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Pay Phone: Revised Edition
On a crowded street corner, the ring of a pay phone cuts through the icy winds. A figure appears in a third-story window across the way. Vigilant, he watches with the focused eyes of a savage hunter. Patient, he waits with the resolve of a bloodthirsty predator. A cordless phone’s handset pressed to his ear...
And a bloodstained hacksaw clenched in his free hand.
From the author of OPEN WOUNDS and THE FINAL GIRL comes a horrifying journey through the mind of a ruthless killer. Called “Disturbing, bloody, and vicious” by Dread Central and “Truly terrifying” by Bloodtype Online, you’ll read with trembling hands, bated breath, and a racing heart.
This newly revised edition of PAY PHONE contains previously unpublished material, including a brand new introduction by the author.
And a bloodstained hacksaw clenched in his free hand.
From the author of OPEN WOUNDS and THE FINAL GIRL comes a horrifying journey through the mind of a ruthless killer. Called “Disturbing, bloody, and vicious” by Dread Central and “Truly terrifying” by Bloodtype Online, you’ll read with trembling hands, bated breath, and a racing heart.
This newly revised edition of PAY PHONE contains previously unpublished material, including a brand new introduction by the author.
310 pages, Kindle Edition
Published November 20, 2015
3 people are currently reading
9 people want to read
About the author
Brandon Ford
39 books38 followersBrandon Ford (b. August 28, 1981) grew up in South Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. He started writing at the approximate age of 8 and spent a lot of time testing the waters with various genres. He wrote dramas, comedies, essays, plays, and, of course, thrillers. There were few things he took pleasure in crafting more than a good old-fashioned scary story. Throughout grade school, as well as high school, he continued to build his portfolio with various works (mostly short stories and novellas, but a few plays here and there). He’d pass around these manuscripts to friends and teachers for feedback. Knowing others enjoyed his work and craved more inspired him to keep going.
A few months shy of 23, he sat down to pen his first novel, which became Crystal Bay. Arctic Wolf Publishing, a small press based in Georgia, picked the book up a few years later. Shortly thereafter, he completed Splattered Beauty, an ode to his favorite Scream Queens. In 2009, he teamed up with Alan Draven and Jessica Lynne Gardner for Creeping Shadows (Pixie Dust Press), a collection of three short novels. Ford’s contribution, Merciless, was heavily inspired by a real-life kidnapping that took place in California in 2002. In March 2010, Arctic Wolf released his third novel, Pay Phone. Ford has also contributed works of short fiction to several anthologies, including Abaculus 2007 and Abaculus III (Leucrota Press), Sinister Landscapes (Pixie Dust Press), Raw: Brutality As Art (Snuff Books), and The Death Panel (Comet Press). Some of his biggest influences have been writers like Jack Ketchum and the late Richard Laymon. In his spare time he enjoys reading, watching bad TV, and all things horror. He still resides in South Philadelphia.
A few months shy of 23, he sat down to pen his first novel, which became Crystal Bay. Arctic Wolf Publishing, a small press based in Georgia, picked the book up a few years later. Shortly thereafter, he completed Splattered Beauty, an ode to his favorite Scream Queens. In 2009, he teamed up with Alan Draven and Jessica Lynne Gardner for Creeping Shadows (Pixie Dust Press), a collection of three short novels. Ford’s contribution, Merciless, was heavily inspired by a real-life kidnapping that took place in California in 2002. In March 2010, Arctic Wolf released his third novel, Pay Phone. Ford has also contributed works of short fiction to several anthologies, including Abaculus 2007 and Abaculus III (Leucrota Press), Sinister Landscapes (Pixie Dust Press), Raw: Brutality As Art (Snuff Books), and The Death Panel (Comet Press). Some of his biggest influences have been writers like Jack Ketchum and the late Richard Laymon. In his spare time he enjoys reading, watching bad TV, and all things horror. He still resides in South Philadelphia.
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Displaying 1 - 4 of 4 reviews
June 21, 2020
So this story gives a whole new meaning to the phrase “stranger danger.”
Before the dawn of the internet, serial killers had to use different methods of luring in their victims. For Jake, this means dialing the pay phone across the street and luring a lonely victim to their demise. For the most part, people are too smart to fall for the bait. Occasionally though, he gets a bite. When someone by the name of Chelsea answers and turns down his lure, he’s intrigued by her. And so is the voice in his head.
Jake was a solid villain. It’s easy to write a slasher with pointless gore, but this story was different because Jake has a reason for doing what he does. At first, it isn’t very clear what that motive is. Just as it’s unclear who Susan is. As the story goes on though, we’re shown more and more of Jake’s backstory, almost to the point where it could’ve been easy to feel sorry for him.
Chelsea was someone I could relate to. Always struggling to get close to those around her but never quite feeling as if she matters. It’s that drive that causes her to answer the call. The call that will see to it that all her nightmares come true.
As Jake spirals into the depths of his own insanity, the body count rises, and no one is safe. Bloody, disturbing, and violent. Once I started listening, I couldn’t stop. I finished the book in one setting. Perfect for all fans of classic horror.
Narration was perfect.
This book was given to me for free at my request and I provided this voluntary review.
Before the dawn of the internet, serial killers had to use different methods of luring in their victims. For Jake, this means dialing the pay phone across the street and luring a lonely victim to their demise. For the most part, people are too smart to fall for the bait. Occasionally though, he gets a bite. When someone by the name of Chelsea answers and turns down his lure, he’s intrigued by her. And so is the voice in his head.
Jake was a solid villain. It’s easy to write a slasher with pointless gore, but this story was different because Jake has a reason for doing what he does. At first, it isn’t very clear what that motive is. Just as it’s unclear who Susan is. As the story goes on though, we’re shown more and more of Jake’s backstory, almost to the point where it could’ve been easy to feel sorry for him.
Chelsea was someone I could relate to. Always struggling to get close to those around her but never quite feeling as if she matters. It’s that drive that causes her to answer the call. The call that will see to it that all her nightmares come true.
As Jake spirals into the depths of his own insanity, the body count rises, and no one is safe. Bloody, disturbing, and violent. Once I started listening, I couldn’t stop. I finished the book in one setting. Perfect for all fans of classic horror.
Narration was perfect.
This book was given to me for free at my request and I provided this voluntary review.
May 22, 2023
definitely creepy, few times I had to take a break, was disturbing, exactly what to expect from a Brandon Ford story
June 26, 2016
Bring bring
Don't answer the phone, no matter what!
This was my first Brandon Ford book, and it won't be my last. This book was heart pounding, edge of your seat suspense, and by the ending, heartbreaking. Full of murder and mayhem. A truly unique story, brilliant, Spookishly delicious.
A MUST read!!
Don't answer the phone, no matter what!
This was my first Brandon Ford book, and it won't be my last. This book was heart pounding, edge of your seat suspense, and by the ending, heartbreaking. Full of murder and mayhem. A truly unique story, brilliant, Spookishly delicious.
A MUST read!!
October 31, 2016
Meh. In spite of this being a revised edition there are still several typos. The cause and effect between the guy's current nutso behavior and his sordid past wasn't really established enough in my opinion, I had a hard time understanding how *SPOILER ALERT*
an incestuous relationship with a sister leads to a necrophilia obsession, but maybe that's just me.
an incestuous relationship with a sister leads to a necrophilia obsession, but maybe that's just me.
Displaying 1 - 4 of 4 reviews