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Sicko
Sick·o - /ˈsikō/- noun informal: A mentally ill or perverted person, especially one who is sadistic.
In this novella, Spencer, a college student tries to get back home to see his mother in Wyoming one last time before the growing cancer takes her. A record-breaking storm grounds all transportation out of Boston and he’s left hoping and praying for a miracle. A kind stranger, Jethro, offers him a ride. Is this odd young man a miracle too good to be true?
Jethro slowly peels back his mask of odd, but kind stranger, revealing the horror of the true sicko beneath. Spencer comes to realize he’s now fighting, not just to see his mother before she’s gone, but for his life. Will Spencer become just another tale of warning to never accept rides with strangers?
This story offers more than just the soft kiss of fright or shiver up the spine, it will plunge you into a labyrinth of pure terror in which only the ruthless and perverse sicko has control.
A psychopath is born every forty-seven seconds, you’re bound to run into one.
In this novella, Spencer, a college student tries to get back home to see his mother in Wyoming one last time before the growing cancer takes her. A record-breaking storm grounds all transportation out of Boston and he’s left hoping and praying for a miracle. A kind stranger, Jethro, offers him a ride. Is this odd young man a miracle too good to be true?
Jethro slowly peels back his mask of odd, but kind stranger, revealing the horror of the true sicko beneath. Spencer comes to realize he’s now fighting, not just to see his mother before she’s gone, but for his life. Will Spencer become just another tale of warning to never accept rides with strangers?
This story offers more than just the soft kiss of fright or shiver up the spine, it will plunge you into a labyrinth of pure terror in which only the ruthless and perverse sicko has control.
A psychopath is born every forty-seven seconds, you’re bound to run into one.
- GenresShort StoriesHorror
300 pages, Paperback
Published March 23, 2018
14 people are currently reading
62 people want to read
About the author
Kay Oliver
11 books198 followersKay Oliver lives in the Wasatch Mountains of Utah with her husband and their house full of rescued shelter animals. When she’s not brewing a bloodcurdling tale she loves to cuddle up in her reading nook at home and get lost in tales of horror, suspense, and mystery.
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Displaying 1 - 11 of 11 reviews
June 22, 2018
Spencer is a young college student who receives devastating news one day while in class. His sick mother has just days to live and he needs to return home ASAP. Unfortunately, a severe snowstorm grounds his plane. When a young man approaches him with an offer to share the driving to their destination, Spencer doesn't hesitate.
But he should have....
Sicko contains seven thrilling stories, each one twisted in its own way, reminding us that there's no shortage of psychopaths in society. You never know when one will cross your path.
The writing is excellent--full of figurative language that pulled me right into the story.
"It was a sea of sand illuminated by the bone colored moon above."
(From the story, Nine One One.)
I felt as though I were alongside each character, experiencing their torment and troubles.
Each story greatly entertained me, but my favorites were the novella, Sicko, Hunting Season and Nine One One. I'm looking forward to reading more wonderfully warped tales by this talented author.
But he should have....
Sicko contains seven thrilling stories, each one twisted in its own way, reminding us that there's no shortage of psychopaths in society. You never know when one will cross your path.
The writing is excellent--full of figurative language that pulled me right into the story.
"It was a sea of sand illuminated by the bone colored moon above."
(From the story, Nine One One.)
I felt as though I were alongside each character, experiencing their torment and troubles.
Each story greatly entertained me, but my favorites were the novella, Sicko, Hunting Season and Nine One One. I'm looking forward to reading more wonderfully warped tales by this talented author.
October 28, 2022
I'm torn on this one for a rating, I want to rate it 5 but also 3 so I landed on 4.
I wasn't entirely disappointed in this. I bought it for the title and cover for starters. I kind of wish all of the stories had some relation to Jethro. Don't get me wrong, I was hoping for his demise right away. I may have been secretly hoping Clint had had something to do with Spencer and Jethro meeting.
Obviously I was more invested in Spencer's story than the rest...
I wasn't entirely disappointed in this. I bought it for the title and cover for starters. I kind of wish all of the stories had some relation to Jethro. Don't get me wrong, I was hoping for his demise right away. I may have been secretly hoping Clint had had something to do with Spencer and Jethro meeting.
Obviously I was more invested in Spencer's story than the rest...
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
April 25, 2018
A fine assortment of stories that sometimes flirt with, at other times go all the way with the macabre. I got my money’s worth reading 911 and Hunting Season. The former was the crowning glory of the book for me, a fast-paced humdinger that eerily reminded me of Stephen King’s work, his ability to grab hold of the reader’s emotional strings, letting him breathe when he wants to, and often being cruel enough not to relent until the last line arrives (a form of cruelty that is an author’s Holy Grail). Hunting Season was small but hard-hitting, like a can of carbonated beverage.
The titular story Sicko is a novella about a car-ride with a psychopath that has been wisely put in serial form, surfacing here and there, acting as a virtual spirit of the collection, the blemished soul that is horror fiction.
A largely satisfying read from an author who holds a lot of promise.
The titular story Sicko is a novella about a car-ride with a psychopath that has been wisely put in serial form, surfacing here and there, acting as a virtual spirit of the collection, the blemished soul that is horror fiction.
A largely satisfying read from an author who holds a lot of promise.
April 9, 2018
A great thriller
I loved reading this collection of stories by Kay. She masters description and pulling the reader into the story without a relenting moment. My favorite story here was Sicko, but each story has character, suspense, and loads of description. If you're looking for a book to keep you on the edge of your seat, grab a copy. You won't be disappointed!
I loved reading this collection of stories by Kay. She masters description and pulling the reader into the story without a relenting moment. My favorite story here was Sicko, but each story has character, suspense, and loads of description. If you're looking for a book to keep you on the edge of your seat, grab a copy. You won't be disappointed!
April 16, 2018
Some stories stand out, while others fade away too easily. However, for the price Sicko is available for on Amazon, the story Hunting Season and the titular novella are worth the price alone.
December 27, 2018
An enjoyable collection of stories that were entertaining and well written. The author is good at building suspense with hints of what might be wrong. I read the short stories first and left the 3 parts of Sicko until the end, a clever choice once I started reading. Here are a few of my favourites...
- Sicko was a little slow to start but once the violence kicked off, the story is gripping and you can't help wanting to know what happens next. A road trip from hell...
- Hunting Season had all the right elements for a 'history makes the man' story
- Swap meets Soap is an original story that could have used a bit more disturbing descriptions, but I thoroughly enjoyed the ending.
Recommended for all readers of horror.
- Sicko was a little slow to start but once the violence kicked off, the story is gripping and you can't help wanting to know what happens next. A road trip from hell...
- Hunting Season had all the right elements for a 'history makes the man' story
- Swap meets Soap is an original story that could have used a bit more disturbing descriptions, but I thoroughly enjoyed the ending.
Recommended for all readers of horror.
December 25, 2018
Kept me glued
Good book, love the stories. Recommend this author to all horror fan. Definitely will read her other books. A ++
Good book, love the stories. Recommend this author to all horror fan. Definitely will read her other books. A ++
November 3, 2023
A terrifying ride with a psycho!
I've read enough and watched enough true crime and horror to know not to take a ride from a stranger. Yet, the dear main character in this story is so sweet, I automatically felt a connection and understood his predicament. Take a ride, or miss your chance to say goodbye to your beloved mother.
I loved the characters. I loved the setup. I loved how everything went from OK to not OK in a flash. The tiniest hint of things going wrong quickly grew into a path that could only end poorly.
Despite the clear direction, surprising twists and turns kept me gripping the page.
If you're addicted to stories about the disturbed and psychotic, this is for you.
I've read enough and watched enough true crime and horror to know not to take a ride from a stranger. Yet, the dear main character in this story is so sweet, I automatically felt a connection and understood his predicament. Take a ride, or miss your chance to say goodbye to your beloved mother.
I loved the characters. I loved the setup. I loved how everything went from OK to not OK in a flash. The tiniest hint of things going wrong quickly grew into a path that could only end poorly.
Despite the clear direction, surprising twists and turns kept me gripping the page.
If you're addicted to stories about the disturbed and psychotic, this is for you.
February 1, 2021
A must read... So, READ IT!
I enjoyed reading this little collection of stories by Kay Oliver. She pulls the reader into the story relentlessly. My favorite story here was Sicko, however every story runs with its own character, suspense, and fantastic description. Personally I loved the twists, turns. A must read for all you thriller fans!. I would’ve liked to see more from Hunting Season, however, that’s just a personal preference.
I enjoyed reading this little collection of stories by Kay Oliver. She pulls the reader into the story relentlessly. My favorite story here was Sicko, however every story runs with its own character, suspense, and fantastic description. Personally I loved the twists, turns. A must read for all you thriller fans!. I would’ve liked to see more from Hunting Season, however, that’s just a personal preference.
March 22, 2019
I wasn’t sure what the heck I was reading. I thought it was a novel, then it had short stories thrown in the middle and ended up finishing what it started. The short stories had nothing to do with the beginning or the end. The book was just weird to me.
July 10, 2024
This is a mercifully short book. The author's writing style comes across as forced and juvenile and I couldn't get into the "story" at all.
Displaying 1 - 11 of 11 reviews