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The Joe Hill: Heart-Shaped Box, 20th Century Ghosts, Horns, and NOS4A2
Get four bone-chilling novels of psychological and supernatural suspense from New York Times bestselling author Joe Hill in one e-book, Heart-Shaped Box, 20th Century Ghosts, Horns, and NOS4A2. Each publication of Hill is beautiful textured, deliciously scary, and greeted with the sort of overwhelming critical acclaim that is rare for works of skin-crawling supernatural terror. Read on if you dare to see what all the well-deserved hoopla is about.
Kindle Edition
First published August 12, 2014
669 people are currently reading
1052 people want to read
About the author
Joe Hill
505 books29.7k followersJoe Hill's debut, Heart-Shaped Box, won the Bram Stoker Award for Best First Novel. His second, Horns, was made into a film freakfest starring Daniel Radcliffe. His other novels include NOS4A2, and his #1 New York Times Best-Seller, The Fireman... which was also the winner of a 2016 Goodreads Choice Award for Best Horror Novel.
He writes short stories too. Some of them were gathered together in his prize-winning collection, 20th Century Ghosts.
He won the Eisner Award for Best Writer for his long running comic book series, Locke & Key, co-created with illustrator and art wizard Gabriel Rodriguez.
He lives in New Hampshire with a corgi named McMurtry after a certain beloved writer of cowboy tales. His next book, Strange Weather, a collection of novellas, storms into bookstores in October of 2017.
He writes short stories too. Some of them were gathered together in his prize-winning collection, 20th Century Ghosts.
He won the Eisner Award for Best Writer for his long running comic book series, Locke & Key, co-created with illustrator and art wizard Gabriel Rodriguez.
He lives in New Hampshire with a corgi named McMurtry after a certain beloved writer of cowboy tales. His next book, Strange Weather, a collection of novellas, storms into bookstores in October of 2017.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 31 reviews
August 5, 2014
I have read each of these books separately. I love, love Joe Hill. By far, Nos4R2 is my favourite. It was a world I had a difficult time leaving behind. The characters stayed with me, even if the world was pure fantasy, they were real and lived and breathed for me.
Joe is truly talented. That book took Joe Hill into the realm of the greats - yes, his father Stephen King, but Peter Straub and Neil Gaiman as well.
Joe is truly talented. That book took Joe Hill into the realm of the greats - yes, his father Stephen King, but Peter Straub and Neil Gaiman as well.
May 4, 2015
I picked up this book without knowing that he is Stephen King's son. He has is father's talent and then some! I love spooky tales where men and ghosts clash without Gods coming into the picture. Great book
February 1, 2016
This is a review of "Heart Shaped Box" a novel in its own right and reviewed elsewhere here. As I read the other novels in this four novel collection, I will append their reviews to this review.
Jude is a 50 year old plus retired metal musician whose music still is loved by the teen and pre-teen crowd. In turn, he loves them. A lot. And each one for a brief period of time. He seems to focus on those who have been hurt, perhaps by parents, perhaps by society in general. Eventually somewhere in the relationship the girls bore him. He sends them away, but he made a mistake with Anna (aka Florida). She killed herself and Sister Jessica blames Jude. She decides that there must be revenge; Jude must pay with his life. The instrument for vengeance will be the father of Anna and Jessie. But he is dead. No problem, Jessie will just send her father’s ghost to Jude; a wrathful father will, for revenge, take Jude’s life.
When the ghost first appears, Jude is with his latest girl, Marybeth (aka Georgia). She feels an imminent separation is coming, although she is still in love. She becomes an important ally of Jude’s in the fight with the ghost. Other important allies are grandma Bammy, a couple of dogs, and Jude’s comatose father. Father Craddock (the vengeful ghost) is not the only ghost popping in and out of the sensibilities of Jude and Georgia. There is also Anna, Craddock’s daughter who committed suicide. There is a lot of shifting realities between inhabitants of the dead and the living. The shifting is sometimes aided and sometimes inhibited by music.
This is a very fast moving story that demands reader attention. When there are so many strange and weird things happening at the same time, I tend to read faster. That is not something to do with this book. There are many important clues and seemingly off-hand comments that are not hidden in the story, but they seem to occur in the middle of fast action segments. It was easy for me to miss them and I found myself going back to make some connections. And then there is the humor which I found mostly in dialogues. It was quite, and well, understated and dry, or even droll. I frequently stopped just to appreciate some of the humor.
After finishing this book, I read the preview pages for other Joe Hill books. I was pleasantly surprised to see that they were not just clones of Heart Shaped Box. This led me to the author pages and more Joe Hill books. I recommend this for the genre “weird.”
Jude is a 50 year old plus retired metal musician whose music still is loved by the teen and pre-teen crowd. In turn, he loves them. A lot. And each one for a brief period of time. He seems to focus on those who have been hurt, perhaps by parents, perhaps by society in general. Eventually somewhere in the relationship the girls bore him. He sends them away, but he made a mistake with Anna (aka Florida). She killed herself and Sister Jessica blames Jude. She decides that there must be revenge; Jude must pay with his life. The instrument for vengeance will be the father of Anna and Jessie. But he is dead. No problem, Jessie will just send her father’s ghost to Jude; a wrathful father will, for revenge, take Jude’s life.
When the ghost first appears, Jude is with his latest girl, Marybeth (aka Georgia). She feels an imminent separation is coming, although she is still in love. She becomes an important ally of Jude’s in the fight with the ghost. Other important allies are grandma Bammy, a couple of dogs, and Jude’s comatose father. Father Craddock (the vengeful ghost) is not the only ghost popping in and out of the sensibilities of Jude and Georgia. There is also Anna, Craddock’s daughter who committed suicide. There is a lot of shifting realities between inhabitants of the dead and the living. The shifting is sometimes aided and sometimes inhibited by music.
This is a very fast moving story that demands reader attention. When there are so many strange and weird things happening at the same time, I tend to read faster. That is not something to do with this book. There are many important clues and seemingly off-hand comments that are not hidden in the story, but they seem to occur in the middle of fast action segments. It was easy for me to miss them and I found myself going back to make some connections. And then there is the humor which I found mostly in dialogues. It was quite, and well, understated and dry, or even droll. I frequently stopped just to appreciate some of the humor.
After finishing this book, I read the preview pages for other Joe Hill books. I was pleasantly surprised to see that they were not just clones of Heart Shaped Box. This led me to the author pages and more Joe Hill books. I recommend this for the genre “weird.”
April 15, 2020
I really enjoyed Heart-Shaped Box and I must remember to thank my local librarian for recommending it. The characters are very well-developed and the story flowed nicely. I appreciate how the characters start out mostly unlikely lol, but soon turn endearing.
Trigger Warning: This book does deal with child molestation. Take care if you have sensitivities.
This book has plenty of twists and turns. It's a wild, weird ride... enjoy!
Trigger Warning: This book does deal with child molestation. Take care if you have sensitivities.
This book has plenty of twists and turns. It's a wild, weird ride... enjoy!
October 18, 2022
I'm a big fan of Joe Hill. These books are creative, modern horror. I have reread all of the these books, multiple times.
There's a certain amount of dark humor in Horns, which is surprising given the difficult and disturbing details of plot points.
NOS4A2 is an ambitious story, that carefully and successfully navigates jumping from multiple settings, characters, and time frames. And it works. wonderfully so.
There's a certain amount of dark humor in Horns, which is surprising given the difficult and disturbing details of plot points.
NOS4A2 is an ambitious story, that carefully and successfully navigates jumping from multiple settings, characters, and time frames. And it works. wonderfully so.
May 31, 2019
Fantastic storyteller!
I do believe I have found a new favorite author!! I loved all of these stories but my absolute favorite was Heart-Shaped Box. I’m excited to see his future works while I devour all of the ones that are currently available.
I do believe I have found a new favorite author!! I loved all of these stories but my absolute favorite was Heart-Shaped Box. I’m excited to see his future works while I devour all of the ones that are currently available.
March 31, 2020
Creepily good, loved the heart shaped box, JUDAS IS A COLLECTOR OF WEIRD OBJECTS. He wants a dead mans suit which has a ghost, who has a bought ghost? The book unravels from therestrage things begin to happen very chilling. Enjoy
August 9, 2025
This guy happens to be the son of Stephen King. Et il a hérité de son père un sacré talent narratif. De ce recueil, je crois n'avoir lu que Nos4A2, mais roman incroyable. Horns, je l'ai vu en film (tourné par ce français qui fait des films aux US - genre piranha 3D). Excellent aussi
June 12, 2020
This was a very unpredictable and interesting read. I enjoyed it.
July 17, 2020
Brilliant, compelling, never banal and divinely written. Joe is my absolute favorite contemporary author
November 12, 2020
I had a hard time getting into this book and the story line was just ok.
September 15, 2022
Horns 5/5
NOS4A2 5/5
Heart Shaped Box 4/5
20th century ghosts 3/5 (as a short story collection it was quite this mixed bag loved a few, was bored by a few)
NOS4A2 5/5
Heart Shaped Box 4/5
20th century ghosts 3/5 (as a short story collection it was quite this mixed bag loved a few, was bored by a few)
Want to read
April 8, 2023to-read
May 23, 2023
Read this book! Four stories guaranteed to keep your interest.
September 25, 2024
Joe Hill is definitely one of my fav authors and never disappoints, loved this unusual, scary and twisted story of his, excellent read.
October 24, 2024
This was an interestingly written book. A little hard to get into and follow at times.
October 26, 2024
Definitely Stephen King's son .
January 7, 2025
Reminded me of point horror but for adults. Always atmospheric and odd and trad horror
September 3, 2024
Wasn't a fan of 20th century ghosts, but the others are good.
August 22, 2024
I had read this book several years ago and quite honestly I did not remember reading it until I was involved in the book. It is a good book with many twists and turns as is expected.
May 9, 2015
A New Author Added to Favorites
I have added Joe Hill into my favorite authors. Being a long time Stephen King fan, I decided to see if his son could sling verse in the same fashion as dad. I haven't yet been disappointed. I will add that I have only read 3 out of the 4 books in this collection. I have yet to read Horns. But will attend to that after I finish SK's Revival that I just got my hands on. I started with Joe's 20 Century Ghosts to see if he could do a short story justice. As I read each one, I got very excited. This guy can really write! I really enjoyed Pop Art and re-read it twice. Let's just say he has short stories down pat. Next I read Heart Shaped Box. This was the book first recommended to me after I first found out about Joe Hill. I start the story and just couldn't put it down. The main character Jude, has something about him that makes you want to go on this ride with him, really draws you in. The story flows well and had me on edge time and time again. Now to NOS4A2. Just when I was sure that Heart Shaped Box was my favorite, this story about Vic McQueen and Charlie Manx comes along. And what a ride it was! If you came to Joe Hill's writing via being a long time Constant Reader, then NOS4A2 will thrill you to no end. I LOVED THIS BOOK! I fell in love with The Brat. Manx, Bing and kids creeped me the fuck out. Maggie and Lou are characters that will break your heart. I could not put this book down. I had the audio version of it from the library and listened to it while driving to/from work, at work I listened and as soon as I got home I had the ebook in hand, devouring it. From beginning to end, it was utterly delightful and exquisitely dark and twisted. What more can you want? I'm excited to read Horns next. I'm so glad I decided to read Joe Hill's work. I don't doubt you will be too.
I have added Joe Hill into my favorite authors. Being a long time Stephen King fan, I decided to see if his son could sling verse in the same fashion as dad. I haven't yet been disappointed. I will add that I have only read 3 out of the 4 books in this collection. I have yet to read Horns. But will attend to that after I finish SK's Revival that I just got my hands on. I started with Joe's 20 Century Ghosts to see if he could do a short story justice. As I read each one, I got very excited. This guy can really write! I really enjoyed Pop Art and re-read it twice. Let's just say he has short stories down pat. Next I read Heart Shaped Box. This was the book first recommended to me after I first found out about Joe Hill. I start the story and just couldn't put it down. The main character Jude, has something about him that makes you want to go on this ride with him, really draws you in. The story flows well and had me on edge time and time again. Now to NOS4A2. Just when I was sure that Heart Shaped Box was my favorite, this story about Vic McQueen and Charlie Manx comes along. And what a ride it was! If you came to Joe Hill's writing via being a long time Constant Reader, then NOS4A2 will thrill you to no end. I LOVED THIS BOOK! I fell in love with The Brat. Manx, Bing and kids creeped me the fuck out. Maggie and Lou are characters that will break your heart. I could not put this book down. I had the audio version of it from the library and listened to it while driving to/from work, at work I listened and as soon as I got home I had the ebook in hand, devouring it. From beginning to end, it was utterly delightful and exquisitely dark and twisted. What more can you want? I'm excited to read Horns next. I'm so glad I decided to read Joe Hill's work. I don't doubt you will be too.
January 2, 2025
Joe Hill is, of course, Stephen King's son....and he seriously inherited some style and substance from his dad. He's not quite as subtle and good at timeline yet, but his stories are delightfully twisted.
June 19, 2024
I always regret giving up on a book, something I only very rarely do. However, I gave up after 25% of Heart Shaped Box.
I disliked Joe Hill's style of writing and I disliked the story. It's as simple as that.
I disliked Joe Hill's style of writing and I disliked the story. It's as simple as that.
August 18, 2014
This book was very good and scary. I kept wondering how it could resolve and how it could end. Very intriguing and interesting. Could not put it down.
Read
May 8, 2015Joe Hill is a wonderful writter. As good as his father. I hate to compare. But knowing who his father is , how can I be blamed. I have added him to my list of favorites.
April 20, 2015
A pretty good ghost story. My only complaint is the author's stereotypical view of the South. Other than that, I enjoyed the book.
June 21, 2015
Good stories
Want to read
January 3, 2020Saw the Horns Movie and wanted to read the book (heart-shaped box I have already read, nos and ghosts do not really interest me, but where nice to have, 4 books for the price of one).
Displaying 1 - 30 of 31 reviews