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Tricycle
Don't you dare play with Simon's mommy. Cross your heart and hope to die.
The boys at Talbot Academy called him Simple Simon. The weird little kid on the tricycle. The faculty brat with the strange eyes.
But they liked Simon's mother. She taunted them, seduced them, amused herself with their taut young bodies. Such beautiful boys. Three of them killed in such freak, tragic accidents.
Little Simon hated them. Just like he hated the new teacher. Handsome, brilliant blind Christopher. He'd better leave Mommy alone. Or he would have to be punished. Punished in a sightless nightmare. Punished by a vengeful demon. Punished by the last sound his dying brain would know—the squeak, squeak, squeak of a TRICYCLE.
The boys at Talbot Academy called him Simple Simon. The weird little kid on the tricycle. The faculty brat with the strange eyes.
But they liked Simon's mother. She taunted them, seduced them, amused herself with their taut young bodies. Such beautiful boys. Three of them killed in such freak, tragic accidents.
Little Simon hated them. Just like he hated the new teacher. Handsome, brilliant blind Christopher. He'd better leave Mommy alone. Or he would have to be punished. Punished in a sightless nightmare. Punished by a vengeful demon. Punished by the last sound his dying brain would know—the squeak, squeak, squeak of a TRICYCLE.
254 pages, Mass Market Paperback
First published January 1, 1983
2 people are currently reading
248 people want to read
About the author
Russell Rhodes
6 books2 followersRussell Rhodes was born on October 27, 1931 in Derby, Connecticut. He graduated from Loomis School and Yale University and earned an MBA from Harvard Business School. After business school, Mr. Rhodes joined Procter and Gamble in Cincinnati in its marketing department before embarking on a career in the advertising agency world. He spent a decade in England and France with the Norman, Craig & Kummel agency and Ogilvy & Mather. He subsequently moved to New York with Ogilvy & Mather where he held senior positions on such accounts as American Express, Avon and Cotton Inc. During this period he found time to write five novels of the spy/thriller genre, among which were "The Herod Conspiracy" and "The Styx Complex." He died of natural causes in December 2010 in New York City.
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Displaying 1 - 25 of 25 reviews
October 9, 2022
Holy Moly, probably one of the eeriest cover ever. And the novel? Talbot Academy for boys, Christopher, a blind teacher, a creepy kid named Simon cruising around on his little red tricycle, Karen Catterby, beautiful sexy wife of Arthur, the head of the English department... those are the main ingredients. Why are deadly accidents quite often among some good looking older boys at school? Is Karen really screwing around with every attractive young boy? What is Simon's role? Christopher is drawn into a net of promiscuity and Karen's shady past. Will he survive? Fast paced action with eerie motifs (the squeaking red tricycle, always reminded me on IT) and the hell of a showdown. Pulp horror at its very best with a great 80s ending. Read like listening to a hard rock record. Really enjoyed this one and can highly recommend it.
February 11, 2024
This got off to an exceptional start but quickly became almost unreadable. The middle dragged like crazy and the ending was so laughable and ridiculous. The story is about a blind guy at a boarding school, a promiscuous wife, and a spooky kid on a tricycle (as the title suggests). If you have absolutely nothing better to do and go in with low expectations you may want to give this a shot, otherwise avoid. This isn't even really a horror book at all. The first seven or eight chapters save this from being a total waste of time, so this gets 2 stars from me as opposed to a 1/5.
February 28, 2023
More like 2.5 or maybe less but I’ll round up for that all-time Lisa Falkenstern cover art! More a suspense thriller than horror novel. Author Rhodes worked in advertising so it’s obvious the “horror” part is all marketing. Better than I expected but then I expected so little. I thought the climax was well done, and I enjoy reading about bitchy academic cocktail parties. But this is *not* alas a creepy kid classic. Proceed at own risk. Read more in my full review:
http://toomuchhorrorfiction.blogspot....
http://toomuchhorrorfiction.blogspot....
July 28, 2010
Yes, the title is ridiculous, and yes, the cover looks like a parody issue of "Cracked" magazine. But, really, this 1983 suspense/horror novel is not that bad. Nor is it that good; it's basically a derivative, downmarket version of the Dean Koontz/John Saul "punish the sinners" gothic horror novels that were hugely popular in the 1970s and '80s.
The story: Christopher Hennick, a young and handsome literature teacher, arrives at Talbot Academy in Connecticut amidst much turmoil. He's still coming to grips with losing his sight in a car wreck months before. His relationship with his college girlfriend is on the rocks. And he arrives on campus in the wake of the tragic — and presumably accidental — deaths of two male students who just happen to look like him. He quickly finds reason to suspect — and be drawn to — the Catterby family: Seemingly oblivious teacher Arthur, bored sexpot Karen and creepy, intrusive five-year-old Simon, who seems to trail Christopher everywhere he goes on his squeaky tricycle. A flood that cuts off the campus from the rest of civilization sets into motion a deadly series of events that bring the blind teacher face to face with a remorseless killer.
The ambitions of "Tricycle" aren't high, but it fulfills them and then some. The story is well-structured and well-paced, and the characters are well-developed. The book even sneaks a little highbrow fare in its love of literature, with warm references to Shakespeare, Milton, Hemingway, Dickens and a number of Greek playwrights.
The final act, while over the top, is skillfully drawn. (You will probably cringe, however, at the climactic moment, in which one character screams "Satan's whore!" and drags another down to both their deaths.)
If you're bored one night and prefer a little creepy diversionary fare, you could do a lot worse than "Tricycle." You could also do a lot better.
The story: Christopher Hennick, a young and handsome literature teacher, arrives at Talbot Academy in Connecticut amidst much turmoil. He's still coming to grips with losing his sight in a car wreck months before. His relationship with his college girlfriend is on the rocks. And he arrives on campus in the wake of the tragic — and presumably accidental — deaths of two male students who just happen to look like him. He quickly finds reason to suspect — and be drawn to — the Catterby family: Seemingly oblivious teacher Arthur, bored sexpot Karen and creepy, intrusive five-year-old Simon, who seems to trail Christopher everywhere he goes on his squeaky tricycle. A flood that cuts off the campus from the rest of civilization sets into motion a deadly series of events that bring the blind teacher face to face with a remorseless killer.
The ambitions of "Tricycle" aren't high, but it fulfills them and then some. The story is well-structured and well-paced, and the characters are well-developed. The book even sneaks a little highbrow fare in its love of literature, with warm references to Shakespeare, Milton, Hemingway, Dickens and a number of Greek playwrights.
The final act, while over the top, is skillfully drawn. (You will probably cringe, however, at the climactic moment, in which one character screams "Satan's whore!" and drags another down to both their deaths.)
If you're bored one night and prefer a little creepy diversionary fare, you could do a lot worse than "Tricycle." You could also do a lot better.
October 13, 2021
Watch out for little 5 year old 'Simple Simon', oh and by the way; you will hear his squeaky 'Tricycle' before you see him or hear the screams!
First off, I want to thank my good friend Larry Yonce for gifting me a beautiful first edition copy of this hard to find book, so "Thanks again; Larry"! And then you have to remember that this book was written in 1983, then it will put you in a better mood for this creepy little killer kid book! I loved it! And it was only 254 pages, so you do not get bored, at least I didn't.
Talbot Academy for Boys. It is operated by a grey haired headmaster that seems like he has been there forever, but the question is what the hell is causing these boys to die? And I mean die in the most gruesome ways......who is the pyromaniac and psycho? Forget Billy from the 'Saw' franchise, on his larger than life trike/bike, you need to watch out for Simon on his 'Tricycle'. And once you hear the squeak, squeak, squeak of the rusty wheels, it is too late.....you're DEAD!
This book hooked me in with the first chapter.....and I had a lot of fun with it. Now, it is not the most gory of creepy kid stories, but the scenes of murder, death and gore are done so well, they will stay with me for a long long time. Now I have never thought of ever burning alive, or even being afraid of this way of death, but when I read about these young, virile and sex starved young academy students, and they way they died, it made me think twice, it would be worse than having to drown and take your last breath under water! We meet Christopher Hennick, handsome, muscular, with looks of a Greek god, and he is also blind from an accident a few years back. Once a graduating student from Talbot, he is welcomed back to teach English at the prestigious academy, does he regret taking the position? His seeing eye dog is named Milton, and as they always say a dog is 'Mans Best Friend' it proves to be true in this horrific little tale. Now, the only major complaint I had with this book, is on the back of the Pocket Paperback Original, it states that maybe a demon is somehow connected to little Simon, there was not any devilish demons in this books anywhere, however there 'Are Snakes!!!' I had a lot riding around following little Simon, and actually looking forward to who was going to die next!
4 🩸🩸🩸🩸
First off, I want to thank my good friend Larry Yonce for gifting me a beautiful first edition copy of this hard to find book, so "Thanks again; Larry"! And then you have to remember that this book was written in 1983, then it will put you in a better mood for this creepy little killer kid book! I loved it! And it was only 254 pages, so you do not get bored, at least I didn't.
Talbot Academy for Boys. It is operated by a grey haired headmaster that seems like he has been there forever, but the question is what the hell is causing these boys to die? And I mean die in the most gruesome ways......who is the pyromaniac and psycho? Forget Billy from the 'Saw' franchise, on his larger than life trike/bike, you need to watch out for Simon on his 'Tricycle'. And once you hear the squeak, squeak, squeak of the rusty wheels, it is too late.....you're DEAD!
This book hooked me in with the first chapter.....and I had a lot of fun with it. Now, it is not the most gory of creepy kid stories, but the scenes of murder, death and gore are done so well, they will stay with me for a long long time. Now I have never thought of ever burning alive, or even being afraid of this way of death, but when I read about these young, virile and sex starved young academy students, and they way they died, it made me think twice, it would be worse than having to drown and take your last breath under water! We meet Christopher Hennick, handsome, muscular, with looks of a Greek god, and he is also blind from an accident a few years back. Once a graduating student from Talbot, he is welcomed back to teach English at the prestigious academy, does he regret taking the position? His seeing eye dog is named Milton, and as they always say a dog is 'Mans Best Friend' it proves to be true in this horrific little tale. Now, the only major complaint I had with this book, is on the back of the Pocket Paperback Original, it states that maybe a demon is somehow connected to little Simon, there was not any devilish demons in this books anywhere, however there 'Are Snakes!!!' I had a lot riding around following little Simon, and actually looking forward to who was going to die next!
4 🩸🩸🩸🩸
February 17, 2017
One star for how hysterically I laughed at the ending.
May 7, 2017
WASP problems.
September 24, 2022
Students are dying at Talbot Academy, apparently due to horrible accidents. Is it a coincidence that they have all been involved with the English head’s beautiful wife? Or that the mysterious squeaking of tricycle wheels can be heard nearby? New teacher Christopher Hennick, still learning to cope with his recent blindness, had better figure it out, because sexy Karen has her eyes set on him…and the tricycle is circling. I was surprised by how much I ended up liking this book, despite the fact that it doesn’t deliver on the promise of that crazy cover (but now could it?) It’s a slow burn, but well constructed with some good characters. I had the twist ending figured out to some extent, but it took a turn that ended up surprising me. I might go so far as to call this a hidden gem.
https://thericochetreviewer.blogspot.com
https://thericochetreviewer.blogspot.com
December 2, 2021
Blind man vs. 5 year old boy with a rusty tricycle is our plot in a nutshell. It's obvious that horror is not this authors medium. This comes off more of a Peyton's Place. It's set in a upper class academy. With a philandering wife who seduces the students. The tricycling kid with an axe to grind. The young , blind first year teacher who tries to come to grips with his handicap. Not to say it's all dull. There is bursts of mayhem to keep you tuned in. Like others have said, you could see the ending coming from miles away.
June 5, 2025
So here’s the thing about Tricycle—it sounds cool on paper. A creepy kid on a tricycle? That should be instant nightmare fuel. Except instead of getting the unsettling, pulse-pounding ride you’d expect from 80s pulp horror, we’re stuck with a book that’s more interested in poorly catered school functions and the personal drama of people I’d actively cross the street to avoid.
Let’s talk about the “horror,” or rather, the gaping hole where the horror should be. The titular tricycle barely gets any screen time, and when it does, it’s usually just squeaking ominously in the background like a Walmart-brand The Shining. There’s almost zero suspense, the pacing drags like a broken wheel, and you spend the majority of the story slogging through teacher gossip, marital problems, and side plots that feel like filler episodes from a show no one remembers.
Christopher, our blind protagonist, is a walking misery parade. Sympathy? Gone by chapter three. His constant self-loathing and inexplicable decision-making skills made him more frustrating than compelling. I kept hoping he’d snap out of it and do something useful, but nope—just more inner turmoil and emotional flailing. Then there’s Karen, who I can only describe as the embodiment of a steamy paperback stereotype. Her entire character arc is "desperately horny and vaguely dissatisfied,” which might’ve been scandalous in 1986 but is mostly just cringey now. And of course, Stephen—the “creepy” child riding the mysterious tricycle—who ends up being… something else entirely, in a twist that lands with all the grace of a flat tire.
By the time we finally get to the climax (if you can even call it that), the story fizzles out like a firecracker soaked in cold tea. The ending is rushed, unsatisfying, and utterly fails to justify the buildup—or lack thereof. You keep waiting for everything to snap into place, for all the eerie little pieces to form something sinister, but instead you just get a vague “what was even the point of that?” sensation.
Now, I’ll be generous: this isn’t the absolute bottom of the 80s horror barrel. Compared to some of the truly insane and poorly written garbage that got printed during the Paperbacks from Hell boom, Tricycle is at least readable. But that’s not exactly high praise. It’s like being the least moldy sandwich in a gas station fridge.
Bottom line: Tricycle wastes its cool concept on a cast of unlikable people doing boring things while a squeaky toy rolls around being mildly unsettling. If you’re looking for retro horror that’s weird, wild, and worth your time—there are far better (and bloodier) books on the shelf. This one just wobbles in circles until it collapses.
Let’s talk about the “horror,” or rather, the gaping hole where the horror should be. The titular tricycle barely gets any screen time, and when it does, it’s usually just squeaking ominously in the background like a Walmart-brand The Shining. There’s almost zero suspense, the pacing drags like a broken wheel, and you spend the majority of the story slogging through teacher gossip, marital problems, and side plots that feel like filler episodes from a show no one remembers.
Christopher, our blind protagonist, is a walking misery parade. Sympathy? Gone by chapter three. His constant self-loathing and inexplicable decision-making skills made him more frustrating than compelling. I kept hoping he’d snap out of it and do something useful, but nope—just more inner turmoil and emotional flailing. Then there’s Karen, who I can only describe as the embodiment of a steamy paperback stereotype. Her entire character arc is "desperately horny and vaguely dissatisfied,” which might’ve been scandalous in 1986 but is mostly just cringey now. And of course, Stephen—the “creepy” child riding the mysterious tricycle—who ends up being… something else entirely, in a twist that lands with all the grace of a flat tire.
By the time we finally get to the climax (if you can even call it that), the story fizzles out like a firecracker soaked in cold tea. The ending is rushed, unsatisfying, and utterly fails to justify the buildup—or lack thereof. You keep waiting for everything to snap into place, for all the eerie little pieces to form something sinister, but instead you just get a vague “what was even the point of that?” sensation.
Now, I’ll be generous: this isn’t the absolute bottom of the 80s horror barrel. Compared to some of the truly insane and poorly written garbage that got printed during the Paperbacks from Hell boom, Tricycle is at least readable. But that’s not exactly high praise. It’s like being the least moldy sandwich in a gas station fridge.
Bottom line: Tricycle wastes its cool concept on a cast of unlikable people doing boring things while a squeaky toy rolls around being mildly unsettling. If you’re looking for retro horror that’s weird, wild, and worth your time—there are far better (and bloodier) books on the shelf. This one just wobbles in circles until it collapses.
December 13, 2024
Move over VC Andrews!
January 8, 2012
Add a blind (after an accident) protagonist who came back to Talbot Academy for boys to teach, who was the the star athlete/student when he was there. Add in the little boy who rides around the campus on his trike,that doesn't talk to anyone,and everyone think he's creepy. where his father is head of the English dept. With his mom, who likes to seduce the young students, and are dying from accidents afterward....and you have the ingredients of a pretty good '80's thriller/suspense novel. Bought it because of the wonderful '80's cover art. This is my copy, http://www.fantasticfiction.co.uk/boo...
April 5, 2019
Overall a fun old read. Kind of fun to see things from the blinds point of view (at least a little bit). Sort of misleading though, with the cover and all. I was expecting some sort of supernatural, but nope, just plain old murder. And maybe I am jaded but seems like some of the people were pretty blind (haha) to what was going on. The twist was not surprising at all. Still well written, fun little story.
March 1, 2016
So, this book was another used bookstore find from Salt Lake City. The silly cover and tag line drew me in instantly. This books suffers from those; however, because it is much better than the cover or the tag. It was a rather enjoyable read with a few well developed characters. The female characters definitely could have used some more development. But, it had some nice emotional moments, and an intense ending that kept building. Recommended.
Re: the cover. I loved these covers from the 70s/80s where one character was skeleton. Maybe the mom in a family portrait, or as here a kid on a tricycle. A hoot.
Also a few trigger warnings: There is a rape scene. Also, there are some sexual taboos/illegal, sex with minors among those.
Re: the cover. I loved these covers from the 70s/80s where one character was skeleton. Maybe the mom in a family portrait, or as here a kid on a tricycle. A hoot.
Also a few trigger warnings: There is a rape scene. Also, there are some sexual taboos/illegal, sex with minors among those.
October 16, 2021
This was the worst thing I ever read. Took too long to finish, it took almost one month or so on; I don't know. Judging by the cover I was drowned to this and later regretted it. Totally bogus...
Like I said of course it was a promising start at the beginning but after couple of chapter it was so irritating that I could not make myself read of this book. Releasing no spoiler I must say a boy with his tricycle making move himself to destroy something having evil in his mind was quite something to read. Enough to keep entertain yourself. Unfortunately it was not for me, I just couldn't count myself in or indulge myself to the book. Obviously it took too long to finish but it was a huge relief for me when finally I made it to the end. For now enough is enough. Should have check better before reading. Wasted my times and for that 1 from me out of 5...
Like I said of course it was a promising start at the beginning but after couple of chapter it was so irritating that I could not make myself read of this book. Releasing no spoiler I must say a boy with his tricycle making move himself to destroy something having evil in his mind was quite something to read. Enough to keep entertain yourself. Unfortunately it was not for me, I just couldn't count myself in or indulge myself to the book. Obviously it took too long to finish but it was a huge relief for me when finally I made it to the end. For now enough is enough. Should have check better before reading. Wasted my times and for that 1 from me out of 5...
February 14, 2021
When I first started the book, (especially after the description on the back) my eyes rolled and I laughed out loud at how obvious and ridiculous it would be. However, the focus changed, characters became a little more real and less of charicatures, and I really enjoyed it! There were quite a few “um, what?” moments in regards to reactions etc, but all is forgiven due to the overall enjoyment of the story.
Great cover and fun horror read!
Great cover and fun horror read!
September 15, 2020
Perfectly competent b movie level book with a few attempts at scares, an ok setting, and a so-called twist so telegraphed that you could almost be lured into thinking the twist would be that the obvious twist wasn’t the twist he was going to use. But alas, this book is too average to do anything crazy like that. Ok but unspectacular. Great cover though!
August 26, 2023
So this is one of those books that you have to just go into with an open mind and have fun with. Knowing that it’s going to be a bit dramatic, but actually a good storyline! I actually thought that Rhodes did a really good job of writing. I would read more of this books. The ending wasn’t the greatest and I found myself wanting a couple of loose strings tied but overall, I really enjoyed it!
January 30, 2022
Quite a good read with a neat but not too difficult to spot twist
April 18, 2024
The end!!! The end!
December 25, 2021
I picked up Tricycle by Russell Rhodes because of the book being featured in Paperbacks from Hell and because of Richard over on YouTube (Nightmares, Tears, Anyone?). This book was excellent! Story was fast paced and very entertaining. Overall I really enjoyed this book and highly recommend it if your into vintage horror.
December 18, 2020
A creepy 5 year old and his squeaky tricycle, an unfaithful mother and wife, her aloof husband and a blind teacher who all come together and people will burn and die.
October 7, 2023
Sinister goings-on at Talbot Academy!
Entertaining mystery/suspense novel with horror elements. Author and publisher alike have bent over backward to conceal the "trick" ending...but despite some dropped plot points and loose ends, it is a fun, fast, and (sometimes) scary little time passer. The boarding school setting is used to good effect.
Entertaining mystery/suspense novel with horror elements. Author and publisher alike have bent over backward to conceal the "trick" ending...but despite some dropped plot points and loose ends, it is a fun, fast, and (sometimes) scary little time passer. The boarding school setting is used to good effect.
June 24, 2024
Actually 3.5 stars rounded off to 4. This book can only be classified as pulp, but it's good pulp, entertaining and keeps you guessing and on the edge of your seat. I've read better thrillers, but I've also read thrillers that were a hell of a lot worse. Entertaining read, worth reading once.
August 24, 2010
Not a bad book if you are just after a book which does not require thinking.
Displaying 1 - 25 of 25 reviews