and some get away, but I'll freely admit its way less fun just reading about the evil and them getting away with it.
Too much gore and evil and not enough hope makes it 2.5 stars for me.
I liked this one in particular a bit more because my favorite detective makes her bright appearance and at the end she outsmarts Taylor and Donaldson, both who disgust me in different ways, and manages to make an escape while also saving a hostage.
It's one thing to watch the behind the scenes of these maniacs where some get killed and some get away, but I'll freely admit its way less fun just reading about the evil and them getting away with it.
Too much gore and evil and not enough hope makes it 2.5 stars for me.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 77 reviews