Shooting Star

by Joe R. Lansdale

John Shaw just wanted to go fishing and live off the land—now he is one of only a few survivors involved in a horrific crash between a locomotive and a flying saucer.

Stranded in an unforgiving environment, desperate to survive, he and the remaining passengers must outrun, and outsmart, the alien life forms that are picking them off one by one.

Packed into a tightly woven, ripping yarn, Shooting Star is a beautifully told story of survival and wit, as the clash between man and invader intensifies, and the end of the human race looms near.

Genres: Horror, Science Fiction, Novella, Aliens, Adult, Fiction, Short Stories

43 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 2023

About the author

Champion Mojo Storyteller Joe R. Lansdale is the author of over forty novels and numerous short stories. His work has appeared in national anthologies, magazines, and collections, as well as numerous foreign publications. He has written for comics, television, film, newspapers, and Internet sites. His work has been collected in more than two dozen short-story collections, and he has edited or co-edited over a dozen anthologies. He has received the Edgar Award, eight Bram Stoker Awards, the Horror Writers Association Lifetime Achievement Award, the British Fantasy Award, the Grinzani Cavour Prize for Literature, the Herodotus Historical Fiction Award, the Inkpot Award for Contributions to Science Fiction and Fantasy, and many others. His novella Bubba Ho-Tep was adapted to film by Don Coscarelli, starring Bruce Campbell and Ossie Davis. His story "Incident On and Off a Mountain Road" was adapted to film for Showtime's "Masters of Horror," and he adapted his short story "Christmas with the Dead" to film hisownself. The film adaptation of his novel Cold in July was nominated for the Grand Jury Prize at the Sundance Film Festival, and the Sundance Channel has adapted his Hap & Leonard novels for television.

He is currently co-producing several films, among them The Bottoms, based on his Edgar Award-winning novel, with Bill Paxton and Brad Wyman, and The Drive-In, with Greg Nicotero. He is Writer In Residence at Stephen F. Austin State University, and is the founder of the martial arts system Shen Chuan: Martial Science and its affiliate, Shen Chuan Family System. He is a member of both the United States and International Martial Arts Halls of Fame. He lives in Nacogdoches, Texas with his wife, dog, and two cats.

Reviews

[Sadie Hartmann · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is classic Joe Lansdale. He leads readers into the story with a sweet introduction to the main character John Shaw. John and his buddy recently graduated from college and are on an indefinite fishing trip.
They meet a pretty lady on a train. The setup is just so enthralling and personable. Suddenly things “go off the rails” and John, his buddy, and their new friend are running away into the night through the woods.
Such a short, little read but it’s full of personality and creepy moments. I loved it! A very early edition exclusively for Night Worms to enjoy. This book releases in the Fall 2023.

[Rachelle · Rating 5 out of 5]

Creepy, fast paced with flying saucers!! How could you not love it!?

[MJ · Rating 5 out of 5]

My first Lansdale and I really enjoyed it. Read this about 2 weeks ago, but the ISBN was not recognized by Goodreads.

It has a vintage science fiction feel that kept me gripped thoroughout. Highly recommended for any fan of science fiction with a splash of horror.

[Coral · Rating 2 out of 5]

Watch Invasion of the Body Snatchers instead

[Horror Haus Books · Rating 3 out of 5]

Received this in my June Night Worms package.

It was fast paced and to the point. Decent story but a tad bland.

[Andi · Rating 3 out of 5]

An easy read and one that goes by really quick.

Plot doesn't falter or stop, the 3 stars I guess comes from me wanting it to be a longer and more depth to the characters and aliens / their goal. But that's just a me thing, since it still was an entertaining read to finish out my Halloween night.

[Nick Senior · Rating 5 out of 5]

My first Lansdale ever, thanks to the June Night Worms package. This was an efficient, very effective batch of sci-fi horror that very much felt like part of an old creepy anthology film or TV movie. Fast, gnarly, and darkly funny.

[Grace · Rating 4 out of 5]

I love alien stories!!

Perfect length for this story and I loved the way Lansdale created these aliens. They were so fun to visualize!

[Becky · Rating 5 out of 5]

John and his friend Dudley were looking forward to their planned post-graduation fishing trip. But their plans are derailed when the train they're on is hit by by a flying saucer!

Stranded in the middle of nowhere, the handful of survivors explore the ship but find the aliens inside dead. Or so they think. They decide to make their way to a nearby fire watch tower. But the creatures that crash landed have other plans!

This was such a fun and creepy read! It's a perfect throwback to classic science fiction tales, enhanced by the time period in which the story takes place. (Fitting considering the book is dedicated to those classic films!)

It's also classic Lansdale with his hallmark charm and quirky wit (both of which I absolutely love even in his darkest stories!.

So we have two newly graduated (college) men traveling on a train with a woman, Hilly, who intrigues them both. Which sets off a bit of tension in the beginning. And the woman in question is on her way to work at a fire watch tower.

The time and place in which the story are set are never concrete but there are hints. The train, for one. The commentary about Hilly's new job, for another.

It's a slim little volume that packs quite an enjoyable punch. Perfect for an afternoon lazing in the hammock!

[Shannon · Rating 4 out of 5]

A little amuse-bouche of horror. I like story set-ups that could go anywhere - two men on a train, heading out for adventure; they meet a lady they both take a shine to. Anything could happen! This story could turn into a western - a romance - a thriller....

The train gets hit by a flying saucer.

There's no room to mince words in a story this short - just 40-some pages. No long debates on what to do next, no arguments over what it all means. Action, action, action. Which is not to say the characterization suffers - there's some really great character work despite the brevity. To make me care enough about a fictional character in such a short period of time that I actually said "No!" out loud when they didn't make it? That's writing.

A cromulent one-day - or one-sitting! - read.

[Michael (Horror Gardener) · Rating 3 out of 5]

Short little alien invasion story made for a quick fun time. I haven't read any Lansdale before so not sure if this is top of his game or not, but I think I have a couple of his books kicking around so will give him a shot.

If you have an hour or less to kill you could do worse dooming scrolling on the internet.

[Colleen · Rating 3 out of 5]

*3.5 stars*

[Tomasz · Rating 3 out of 5]

A quick, shallow, bit of entertainment from Master Joe. Perfect for the season, when one's digesting other stuff rather than deep reads.

[Dani · Rating 5 out of 5]

What delightfully weird, creative and creepy little book

[Jessa Michelle · Rating 3 out of 5]

I didn't like it or dislike it. A super quick read.

[Chris Wolff · Rating 5 out of 5]

Lansdale is one of those writers that can write a novel and it will feel like a short story, without a wasted word, and can write a short story that contains a novel worth of ideas in it, where every word speaks multitudes. Shooting Star is the latter. A quick read, but packed with so much story. It begins like a western adventure, that shifts into a throwback pulp sci-fi story, that transforms into a creeping, unique, somewhat cosmic monster story that ratchets up the existential fear. And somehow Lansdale manages all this in a compact package without skimping on character development. It is really great writing that should be anticipated by Lansdale fans or anyone interested in weird westerns, early sci-fi, and original monsters. It will be released in early Fall, later this year. Thanks to Pandi Press and the Night Worms subscription service for getting me an early copy of this book. Highly recommend picking this up when you can.

[Bryan Davenport · Rating 5 out of 5]

Recieved in my Night Worms Box. Also, first time for Night Worms and 100% satisified and will sign up for the monthly books.

Fantastic short Lansdale story that you have read before and watched before but it is different. So not to give anything away but to summarize the love for this. It involves a train, flying sauce, firewatch tower, and a forrest. I couldn't put it down and loved it. I have seen some people complain about reading this before but I doubt they are considering they have read this set up or setting. The set up and setting really sell this and make it what it is. Hell this would be great as a short video game.

[Adrian · Rating 3 out of 5]

A quick and fun alien story set during an interesting era. A train is derailed by a UFO causing a band of unlikely survivors to fend off the coming swarm. If you like the Drive In series, you’ll enjoy this quick story. However, I’ll admit that I read this in June and now in December I’m remembering that I read it and I remember so little of it that this is the full review. I think that’s telling of its depth, that only 6 months later I’ve forgotten all but the premise. So if you want a single sitting alien story, here one is.

[James Buckley · Rating 5 out of 5]

The legendary Lansdale slips into a more subdued, but still effective, classic horror/sci-fi mode where as he details the encounter yet between a UFO and a passenger train in early 20th century America. Following said collision, the survivors of the train attempt to reach a nearby village. But they weren’t the only survivors …

Lansdale rarely disappoints. This is a short, fun, and ultimately chilling read, reminiscent of classic horror shorts like Robert Bloch’s “Notebook Found In A Deserted House.”

[Sunny · Rating 1 out of 5]

Horribly written, the concept was alright (maybe a bit stereotypical) but the execution was not there at all.

The main problem for me in these short alien/otherworldly creature stories is that writers often try to justify what is being written in the story within the story. What I’m saying is the main character wouldn’t have time to write all this down and especially would not be embellishing his writing with flowery language.

“As Im writing this now” stories never seem to work out. This felt more like a mediocre creepypasta than an esteemed sci-fi writer’s work. Disappointed.

[Kelsey · Rating 3 out of 5]

For me, an avid sci-fi reader, this is a story I've read many times before. I did appreciate how Lansdale added some unique elements to it (the time period, the type of aliens, etc.), but it wasn't enough to make this stand out among the others I've read. If you are not as well-versed in this type of alien invasion story, consider checking this one out as it is short and fast-paced. If you are like me, consider skipping as you probably won't get much out of it.

[Al Treadwell · Rating 4 out of 5]

“But merely thinking about what we had seen in the woods caused something cold to walk up my back like a big spider with wet legs.”

In times as hard-pressed as these, it’s enough to be entertained without arduous social commentary or unconventional storytelling. And it’s when you get back to basics that we see the true masters shine...

Continue reading on my Substack:
https://www.booksthatbite.com/p/bite-...

[Rich Rosell · Rating 4 out of 5]

Lansdale continues his win streak with a 43-page tale that harkens back to the 50s/60s alien invasion sci-fi genre. After a passenger train - high in the mountains - collides with something otherworldly that fell out of the sky the survivors find out the hard way what really happened.

Really fun stuff....

[Robin Patrick · Rating 4 out of 5]

Funny and engaging. Short and sweet. Unique aliens and a doomed group of travelers. This book is a great little brain break for any lover of classic sci-fi horror.

My only question for you would be: "is this a space." Read the book yourself to see what I'm talking about. You won't find the answer, but you'll know to what I am referring.

[John Bruni · Rating 4 out of 5]

Not sure what happened here, but I wasn't into this as much as I'm usually into Lansdale's work. Maybe it was just because it was short and the conflict was a bit too much for something so short. It's the story of a group of people on a train that a flying saucer crashes into. It's a fun concept, but ultimately I don't think this one will stick to my ribs.

[Libby · Rating 3 out of 5]

I will read anything this man writes. This novella has some interesting characters that I am interested in pursuing an interest about….but they are turned into vegetation before I have the opportunity! This is sci fi, like a comic book, except the flying saucer crashes into a train. The bad vegetables take over.

[Steph · Rating 4 out of 5]

The perfect little short story. Chuck Galco is the narrator for the audiobook version of this novel, and he was perfect for this job. I don’t know who he is, but there isn’t enough fictional audiobooks with his narration on it. I hope Audible, downpour, books on tape, or some other audiobook publisher rectifies this issue immediately.

3.5 stars

[Lee Zirkle · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.75* rounded to 4*. This was a solid story. It very easily could have been turned into a novel if expanded upon. The cover is great and tells a good portion of the story in its picture. This is my first read by this author and I plan to read his other book that I have. This is a horror book and it's a creepy horror. I got this from Nightworms. It was an early edition printed just for us.

[Alex Budris · Rating 3 out of 5]

As if Lost were done East Texas mojo style. A trainwreck. Body snatching extraterrestrials. What's with the man in the derby hat? Fire is their weakness. An inevitable conclusion.

More of a curiosity than anything. This short novella was published in 2023 by Pandi Press, Joe's own company. There is a special signed bookplate on the half title page.

[Nick Krenn · Rating 4 out of 5]

Short yet effective, Lansdale's Shooting Star brings to mind classic sci-fi horror movies. The story has a black-and-white television feel to it because of the setting and the character interactions. I honestly thought there would be more setup before the flying saucer's arrival, but Lansdale skips all of that to get right to the meat (or plant) of things. Then, it's a fast-paced story of survival against a seemingly unstoppable entity. It's a fun, fast ride.

⭐️⭐️⭐️💫 out of 5. Fear Nerd says, "Check it out!"