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Sixty-Five Stirrup Iron Road
What starts like a haunted house novel as written by the Marquis de Sade develops into a meta-deconstruction of hardcore horror and why we love sex and violence. There is something seriously wrong with the house at Sixty-Five Stirrup Iron Road. Its history is awash with sadistic violence and fiendish sex. For generations the house has corrupted its inhabitants. Now Arrianne and Chuck have moved in, and the house is ready to hunt once more. But this time the house's occupants won't be the only targets. No one is safe-not the reader, not the authors, and not the horror genre itself... Nine of the biggest names in horror fiction collaborate on a gore-and-sex-soaked novel with all proceeds benefiting modern master of crime and terror, Tom Piccirilli.
196 pages, Kindle Edition
First published December 1, 2013
22 people are currently reading
693 people want to read
About the author
Brian Keene
382 books2,992 followersBRIAN KEENE writes novels, comic books, short fiction, and occasional journalism for money. He is the author of over forty books, mostly in the horror, crime, and dark fantasy genres. His 2003 novel, The Rising, is often credited (along with Robert Kirkman’s The Walking Dead comic and Danny Boyle’s 28 Days Later film) with inspiring pop culture’s current interest in zombies. Keene’s novels have been translated into German, Spanish, Polish, Italian, French, Taiwanese, and many more. In addition to his own original work, Keene has written for media properties such as Doctor Who, Hellboy, Masters of the Universe, and Superman.
Several of Keene’s novels have been developed for film, including Ghoul, The Ties That Bind, and Fast Zombies Suck. Several more are in-development or under option. Keene also serves as Executive Producer for the independent film studio Drunken Tentacle Productions.
Keene also oversees Maelstrom, his own small press publishing imprint specializing in collectible limited editions, via Thunderstorm Books.
Keene’s work has been praised in such diverse places as The New York Times, The History Channel, The Howard Stern Show, CNN.com, Publisher’s Weekly, Media Bistro, Fangoria Magazine, and Rue Morgue Magazine. He has won numerous awards and honors, including the World Horror 2014 Grand Master Award, two Bram Stoker Awards, and a recognition from Whiteman A.F.B. (home of the B-2 Stealth Bomber) for his outreach to U.S. troops serving both overseas and abroad. A prolific public speaker, Keene has delivered talks at conventions, college campuses, theaters, and inside Central Intelligence Agency headquarters in Langley, VA.
The father of two sons, Keene lives in rural Pennsylvania.
Several of Keene’s novels have been developed for film, including Ghoul, The Ties That Bind, and Fast Zombies Suck. Several more are in-development or under option. Keene also serves as Executive Producer for the independent film studio Drunken Tentacle Productions.
Keene also oversees Maelstrom, his own small press publishing imprint specializing in collectible limited editions, via Thunderstorm Books.
Keene’s work has been praised in such diverse places as The New York Times, The History Channel, The Howard Stern Show, CNN.com, Publisher’s Weekly, Media Bistro, Fangoria Magazine, and Rue Morgue Magazine. He has won numerous awards and honors, including the World Horror 2014 Grand Master Award, two Bram Stoker Awards, and a recognition from Whiteman A.F.B. (home of the B-2 Stealth Bomber) for his outreach to U.S. troops serving both overseas and abroad. A prolific public speaker, Keene has delivered talks at conventions, college campuses, theaters, and inside Central Intelligence Agency headquarters in Langley, VA.
The father of two sons, Keene lives in rural Pennsylvania.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 99 reviews
April 1, 2025
I’ve read work from all of these contributors, and I’ve enjoyed something from most of them, but this was an experiment in filth that went off the rails in a pandemonious, self-referential clamor, crashing into a zoo of hysteric, horny animals. I respect the rebellion—even within the bloody, fluid confines of an already inherently rebellious sub-genre of hardcore horror—and I’m in favor of pushing narrative boundaries as much as I am boundaries of taste and propriety.
They seemed to have a lot of fun writing it. I had a fair bit of fun reading it. I can’t say they achieved what they set out to do, because I don’t think they set out to do anything in particular, which is respectable in its own chaotic right. I assess this insanity with due regard, even if I hoped for something it wound up not being. It conveys a madness usually reserved for a protagonist at the conclusion of a Lovecraft story.
I have to wonder if a more grounded and grim writer like Jack Ketchum tried to keep everyone on task, but ended up acquiescing after seeing the futility in attempting to wrangle eight shit-flinging monkeys on a derailing bullet train.
I’m projecting, surely. I’ve worked with a group of writers on a story I formulated to be a Kafkaesque neo-noir horror story only for it to be bludgeoned and contorted into a punchline about ejaculating in your pants while murdering someone (but I didn’t get to choose my committee).
SPOILER:
This exquisite corpse of a haunted house novel has nine fiends of the genre outdoing each other in depravity until the whole perverse affair descends into a meta-mess of an inside joke in which the writers themselves become part of the story and ridicule each other’s contributions before falling victim to the sexually predatory poltergeist whose tale they were condemned to apprise.
They seemed to have a lot of fun writing it. I had a fair bit of fun reading it. I can’t say they achieved what they set out to do, because I don’t think they set out to do anything in particular, which is respectable in its own chaotic right. I assess this insanity with due regard, even if I hoped for something it wound up not being. It conveys a madness usually reserved for a protagonist at the conclusion of a Lovecraft story.
I have to wonder if a more grounded and grim writer like Jack Ketchum tried to keep everyone on task, but ended up acquiescing after seeing the futility in attempting to wrangle eight shit-flinging monkeys on a derailing bullet train.
I’m projecting, surely. I’ve worked with a group of writers on a story I formulated to be a Kafkaesque neo-noir horror story only for it to be bludgeoned and contorted into a punchline about ejaculating in your pants while murdering someone (but I didn’t get to choose my committee).
SPOILER:
This exquisite corpse of a haunted house novel has nine fiends of the genre outdoing each other in depravity until the whole perverse affair descends into a meta-mess of an inside joke in which the writers themselves become part of the story and ridicule each other’s contributions before falling victim to the sexually predatory poltergeist whose tale they were condemned to apprise.
March 1, 2024
BR with Twerking To Beethoven. RTC.
August 19, 2022
that ended in a twist i didn’t see coming. lol 🧐
was this story disturbing? yes
was it creepy? yes
was it gross? yes
would i recommend it? only if you like disturbing, creepy and gross stories.
this was a fun read. i enjoyed it.
was this story disturbing? yes
was it creepy? yes
was it gross? yes
would i recommend it? only if you like disturbing, creepy and gross stories.
this was a fun read. i enjoyed it.
May 3, 2015
Sixty Five Stirrup Iron Road is a severely wincing, extreme erotic horror mash-up from some of the biggest names in probably the most disturbing of genres. Brian Keene, Edward Lee, Wrath James White, Bryan Smith, Jack Ketchum, Shane McKenzie, Ryan Harding, Nate Southard and J F Gonzalez all lend a hand and with that talent on show it’s easy to guess what you're in for. It's all down to how far they're willing to go and yes it most certainly is down to the bone.
The authors collaborate on chapters to keep the story rolling along maxing out the disturbometer as we go, with the pinnacle scaling the heights of emetophilia or Roman showers, which if you're still blissfully unaware then you might want to stay that way because well, basically it's a sexual practice that involves vomiting. Still interested well then golden showers and animals shouldn't phase you in the slightest and yep that's also in there.
There is something seriously wrong with that house, its influence fiendish and depraved, a past tainted with sadistic violence and deviant sex of the kinkiest variety. Edward Lee takes the reigns of the prologue and gives us a taste of the house before we jump ten years and Arrianne and Chuck move into the ill-fated abode.
The sex is fantastic, Arrianne is insatiable, permanently aroused and for Chuck life is riding high, her depression now a thing firmly rooted in the past. Even the place he’d only dreamed of was now seemingly open and accepting visitors, you know what I mean but like all good things it doesn't last forever. There's funny noises, maybe chipmunks or mice, strange things are happening and their behaviour is now existing on an entirely different plane.
So we have nine of the biggest names in horror fanning the flames of a blood, vomit and moistened appendage soaked ride, with all proceeds benefiting modern master of crime and terror, Tom Piccirilli. The authors even write themselves into the story and if this sounds like your kind of thing them I'm sure you'll love it, it’s definitely memorable.
Also posted at http://paulnelson.booklikes.com/post/...
The authors collaborate on chapters to keep the story rolling along maxing out the disturbometer as we go, with the pinnacle scaling the heights of emetophilia or Roman showers, which if you're still blissfully unaware then you might want to stay that way because well, basically it's a sexual practice that involves vomiting. Still interested well then golden showers and animals shouldn't phase you in the slightest and yep that's also in there.
There is something seriously wrong with that house, its influence fiendish and depraved, a past tainted with sadistic violence and deviant sex of the kinkiest variety. Edward Lee takes the reigns of the prologue and gives us a taste of the house before we jump ten years and Arrianne and Chuck move into the ill-fated abode.
The sex is fantastic, Arrianne is insatiable, permanently aroused and for Chuck life is riding high, her depression now a thing firmly rooted in the past. Even the place he’d only dreamed of was now seemingly open and accepting visitors, you know what I mean but like all good things it doesn't last forever. There's funny noises, maybe chipmunks or mice, strange things are happening and their behaviour is now existing on an entirely different plane.
So we have nine of the biggest names in horror fanning the flames of a blood, vomit and moistened appendage soaked ride, with all proceeds benefiting modern master of crime and terror, Tom Piccirilli. The authors even write themselves into the story and if this sounds like your kind of thing them I'm sure you'll love it, it’s definitely memorable.
Also posted at http://paulnelson.booklikes.com/post/...
February 23, 2015
I hereby acknowledge this book "sickest gore fest of all time"! At least, in my experience, I can't think of anything nearly as disgusting as this. Since that was the goal the authors set out to achieve, I have to say they nailed it. If it's extreme horror you're after, look no further.
March 21, 2024
“There are no exit doors!” Wrath grabbed Lee by the collar and raised him off the bar stool. “This is all your fault! What are we gonna do?”
Lee merely smiled. “What’s this we shit? I’m the last guy with the story file. Get it?”
Lee merely smiled. “What’s this we shit? I’m the last guy with the story file. Get it?”
June 18, 2019
"Arg-a-lar-gur-lar-gur-larrrrrrrr!"
If you've read other reviews for this title you've probably noticed a theme here: this story is not for everyone. Essentially, most of the book appears to be a gross-out contest between the authors; a depraved and perverted "tour-de-gore" that is as hilariously irreverent as it is stomach churning. Although well written (with these authors how could it not be) the story itself is really not all that engaging, but if you're slightly twisted and sick in the head, the lack of plot won't be much of an issue. And, if you read to the end, you'll be rewarded with one of the most hilarious scenes in any horror book. A revolting tale for a worthy cause. I recommend it to horror readers with a strong stomach and thick skin.
If you've read other reviews for this title you've probably noticed a theme here: this story is not for everyone. Essentially, most of the book appears to be a gross-out contest between the authors; a depraved and perverted "tour-de-gore" that is as hilariously irreverent as it is stomach churning. Although well written (with these authors how could it not be) the story itself is really not all that engaging, but if you're slightly twisted and sick in the head, the lack of plot won't be much of an issue. And, if you read to the end, you'll be rewarded with one of the most hilarious scenes in any horror book. A revolting tale for a worthy cause. I recommend it to horror readers with a strong stomach and thick skin.
December 18, 2013
Edward Lee, Jack Ketchum, Brian Keene, Bryan Smith, Wrath James White, JF Gonzalez, Shane McKenzie, Nate Southard, Ryan Harding...arguably, the darkest, most twisted scribes of modern and hardcore horror have all teamed up for this collaborative novel from Eraserhead Press, with proceeds going to the prolific Tom Piccirilli, who's recovering from cancer. Arrianne and Chuck move into the house of their dreams, but their dreams soon morph into a stew of the most warped and perverse nightmares imaginable. Those familiar with the aforementioned authors will not be disappointed, and the last quarter of the novel more than makes this truly sick and scary trip worthwhile. Highly recommended.
September 10, 2014
Let's just get this out of the way before going any further. This is a book written by some of the biggest names in extreme horror so this isn't going to be Mary Poppins. This is exactly what you'd expect and would only accept from these guys.
You shouldn't read this before or after eating and if you have no idea who any of these writers are should really avoid this book. This is a dream come true for extreme horror fans and they do not dissapoint. Edward Lee kicks things off and if you make it passed the prologue you are a true fan.
The story takes the typical ghost story and destroys it. There are no slamming doors, or moving furniture. These ghosts are into hardcore porn and sex that would make a nun cry in terror. This story is unsettling but one that pulls you violently along until it's conclusion which is an ending you have to read to believe. I am still laughing.
There are nine writers each taking a chapter and at times it feels as if these guys are trying to outdo the other but the story moves at a steady clip and never once loses steam. Each writer handles the subject matter well and delves right into the story's development.
It's the talent writing this book that makes it work. The writing is at times bile inducing but it's an interesting concept that works. Anyone can write a ghost story but only these guys could pull off a cohesive splatterpunk ghost story or is it?
Stirrup Iron Road is a shocking book but one you would expect from Brian Keene, Jack Ketchum, Edward Lee, J.F. Gonzalez, Bryan Smith, Wrath James White, Mate Southard, Ryan Harding, and Shane McKenzie. Put these guys together and you are in for one hell of a ride.
You shouldn't read this before or after eating and if you have no idea who any of these writers are should really avoid this book. This is a dream come true for extreme horror fans and they do not dissapoint. Edward Lee kicks things off and if you make it passed the prologue you are a true fan.
The story takes the typical ghost story and destroys it. There are no slamming doors, or moving furniture. These ghosts are into hardcore porn and sex that would make a nun cry in terror. This story is unsettling but one that pulls you violently along until it's conclusion which is an ending you have to read to believe. I am still laughing.
There are nine writers each taking a chapter and at times it feels as if these guys are trying to outdo the other but the story moves at a steady clip and never once loses steam. Each writer handles the subject matter well and delves right into the story's development.
It's the talent writing this book that makes it work. The writing is at times bile inducing but it's an interesting concept that works. Anyone can write a ghost story but only these guys could pull off a cohesive splatterpunk ghost story or is it?
Stirrup Iron Road is a shocking book but one you would expect from Brian Keene, Jack Ketchum, Edward Lee, J.F. Gonzalez, Bryan Smith, Wrath James White, Mate Southard, Ryan Harding, and Shane McKenzie. Put these guys together and you are in for one hell of a ride.
April 29, 2014
This may explain something about this book. It is on Brian Keene's website.
"The most infamous event in all of horror literature – the Gross Out Contest at the World Horror Convention in Portland, OR! The contest is simple – your goal is to tell the most extreme, gag-inducing, vile-filled, piece of literary excrement your twisted mind can summon. You have three minutes to read the story and then you will be stopped and the audience will decide if you will continue. If you pass that test, you have two more minutes to finish your story – you WILL be cut-off at five minutes!
You will be graded on the following criteria – GROSSNESS, HUMOR, AUDIENCE REACTION, PRESENTATION, and ORIGINALITY.
Props and costumes are highly encouraged!
The event will be taking place Saturday evening, May 10th."
"The most infamous event in all of horror literature – the Gross Out Contest at the World Horror Convention in Portland, OR! The contest is simple – your goal is to tell the most extreme, gag-inducing, vile-filled, piece of literary excrement your twisted mind can summon. You have three minutes to read the story and then you will be stopped and the audience will decide if you will continue. If you pass that test, you have two more minutes to finish your story – you WILL be cut-off at five minutes!
You will be graded on the following criteria – GROSSNESS, HUMOR, AUDIENCE REACTION, PRESENTATION, and ORIGINALITY.
Props and costumes are highly encouraged!
The event will be taking place Saturday evening, May 10th."
August 15, 2016
This was some sick, twisted shit! And believe me, I have read some perverse stuff but this trumps them all.
This book contains all sorts of WTF. And what the hell was with the ending?! Of course, I should have expected as much considering the author collaboration. This is another of those books that had me going, "What does this say about me?" Because as warped as this was, I liked it. I'm a fan of the stuff that gets me uncomfortable. While others may squirm in their seat, I'm more like the guy in the middle:
If you want a nice little depraved journey in horror, take this ride. Just come prepared with an open mind and a strong stomach.
August 16, 2020
Сборник с разкази в стил "ужас" които обаче са доста тъпички.
July 17, 2025
Sixty-Five Stirrup Iron Road is like some kind of extreme horror artefact; if the entire genre was lost to history, scientists could rebuild it 'Jurassic Park style' from this book's DNA.
March 11, 2015
THE BOOK of PUKE and GOLDEN SHOWER.
...aka the book when a bunch of (so called) famous horror writers are totally unable to find out a good horror story, so instead they write down their most disgusting sexual fantasies, fold the paper into two and put it into a mixer, spit into it, mix it well, shake it... then voila! Here's the bestest most awesome horror book of 2015! Your new favorite!
Seriously?!
I can't believe that Jack Ketchum gave his name for something like this GARBAGE!
This is one of the worst horror books I've ever read in my life. Maybe only Keene's "The Rising" was the only one that was able to top this.
This book isn't even horror, it's a compilation of perverse, sick porn stories, which they desperately tried to mix into one consistent story. About 99% of the book is about pissing, puking on each other, having sex with homeless people, then killing them, then having sex with their corpses then pissing on the corpses too.
Seriously what's the f* did they think when they wrote this?
Should this book entertain me? Well it couldn't.
Should this scare the hell out of me? It didn't scare me at all. This book is not scary in any sense. I wasn't the least scared on the lowest possible level.
Should this book sexually excite me? (with all those things mentioned above) Well I didn't find it sexually stimulating. I would spit on my face in the mirror if I found this stimulating sexually. I wouldn't call myself a man, or even a human being with a soul.
I'm not an over-sensitive, easily offended person, but this book wasn't good for anything else than making me almost retch while I was eating my dinner. Woah! That's cool bros! Congrats! Keep up the good work! That's a level that every writer should reach in their careers. (sarcastically of course)
I appreciate sick stuff, I really enjoyed Carlton Mellick's Apeshit and Clusterfuck books. At least those ones were extremely funny. But this one wasn't.
I never considered Brian Keene a talented author (as I mentioned, Rising is one of the worst zombie books in my opinion... ever!) but this level is too low even for him.
I never considered Wrath James White a good writer. I think aside from writing extremely violent sex scenes he wasn't ever able to create anything worthwhile. But this book is maybe even too low for him.
I also never considered Edward Lee a very good writer. He's doing nothing else than writing down his own most perverted fantasies (in the name of horror genre) and pimp it up with fancy words because that makes it brilliant and genial and makes it sophisticated and okay. Well this book wasn't too low for him, because most of his books are already like this one. So at least I wasn't disappointed in him.
But it's the biggest fall (in level of quality) for Jack Ketchum who's one of my favorite writers. I really don't understand how could he take part in something like this?
To me this book felt like, when some retarded morons (maybe a bunch of drunk truck drivers) are sitting on a Friday afternoon and making jokes about sex and being gross just for the fun of it. Making a "who can be the most stupid, drunk & retarded contest".
Well, for me Brian Keene won this contest, so congrats man! Well done!
So, you can be proud of yourself Mr. Keene. And all of you guys who were taking part of this shameful piece of nothing! It was already a shame to publish something like this.
No real story here guys, no horror, no thrills, no chills, no suspense, no literature, just garbage on the back of more garbage coated with puke and golden shower.
...aka the book when a bunch of (so called) famous horror writers are totally unable to find out a good horror story, so instead they write down their most disgusting sexual fantasies, fold the paper into two and put it into a mixer, spit into it, mix it well, shake it... then voila! Here's the bestest most awesome horror book of 2015! Your new favorite!
Seriously?!
I can't believe that Jack Ketchum gave his name for something like this GARBAGE!
This is one of the worst horror books I've ever read in my life. Maybe only Keene's "The Rising" was the only one that was able to top this.
This book isn't even horror, it's a compilation of perverse, sick porn stories, which they desperately tried to mix into one consistent story. About 99% of the book is about pissing, puking on each other, having sex with homeless people, then killing them, then having sex with their corpses then pissing on the corpses too.
Seriously what's the f* did they think when they wrote this?
Should this book entertain me? Well it couldn't.
Should this scare the hell out of me? It didn't scare me at all. This book is not scary in any sense. I wasn't the least scared on the lowest possible level.
Should this book sexually excite me? (with all those things mentioned above) Well I didn't find it sexually stimulating. I would spit on my face in the mirror if I found this stimulating sexually. I wouldn't call myself a man, or even a human being with a soul.
I'm not an over-sensitive, easily offended person, but this book wasn't good for anything else than making me almost retch while I was eating my dinner. Woah! That's cool bros! Congrats! Keep up the good work! That's a level that every writer should reach in their careers. (sarcastically of course)
I appreciate sick stuff, I really enjoyed Carlton Mellick's Apeshit and Clusterfuck books. At least those ones were extremely funny. But this one wasn't.
I never considered Brian Keene a talented author (as I mentioned, Rising is one of the worst zombie books in my opinion... ever!) but this level is too low even for him.
I never considered Wrath James White a good writer. I think aside from writing extremely violent sex scenes he wasn't ever able to create anything worthwhile. But this book is maybe even too low for him.
I also never considered Edward Lee a very good writer. He's doing nothing else than writing down his own most perverted fantasies (in the name of horror genre) and pimp it up with fancy words because that makes it brilliant and genial and makes it sophisticated and okay. Well this book wasn't too low for him, because most of his books are already like this one. So at least I wasn't disappointed in him.
But it's the biggest fall (in level of quality) for Jack Ketchum who's one of my favorite writers. I really don't understand how could he take part in something like this?
To me this book felt like, when some retarded morons (maybe a bunch of drunk truck drivers) are sitting on a Friday afternoon and making jokes about sex and being gross just for the fun of it. Making a "who can be the most stupid, drunk & retarded contest".
Well, for me Brian Keene won this contest, so congrats man! Well done!
So, you can be proud of yourself Mr. Keene. And all of you guys who were taking part of this shameful piece of nothing! It was already a shame to publish something like this.
No real story here guys, no horror, no thrills, no chills, no suspense, no literature, just garbage on the back of more garbage coated with puke and golden shower.
January 28, 2014
You have to admire the hell out of a bunch of hardcore horror writers who would dedicate their time and effort for free to an experimental short hardcore horror novel, with the proceeds going to sponsor a fellow author and friend, Tom Piccirilli, in his time of need as he battles the medical bills associated with already beating cancer. For this reason alone anyone ragging on Sixty-Five Stirrup Iron Road would have to have a heart made of stone, no actual soul, or just be so bitter and twisted that their only joy in the world would come from making babies cry by scaring them with melting clown-face masks.
The question of whether Sixty-Five Stirrup Iron Road is actually a good novel despite - or perhaps because of - this heart-warming reason for being is probably answered within the novel itself (sounds weird I know, but you'll understand). What is unquestionable about the novel, however, is the following: 1) It's disgustingly gross, and 2) It ends up being a hell of a lot of fun. The first unquestionable fact can pretty much be summed up by the fact that Edward Lee wrote the prologue and had a hand in the first chapter. He therefore sets the tone for the whole work. That should tell you everything you need to know. It arguably doesn't get worse than his sections, but neither does it get a hell of a lot better (in the grossness stakes). The second unquestionable fact might well be in serious doubt for many readers by the three-quarter mark of the novel, but trust me on this, hang in there. The last quarter more than qualifies my bold statement.
So there you have it. As long as you're mentally prepared for all manner of bodily fluids, stomach-churning sexual acts, ghosts of unparallelled perversity, and murder most foul, you too should get a kick out of this.
3.5 Nausea-Inducing, Puss-Filled Genital Warts for Sixty-Five Stirrup Iron Road.
The question of whether Sixty-Five Stirrup Iron Road is actually a good novel despite - or perhaps because of - this heart-warming reason for being is probably answered within the novel itself (sounds weird I know, but you'll understand). What is unquestionable about the novel, however, is the following: 1) It's disgustingly gross, and 2) It ends up being a hell of a lot of fun. The first unquestionable fact can pretty much be summed up by the fact that Edward Lee wrote the prologue and had a hand in the first chapter. He therefore sets the tone for the whole work. That should tell you everything you need to know. It arguably doesn't get worse than his sections, but neither does it get a hell of a lot better (in the grossness stakes). The second unquestionable fact might well be in serious doubt for many readers by the three-quarter mark of the novel, but trust me on this, hang in there. The last quarter more than qualifies my bold statement.
So there you have it. As long as you're mentally prepared for all manner of bodily fluids, stomach-churning sexual acts, ghosts of unparallelled perversity, and murder most foul, you too should get a kick out of this.
3.5 Nausea-Inducing, Puss-Filled Genital Warts for Sixty-Five Stirrup Iron Road.
February 9, 2014
4.6 this one contained many of my favorite authors that are all know for being extreme trying to outdo each other and I loved it. Shane mckenzies first chapter was the best in my opinion. without giving away any spoilers I will say that normally I would hate that type of ending but in this case I loved it.
June 23, 2017
An Allstar of great horror fiction authors combined into one hell of a story. Edward Lee, Brian Keene and many more of the ones you love, pay tribute to J.F. Gonzalez. Much appreciated, and entertaining. Thank you.
March 3, 2021
Utterly fucked up, mad, brutal fun. Loved it 😁
April 12, 2025
This is one of those books that no one had ever mentioned before or had I seen talked about at all. And when I saw the lineup I knew immediately I had to read it. I didn’t know (I didn’t pay attention I would guess) that this wasn’t an anthology but all the authors writing solo chapters or chapters with each other. That was fun to find out!
This story initially introduces us to Nicci. She goes through some wild times which lead her to living with her brother, Sam. Something is very off with the house. Highly disgusting and disturbing porno is found playing on computers, Nicci mysteriously has baby gravy all over her and she is having weird “dreams”. She is convinced that her brother is a pervert freak trying to do something to her. She could not be more wrong. I won’t ruin anything more of Nicci’s surprise besides that it involves an obscene and over the top amount of vomit and gore.
Eventually the story moves along to Arrianne and her husband Chuck, 10 years later - you guessed it - they move into the old house Nicci and Sam were in. Unbeknownst to them they have made their new home somewhere that will rip their lives apart. Thus ensues a lot more vomit, a lot more porno that will make your eyeballs feel violated, Arianne is so sexually charged by vulgar and disgusting things and there is a certain scene with false teeth that’ll live in my head rent free for some time. Then as the story goes: chaos and madness ensues without holding back at all on all the nasty gory barfy things.
Lastly, there is a super surprise twist in this book. I will only give away this: the fourth wall is broken. This alone is worth the 5 star rating.
For someone who has emetophobia (fear of vomit, vomiting, others vomiting, etc) this book could have taken me right out. Luckily I do not get triggered by reading about vomit. But that didn’t make it any less disgusting. 🤢 This book is truly deplorable and I love every page of it. The authors that came together to present this to their fans are just unmatched. If you’re new to extreme horror and splatterpunk maybe try something more tame but to my weathered and hardened readers, please go ingest this barf-o-rama. 😵💫😷
This story initially introduces us to Nicci. She goes through some wild times which lead her to living with her brother, Sam. Something is very off with the house. Highly disgusting and disturbing porno is found playing on computers, Nicci mysteriously has baby gravy all over her and she is having weird “dreams”. She is convinced that her brother is a pervert freak trying to do something to her. She could not be more wrong. I won’t ruin anything more of Nicci’s surprise besides that it involves an obscene and over the top amount of vomit and gore.
Eventually the story moves along to Arrianne and her husband Chuck, 10 years later - you guessed it - they move into the old house Nicci and Sam were in. Unbeknownst to them they have made their new home somewhere that will rip their lives apart. Thus ensues a lot more vomit, a lot more porno that will make your eyeballs feel violated, Arianne is so sexually charged by vulgar and disgusting things and there is a certain scene with false teeth that’ll live in my head rent free for some time. Then as the story goes: chaos and madness ensues without holding back at all on all the nasty gory barfy things.
Lastly, there is a super surprise twist in this book. I will only give away this: the fourth wall is broken. This alone is worth the 5 star rating.
For someone who has emetophobia (fear of vomit, vomiting, others vomiting, etc) this book could have taken me right out. Luckily I do not get triggered by reading about vomit. But that didn’t make it any less disgusting. 🤢 This book is truly deplorable and I love every page of it. The authors that came together to present this to their fans are just unmatched. If you’re new to extreme horror and splatterpunk maybe try something more tame but to my weathered and hardened readers, please go ingest this barf-o-rama. 😵💫😷
January 21, 2020
If the idea here was to create the grossest, most misogynistic and disgusting, all-over-the place story... then these guys achieved it. Some of the story and characters work, while much of it is just lacking in any semblance of coherency. It seems to me that once the project and chapters began to be pieced together, this became all too obvious to Jack Ketchum, and the story moved from Chuck and Arrianne to Keene, Ketchum, Lee, Smith, Gonzalez,White, Southard, and McKenzie. I love all these guys (and adored the reference to the Awesome Richard Laymon) so although I found most of the story ridiculous and vomit-inducing, it was terrific to have all these guys having a laugh at each other’s expense, and having a grand old time.
I know most readers these days don’t put as much emphasis on book covers, but a shout-out to Nick Gurley for the front cover art. Gave the book a vintage look that was very intriguing.
Last point I will make is that I am really glad these guys did this project together, whether you actually like the story or not, because each of these guys bring a greatness to the horror genre. It is especially poignant and important as we lost Ketchum and Gonzalez since its publication.
I know most readers these days don’t put as much emphasis on book covers, but a shout-out to Nick Gurley for the front cover art. Gave the book a vintage look that was very intriguing.
Last point I will make is that I am really glad these guys did this project together, whether you actually like the story or not, because each of these guys bring a greatness to the horror genre. It is especially poignant and important as we lost Ketchum and Gonzalez since its publication.
August 6, 2024
Ok, ok, ok… I’ll admit that I struggled through this one, but damn am I glad I stuck with it. What was looking like a train wreck turned into hilarity, which will likely only be appreciated by true lovers of the horror genre.
August 17, 2023
2,5 ⭐
Das war mir etwas zu wild und stellenweise auch zu eklig. Der Twist zum Ende hin ganz witzig aber leider auch nicht mehr.
Das war mir etwas zu wild und stellenweise auch zu eklig. Der Twist zum Ende hin ganz witzig aber leider auch nicht mehr.
July 17, 2023
"Sixty-Five Stirrup Iron Road".
This collaboration opens with an amazing chapter by Edward Lee, and then each chapter after is written by another godfather of horror. Some of these wonderful writers are still with us, such as Wrath and Harding, while others have since passed like Ketchum and Gonzales. I really enjoyed the story until a little more than halfway through, but then I began to feel as if the story was a bit disjointed. It didn't seem to possess the same cohesion it did in the earlier sections of the novel. I think this is mostly due to the fact that the authors write themselves into the story as it comes to an end. Despite this creating some fragmentation, it was a creative idea and not at all what I was expecting.
This collaboration opens with an amazing chapter by Edward Lee, and then each chapter after is written by another godfather of horror. Some of these wonderful writers are still with us, such as Wrath and Harding, while others have since passed like Ketchum and Gonzales. I really enjoyed the story until a little more than halfway through, but then I began to feel as if the story was a bit disjointed. It didn't seem to possess the same cohesion it did in the earlier sections of the novel. I think this is mostly due to the fact that the authors write themselves into the story as it comes to an end. Despite this creating some fragmentation, it was a creative idea and not at all what I was expecting.
February 14, 2014
Nine well-known horror writers got together and collaborated on this round-robin style novel with all of the profits going to benefit Tom Piccirilli, who's battling cancer. It's a wonderful undertaking and a noble cause and I really wanted to like the book a lot, but I just couldn't. It seemed that one writer was trying to upstage the next at every twist and turn at how graphic and disgusting they could be. I can handle hard-core horror or sex or violence when it has a point or advances a story, but here it just swiftly became tiresome, bordering on boring. Rather than erotica or horror there was frequent degradation. The haunted house story that carries through most of the book is abandoned and never resolved when the authors write themselves into the story and end it. The meta approach here is amusing, but loose ends shouldn't be left hanging. There are some good bits and a few funny pieces and some nicely-crafted, clever scenes, but overall I felt let-down.
November 4, 2021
This was some sick, twisted shit! And believe me, I have read some perverse stuff but this trumps them all.
This book contains all sorts of WTF. And what the hell was with the ending?! Of course, I should have expected as much considering the author collaboration. This is another of those books that had me going, "What does this say about me?" Because as warped as this was, I liked it. I'm a fan of the stuff that gets me uncomfortable. While others may squirm in their seat, I'm more like the guy in the middle:
If you want a nice little depraved journey in horror, take this ride. Just come prepared with an open mind and a strong stomach.
June 13, 2016
I picked this up without really reading the blurb, just basing my choice on the names on the cover. I expected an anthology of short gory horror stories, what I got was a really interesting idea that was executed pretty well. I felt that it got a little lost towards the end but the writers involved had fun and I enjoyed it so what the hell, right?
One thing this book highlighted for me was the fact that I may have gotten a little desensitized to horror. There are a LOT of scenes in the book that are designed to cause a gross out reaction, I recognised them for what they were but they didn't affect me as deeply as they should have. Maybe because the book was written with a fun over horror feel or maybe I have finally slipped over the edge. Either way, I will be looking for more by these writers and will continue to thoroughly enjoy being disturbed by things I read.
One thing this book highlighted for me was the fact that I may have gotten a little desensitized to horror. There are a LOT of scenes in the book that are designed to cause a gross out reaction, I recognised them for what they were but they didn't affect me as deeply as they should have. Maybe because the book was written with a fun over horror feel or maybe I have finally slipped over the edge. Either way, I will be looking for more by these writers and will continue to thoroughly enjoy being disturbed by things I read.
December 29, 2013
I don't really know what to think of this story. A good chunk of it seemed like a competition to gross the other authors out or at the very least they seemed to try way too hard to gross out the reader. The gross stuff itself doesn't bother me, but the way they kept at it got tiring. The story was alright, but then the end just kind of fell apart. The authors writing themselves into the story was funny at first, but got old fast.
I have really liked the individual works of several of the authors involved with this story and I had expected a lot better with them all together. I'm sure they had a fun time writing it and I hate rating something like this that was made to help another out really low, but i can't honestly rate it higher than 2 stars.
I have really liked the individual works of several of the authors involved with this story and I had expected a lot better with them all together. I'm sure they had a fun time writing it and I hate rating something like this that was made to help another out really low, but i can't honestly rate it higher than 2 stars.
March 11, 2020
Sixty-Five Stirrup Iron Road is by far the most disgusting book I’ve ever read, it’s a collaboration between a handful of horror writers in what seems to be an attempt to outdo each other, see how far they can go and how repulsive they can be. The writing is actually very good, and it all works together well as this journey into degeneracy is made, I especially liked the unexpectedly meta ending!
There’s plenty of bodily fluids, gore, sex and shocking scenes in this book to keep even the most hardened fan of extreme horror entertained, if you’re in any way whatsoever squeamish, prudish or sensitive steer clear of this! I read a lot of horror and moments in this book grossed me out so only pick this up if you want to be outraged and appalled.
There’s plenty of bodily fluids, gore, sex and shocking scenes in this book to keep even the most hardened fan of extreme horror entertained, if you’re in any way whatsoever squeamish, prudish or sensitive steer clear of this! I read a lot of horror and moments in this book grossed me out so only pick this up if you want to be outraged and appalled.
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