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PillowFace
PillowFace
Twelve year old Joel Olsen loves all things devoted to horror.
Movies, comics, books, and of course his true passion, special effects. Being raised by his older sister Haley after the sudden death of their parents Joel is in a world truly of his own. But at the launch of summer vacation Joel finds lying bloodied and near death in his backyard, a masked man that is the epitome of what he adores. A flesh and blood slasher maniac! When he invites the masked man into his home to recover from his wounds an unexpected friendship is born, but Joel quickly realizes he’s actually become involved in a true to life horror tale that he’ll be lucky to survive. This maniac known as Pillowface is not only an uncontrollable killing machine, but he also has others searching for him, and they will go to great and bloody lengths to find him.
Movies, comics, books, and of course his true passion, special effects. Being raised by his older sister Haley after the sudden death of their parents Joel is in a world truly of his own. But at the launch of summer vacation Joel finds lying bloodied and near death in his backyard, a masked man that is the epitome of what he adores. A flesh and blood slasher maniac! When he invites the masked man into his home to recover from his wounds an unexpected friendship is born, but Joel quickly realizes he’s actually become involved in a true to life horror tale that he’ll be lucky to survive. This maniac known as Pillowface is not only an uncontrollable killing machine, but he also has others searching for him, and they will go to great and bloody lengths to find him.
320 pages, Kindle Edition
First published March 1, 2012
27 people are currently reading
430 people want to read
About the author
Kristopher Rufty
69 books243 followersKristopher Rufty lives in North Carolina with his three children and pets. He’s written over twenty novels, including ALL WILL DIE, THE DEVOURED AND THE DEAD, DESOLATION, THE LURKERS and PILLOWFACE. When he’s not spending time with his family or writing, he’s obsessing over gardening and growing food.
His short story DARLA'S PROBLEM was included in the Splatterpunk Publications anthology FIGHTING BACK, which won the Splatterpunk award for best anthology. THE DEVOURED AND THE DEAD was nominated for a Splatterpunk award.
He can be found on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter. For more about Kristopher Rufty, please visit: www.kristopherrufty.com
His short story DARLA'S PROBLEM was included in the Splatterpunk Publications anthology FIGHTING BACK, which won the Splatterpunk award for best anthology. THE DEVOURED AND THE DEAD was nominated for a Splatterpunk award.
He can be found on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter. For more about Kristopher Rufty, please visit: www.kristopherrufty.com
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 55 reviews
October 17, 2023
Wow! “Pillowface”, by Kristopher Rufty was a gory story that totally immersed me. The perfect slasher. Underneath the brutal surface lies a deeper story. One I did not expect.
"Pillowface" revolves around the unique bond between a 12-year-old boy and a psychopathic character known as Pillowface. Pillowface is a veteran, with scars, who displaces his anger over his facial disfigurement by killing as many people. All Joel, whose parents died in a car crash, wanted was a friend and someone to relate to. These characters are fleshed out extremely well. The reader starts to feel compassion for Pillowface.
After reading “Pillowface” and “The Lurkers”, I can’t wait to see how Rufty combines them in “Hell Departed.”
"Pillowface" revolves around the unique bond between a 12-year-old boy and a psychopathic character known as Pillowface. Pillowface is a veteran, with scars, who displaces his anger over his facial disfigurement by killing as many people. All Joel, whose parents died in a car crash, wanted was a friend and someone to relate to. These characters are fleshed out extremely well. The reader starts to feel compassion for Pillowface.
After reading “Pillowface” and “The Lurkers”, I can’t wait to see how Rufty combines them in “Hell Departed.”
June 7, 2017
PillowFace is a Laymon-esque tale of a lonely boy who connects with a deranged, backwoods serial killer, only to have the various people in their lives get in the way and cause all manner of chaos. The main strength of the novel is Rufty's skill in developing a number of memorable characters before putting them in harm's way.
Three-quarters of the way through, and I was on board for the grand finale, eagerly anticipating the way the various characters would come together. And I was not disappointed, until the very final scenes, which really let down the story that came before it and provide nothing remotely resembling a satisfying conclusion.
Regardless, PillowFace is worth your time and effort to read, as it represents a very talented writer honing his craft.
3 Friends That May Not Help You Get By for PillowFace.
Three-quarters of the way through, and I was on board for the grand finale, eagerly anticipating the way the various characters would come together. And I was not disappointed, until the very final scenes, which really let down the story that came before it and provide nothing remotely resembling a satisfying conclusion.
Regardless, PillowFace is worth your time and effort to read, as it represents a very talented writer honing his craft.
3 Friends That May Not Help You Get By for PillowFace.
January 13, 2014
I’m always on the lookout for a Richard Laymon alternative. Various websites/forums list a few authors, Kristopher Rufty being one of them. Nothing particular that attracted me to Pillowface. It was just the cheapest of his library. Not to judge an author by one books, but this is exactly what I was looking for when I typed ‘authors like Richard layman’ into Google.
So what makes the book like a Laymon novel?
Well you have a Psychopath, brutality, sex and gore and a racing fast plot involving both great and sick perverted characters just the way you’ll remember from his books.
While Joel (the younger brother) befriends a killer he meets in the woods, his sister, and now legal guardian is none the wiser at work dealing with her own ‘major’ problems. What starts as an innocent friendship soon spirals out of control. Keeping their own lives secret from each other they get themselves into some pretty hectic situations. Joel staying out late with his new friend, his sister pre occupied with her own life.
I liked this book from the get go. The chapters fly by and I struggled to put this book down at bedtime. The book delivers from all angles. While Joel is befriending a killer, his ‘hot’ sister is at work lusting after the owner of the local book store in town. Unfortunately she too is being lusted after by her perverted boss. In addition to this there are more psycho killers looking for their missing friend.
This book is not for the feint hearted. It’s not necessarily scary or even that intense. Well no more than any other slasher novels, but it is very bloody with occasional lengthy perverted sex scenes, though no more than any Richard Laymon novel, in fact they are of a very similar style.
So what makes the book like a Laymon novel?
Well you have a Psychopath, brutality, sex and gore and a racing fast plot involving both great and sick perverted characters just the way you’ll remember from his books.
While Joel (the younger brother) befriends a killer he meets in the woods, his sister, and now legal guardian is none the wiser at work dealing with her own ‘major’ problems. What starts as an innocent friendship soon spirals out of control. Keeping their own lives secret from each other they get themselves into some pretty hectic situations. Joel staying out late with his new friend, his sister pre occupied with her own life.
I liked this book from the get go. The chapters fly by and I struggled to put this book down at bedtime. The book delivers from all angles. While Joel is befriending a killer, his ‘hot’ sister is at work lusting after the owner of the local book store in town. Unfortunately she too is being lusted after by her perverted boss. In addition to this there are more psycho killers looking for their missing friend.
This book is not for the feint hearted. It’s not necessarily scary or even that intense. Well no more than any other slasher novels, but it is very bloody with occasional lengthy perverted sex scenes, though no more than any Richard Laymon novel, in fact they are of a very similar style.
August 18, 2017
With Pillowcase, Kristopher Rufty continues his impressive body of work in the horror genre, giving readers a slasher homage that's part coming of age story, part hack and slash, and part black comedy.
The titular character, Pillowface, is a throwback to the 80s slasher icons, a masked killer with a habit of hacking up young ladies. In a grim turn of events, he gets a taste of his own medicine with a few whacks of a machete to the chest. Unlike Jason and Michael, this slasher is human, and doesn't bounce right back up. Luckily for Pillowface, he is stumbled upon by a 12-year-old horror fan named Joel, our main character. The two form a very unlikely friendship, and Joel nurses him back to health, stashing him in his basement.
The rest of the story involves Joel's older sister fighting off the advancements of her creepy boss while looking for love in a bookstore owner, Pillowface's old war buddies and fellow lunatics hunting for him, and a whole lot of violence, sex and even childhood nostalgia. But this ain't Stand By Me, folks. Like Laymon and early Ketchum novels, Rufty delivers copious amounts of gore and depravity. He also goes all Game of Thrones on you, leaving the reader uncertain as to who he'll knock off next. No one is off limits.
At times the motivations of the characters are fuzzy, and Rufty occasionally slips into the minutia of what they're doing (making coffee, getting dressed), but these are minor criticisms compared to the big picture. Pillowcase is a darkly comical book, offering the familiar trope we love but presenting it with new dynamics and unique situations. And his characters are fleshed out, so it's all the more impactful when they lose said flesh!
Read it and scream!
The titular character, Pillowface, is a throwback to the 80s slasher icons, a masked killer with a habit of hacking up young ladies. In a grim turn of events, he gets a taste of his own medicine with a few whacks of a machete to the chest. Unlike Jason and Michael, this slasher is human, and doesn't bounce right back up. Luckily for Pillowface, he is stumbled upon by a 12-year-old horror fan named Joel, our main character. The two form a very unlikely friendship, and Joel nurses him back to health, stashing him in his basement.
The rest of the story involves Joel's older sister fighting off the advancements of her creepy boss while looking for love in a bookstore owner, Pillowface's old war buddies and fellow lunatics hunting for him, and a whole lot of violence, sex and even childhood nostalgia. But this ain't Stand By Me, folks. Like Laymon and early Ketchum novels, Rufty delivers copious amounts of gore and depravity. He also goes all Game of Thrones on you, leaving the reader uncertain as to who he'll knock off next. No one is off limits.
At times the motivations of the characters are fuzzy, and Rufty occasionally slips into the minutia of what they're doing (making coffee, getting dressed), but these are minor criticisms compared to the big picture. Pillowcase is a darkly comical book, offering the familiar trope we love but presenting it with new dynamics and unique situations. And his characters are fleshed out, so it's all the more impactful when they lose said flesh!
Read it and scream!
April 14, 2012
Loved this book! I'm not joking when I say I couldn't put it down. This is what horror-suspense should be!
June 16, 2013
Imagine a terrifying evil killer, a killer who looks so horrific he has to wear a pillowcase over his head. This killer is unrelenting with no feelings for his victims as he tortures and kills them.
Now imagine feeling sorry for this killer as he befriends a teenage boy.
I really don't want to say too much, because this is a book you just have to read, but I didn't ever think I'd be sucked into the killer's story so much, or that I would feel drawn to a killer, especially as his opening scene doesn't really melt your heart.
Another story by my fav author that I couldn't put down until I'd read it all.
Now imagine feeling sorry for this killer as he befriends a teenage boy.
I really don't want to say too much, because this is a book you just have to read, but I didn't ever think I'd be sucked into the killer's story so much, or that I would feel drawn to a killer, especially as his opening scene doesn't really melt your heart.
Another story by my fav author that I couldn't put down until I'd read it all.
April 5, 2015
It’s a strange summer – a killer helping a boy with yard work, and a boy helping a killer get rid of a body.
Joel and PillowFace can see something in each other, a common thread, and their friendship is immediate. But, by the time Joel finally realizes that he’s gotten in too deep, it’s too late – and there is serious trouble coming.
Usually, when a friendship falls apart you get your CD’s back and part ways. When this friendship is put to the test… one of them might not survive.
Full review posted on BBB.
Joel and PillowFace can see something in each other, a common thread, and their friendship is immediate. But, by the time Joel finally realizes that he’s gotten in too deep, it’s too late – and there is serious trouble coming.
Usually, when a friendship falls apart you get your CD’s back and part ways. When this friendship is put to the test… one of them might not survive.
Full review posted on BBB.
May 31, 2017
Gory, gritty horror story. If you like slasher films, you'll love this.
February 13, 2025
I walked into Pillowface expecting a slasher but got so much more. Wow! Was not expecting that.
This story is VERY well developed. The friendship between Pillowface and the main character was so interesting to see play out. The writing was engaging and reminded me of one of my favorite authors, Richard Laymon. The violence was obviously still there but this story had so much layers.
Other slashers need to take note - developing your characters is how you make the “slashing” impactful.
Pillowface is the best Kristopher Rufty book I’ve read to date. Looking forward to starting the Lurkers series and the Pillowface sequels!
This story is VERY well developed. The friendship between Pillowface and the main character was so interesting to see play out. The writing was engaging and reminded me of one of my favorite authors, Richard Laymon. The violence was obviously still there but this story had so much layers.
Other slashers need to take note - developing your characters is how you make the “slashing” impactful.
Pillowface is the best Kristopher Rufty book I’ve read to date. Looking forward to starting the Lurkers series and the Pillowface sequels!
July 10, 2025
Kris Rufty is definitely the reincarnation of the late, great Richard Laymon. If this story was unauthored I'd assume it was a Laymon as it had all the Laymon-esque trademarks.
Rufty is becoming an author that I think I'll quite a bit of. Already purchased The Lurkers and Bigfoot Beach whilst midway through this book.
Rufty is becoming an author that I think I'll quite a bit of. Already purchased The Lurkers and Bigfoot Beach whilst midway through this book.
November 29, 2021
3.5 rounded down. I found the book entertaining but I was hoping to find the humanity within the monster like in Dweller by Strand. The author does create a backstory to humanize PillowFace but it wasn't enough for me to sympathize with him considering the way he kills. There were a few spots in the Haley story that I rolled my eyes and thought "yep written by a male". Ultimately I didn't like any of the characters so I really didn't care who lived or died. While the story is entertaining and worth a read, it's the inability to connect that has me rounding down.
January 9, 2019
Ein wirklich außergewöhnliches Buch, dass mich ziemlich überrascht hat, denn eigentlich hatte ich mit härterer Kost gerechnet...
Wir begleiten Joel... Er ist zwölf Jahre alt, liebt Horror jeglicher Art, egal ob Filme oder Bücher... es sind Sommerferien. Ein tragischer Schicksalsschlag hat ihm und seiner Schwester Haley erst vor kurzem die Eltern genommen...
Haley ist bereits berufstätig und so verbringt Joel die meiste Zeit alleine zu Hause... Als er eines vormittags im Garten ist, um die Wiese zu mähen, begegnet er einem blutverschmierten, wirklich großen Typen mit einem Kissenbezug über dem Kopf... Er wirkt auf Joel irgendwie alles andere als feindselig und so beschließt er ihm zu helfen...
Das die Begegnung mit diesem Typ, auch Pillowface genannt, sein Leben grundlegend verändern wird, ist Joel zu Beginn noch garnicht richtig klar...
Aber wir als Leser wissen bereits, daß Pillowface nicht alleine unterwegs ist... Und das er eigentlich wenig Mitgefühl für seinen Mitmenschen übrig hat...
Doch die Verbindung zwischen diesen beiden grundverschiedenen Menschen entwickelt sich zu etwas ganz besonderem... Für mich hatte das Buch einen eher ruhigen Grundton ... Es fließt zwar eine ordentliche Menge Blut, es gibt auch einige kleine Erotikszenen, aber der Fokus liegt meiner Meinung nach tatsächlich auf der zwischenmenschlichen Ebene. Nicht nur zwischen Pillowface und Joel... Auch die Beziehung zwischen Joel und Haley, die nach dem Tod der Eltern nicht immer ganz einfach ist.
Haley's Boss spielt auch eine gewichtige Rolle... Ein echtes Ar ***loch, wenn ihr mich fragt.
Alles in allem, nach den vielen Extrembänden die ich in letzter Zeit gelesen habe, ein Buch das mich irgendwie wieder auf den Boden zurück geholt hat...
Von mir gibt's 🖤🖤🖤🖤
Wir begleiten Joel... Er ist zwölf Jahre alt, liebt Horror jeglicher Art, egal ob Filme oder Bücher... es sind Sommerferien. Ein tragischer Schicksalsschlag hat ihm und seiner Schwester Haley erst vor kurzem die Eltern genommen...
Haley ist bereits berufstätig und so verbringt Joel die meiste Zeit alleine zu Hause... Als er eines vormittags im Garten ist, um die Wiese zu mähen, begegnet er einem blutverschmierten, wirklich großen Typen mit einem Kissenbezug über dem Kopf... Er wirkt auf Joel irgendwie alles andere als feindselig und so beschließt er ihm zu helfen...
Das die Begegnung mit diesem Typ, auch Pillowface genannt, sein Leben grundlegend verändern wird, ist Joel zu Beginn noch garnicht richtig klar...
Aber wir als Leser wissen bereits, daß Pillowface nicht alleine unterwegs ist... Und das er eigentlich wenig Mitgefühl für seinen Mitmenschen übrig hat...
Doch die Verbindung zwischen diesen beiden grundverschiedenen Menschen entwickelt sich zu etwas ganz besonderem... Für mich hatte das Buch einen eher ruhigen Grundton ... Es fließt zwar eine ordentliche Menge Blut, es gibt auch einige kleine Erotikszenen, aber der Fokus liegt meiner Meinung nach tatsächlich auf der zwischenmenschlichen Ebene. Nicht nur zwischen Pillowface und Joel... Auch die Beziehung zwischen Joel und Haley, die nach dem Tod der Eltern nicht immer ganz einfach ist.
Haley's Boss spielt auch eine gewichtige Rolle... Ein echtes Ar ***loch, wenn ihr mich fragt.
Alles in allem, nach den vielen Extrembänden die ich in letzter Zeit gelesen habe, ein Buch das mich irgendwie wieder auf den Boden zurück geholt hat...
Von mir gibt's 🖤🖤🖤🖤
June 15, 2020
Gorefest Galor with a touch of...Romance?
Do not let the title of this book fool you. It did not instill fear in my heart either. The overview and reviews are what sealed the deal. The kill scenes in this book are brutal, and are caused by some vicious characters. I enjoyed most of the character development within the story. However, in my opinion, Alan's character could have been omitted. A big "Thank You" to Rufty because this book does not contain animal abuse or child abuse. There are a few scenes (or insinuated) of sexual assault, but it is not graphically detailed. I will be purchasing other books by Rufty, and I will be recommending this book to other horror fans.
Do not let the title of this book fool you. It did not instill fear in my heart either. The overview and reviews are what sealed the deal. The kill scenes in this book are brutal, and are caused by some vicious characters. I enjoyed most of the character development within the story. However, in my opinion, Alan's character could have been omitted. A big "Thank You" to Rufty because this book does not contain animal abuse or child abuse. There are a few scenes (or insinuated) of sexual assault, but it is not graphically detailed. I will be purchasing other books by Rufty, and I will be recommending this book to other horror fans.
May 30, 2022
I'm glad I went into this one blind, because what I thought was just a slasher story was so much more. In Pillowface, Rufty gives us a take on the slasher sub genre that I've never seen before. I wasn't expecting to finish this book in one day, but the story grabbed me and wouldn't let go!
Want to read
July 1, 2015This is copy numner 54 of 66 signed and numbered copies.
September 15, 2024
Joel is only 12 years old and is a fanatic of all things scary. One day during summer vacation, he’s home alone and a giant bloody stranger wearing a mask comes staggering into the backyard on the brink of death and Joel isn’t sure what to do. He eventually decides not to call the police and secretly helps this man all the while hoping he doesn’t become his next victim in the process. This stranger is known as Pillowface, he’s a mass murderer with no moral compass and somehow the two of them form a bond. But with Pillowface around, people keep turning dead and he has evil friends desperately looking for him. Joel has no idea just how much his life is going to turn to shit and become like the nightmare movies he watches on tv.
This book had me gripped from the very beginning. Is it gruesome and gory? Yes. Can I picture it exactly like a horror movie? Also yes. Does it have moments of triumph? Yes. Does it have even more moments of suspense and brutality? Also yes.
Joel really intrigues me. When coming across Pillowface the first time, he actually calls for help, and receives zero advice on what to do. So he does something unexpected, he actually offers help to this bleeding bear of a man on the brink of death. I immediately wanted to read more and find out where this story was going.
Lots of fatalities. Lots of people in the wrong place at the wrong time or attached to the wrong people and were innocent bystanders sent to death
Pillowface has his loyalty tested and he is in constant turmoil at the end of the book. Listen to his brothers Carp and Buddy and murder the boy Joel or listen to his new child friend begging for his life?
I like how the characters storylines all converge towards the end of the book. A few characters I thought were just there for a few chapters ended up playing a roll in the grand finale. This book had a great story and good writing and had just enough death and gore. I found it rather captivating. 4/5
My only negatives were nitpicky things. The overuse of the word “mounds” to describe boobs and butts kinda drove me crazy. There are other adjectives and ways to describe them lol There were some typos. And then a few of the descriptions didn’t match up, at least in my head. For example, this 12 year old kid “wrapping his arms around Pillowfaces shoulders to help him walk” when Pillowface is supposed to be this massive giant of a human with size 16 shoes. Otherwise is was great and definitely recommend.
This book had me gripped from the very beginning. Is it gruesome and gory? Yes. Can I picture it exactly like a horror movie? Also yes. Does it have moments of triumph? Yes. Does it have even more moments of suspense and brutality? Also yes.
Joel really intrigues me. When coming across Pillowface the first time, he actually calls for help, and receives zero advice on what to do. So he does something unexpected, he actually offers help to this bleeding bear of a man on the brink of death. I immediately wanted to read more and find out where this story was going.
Lots of fatalities. Lots of people in the wrong place at the wrong time or attached to the wrong people and were innocent bystanders sent to death
Pillowface has his loyalty tested and he is in constant turmoil at the end of the book. Listen to his brothers Carp and Buddy and murder the boy Joel or listen to his new child friend begging for his life?
I like how the characters storylines all converge towards the end of the book. A few characters I thought were just there for a few chapters ended up playing a roll in the grand finale. This book had a great story and good writing and had just enough death and gore. I found it rather captivating. 4/5
My only negatives were nitpicky things. The overuse of the word “mounds” to describe boobs and butts kinda drove me crazy. There are other adjectives and ways to describe them lol There were some typos. And then a few of the descriptions didn’t match up, at least in my head. For example, this 12 year old kid “wrapping his arms around Pillowfaces shoulders to help him walk” when Pillowface is supposed to be this massive giant of a human with size 16 shoes. Otherwise is was great and definitely recommend.
January 29, 2022
SO.MANY.THOUGHTS.
A town, a kid, and his personal psychopath killer!! Brilliant!
Twelve-year-old Joel Olsen is not your typical tween, he’s a horror lover enthusiast who unexpectedly (because do you ever expect it?) comes face to face with a real horror psychopathic killer!! What seems like a typical day at the Olsen house, Joel and older sister, Haley, turns out to be bloody horrific!! This unusual relationship and what may even be called, friendship, makes for such a roller-coaster ride. Not only do we read about PillowFace and Joel but there are other secondary stories that at some point converge creating an exhilarating ending to a fantastic slasher read!
This is my second book from Kristopher Rufty after reading The Devoured and the Dead and not only do I need to immerse myself in his work, but I need more PillowFace! This story was bloody, terrifying disturbing, and no-holds-barred. Not for the faint of heart but if you enjoy on-screen slashers, then this is definitely the book for you!
A town, a kid, and his personal psychopath killer!! Brilliant!
Twelve-year-old Joel Olsen is not your typical tween, he’s a horror lover enthusiast who unexpectedly (because do you ever expect it?) comes face to face with a real horror psychopathic killer!! What seems like a typical day at the Olsen house, Joel and older sister, Haley, turns out to be bloody horrific!! This unusual relationship and what may even be called, friendship, makes for such a roller-coaster ride. Not only do we read about PillowFace and Joel but there are other secondary stories that at some point converge creating an exhilarating ending to a fantastic slasher read!
This is my second book from Kristopher Rufty after reading The Devoured and the Dead and not only do I need to immerse myself in his work, but I need more PillowFace! This story was bloody, terrifying disturbing, and no-holds-barred. Not for the faint of heart but if you enjoy on-screen slashers, then this is definitely the book for you!
June 19, 2013
Although I'm a HUGE horror fan, I don't usually expect much from the *psychopathic killer* type of plot. Slasher films/ books--on the whole--tend to lack a certain level of emotional and character development that I need in order to truly connect with the story. Kris Rufty has absolutely nailed it here! I am in awe at his crazy ideas, and more importantly, how he actually manages to execute them in a believable way! No offense to the author, but I thought I would be reading "Pillowface" for a bit of light entertainment, nothing more. But I got more.
Summarizing the plot makes it sounds all too hokey: A soon-to-be 13 year old boy (Joel) befriends a masked killer (Pillowface) who suffered great tortures during war and came back to a thankless country... and now hacks people up with his two solider buddies, who set up camp in the middle of the woods. Yet, the way the author allows us glimpses inside each character's mind: the boy having lost both of his parents recently and feeling very lonely inside, Pillowface having been a handsome man just years ago, now terribly scarred, hurting, and full of rage. The bond that forms between them when Joel offers to help the masked killer when he discovers him, bleeding nearly to death, at the edge of the woods. It really does sound corny, but it's fantastically written, and I guarantee you've never read anything like it.
Every horror fan MUST read this novel. Pillowface is truly unique.
Summarizing the plot makes it sounds all too hokey: A soon-to-be 13 year old boy (Joel) befriends a masked killer (Pillowface) who suffered great tortures during war and came back to a thankless country... and now hacks people up with his two solider buddies, who set up camp in the middle of the woods. Yet, the way the author allows us glimpses inside each character's mind: the boy having lost both of his parents recently and feeling very lonely inside, Pillowface having been a handsome man just years ago, now terribly scarred, hurting, and full of rage. The bond that forms between them when Joel offers to help the masked killer when he discovers him, bleeding nearly to death, at the edge of the woods. It really does sound corny, but it's fantastically written, and I guarantee you've never read anything like it.
Every horror fan MUST read this novel. Pillowface is truly unique.
February 7, 2013
Every once in a blue moon a book comes along and make you question why you gave other books such a high rating. PillowFace is one of them books it completely immerses you into it and the only thing you want to do is finish it to know how it ends then when you get there your upset its over. Kristopher Ruffy has just climbed into my top 10 writers with this book!
April 17, 2014
Loved it! Damn! Edge of your seat tension from cover to cover. Pillowface was such an interesting character torn between his loyalty to Buddy and Carp and his friendship with 12 year old Joel. Very Highly recommended. Hope Kristopher writes a sequel sometime soon.
April 1, 2024
Very entertaining. A little slow in some areas but overall a fun yet demented read. I am curious about the sequels. Maybe I’ll revisit pillowface in the future. I do think Rufty has a great writing style that can suck you in.
Read
November 16, 2013I liked this book quite a bit. The imagery was excellent and I could imagine what PillowFace would look like. I got Rick from SplatterHouse.
January 4, 2026
the premise, a slasher obsessed 12 year old comes across a REAL chainsaw murderer in trouble and befriends him, is interesting. but the leaps this kid makes to help this story move are so crazy, i dont think the story really works if you're going to try to make the kid normal. theres also a salacious aspect to the book that fits the slasher premise well but extends a sleazy aura over everything.
i got behind on updating goodreads for a while, i didnt really read this overnight :v
i got behind on updating goodreads for a while, i didnt really read this overnight :v
October 13, 2013
In this "boy looking for friend, finds fiend instead" gore-filled splatterfest, Kristopher Rufty picks up the mantle left behind by Richard Laymon and establishes himself as his worthy successor. The novel has all of the elements that Laymon used to entertain his fans: gore, sex, moments of sheer terror, a fast moving plot, and interesting characters.
"Pillowface" revolves around the unique bonding between a 12-year old boy and a psychopathic, emotionally scarred war veteran who displaces his anger over his facial disfigurement by killing as many people as he can. All 12-year old Joel wanted was a friend and someone to relate to after the tragic loss of his parents in an automobile accident. His guardian and older sister, Haley, didn't understand him and forced him to do "awful" things like clean his room and mow the yard.
The friendship started out innocently enough as Joel came across the badly injured Pillowface in the woods. The fiend had suffered some knife wounds during his most recent kill. As Joel helped the giant back to his house for treatment, Pillowface was struck by the boy's kindness. No one had treated him this way since before the war. It was Joel's kindness that both saved his life and started the unique relationship between monster and boy. Not sure what to do with him, Joel hid his new friend in his room (and away from Haley) until he recovered. Once back on his feet, the urge to kill resurfaced for Pillowface and he soon began to start claiming victims again. Joel soon found himself in an uncompromising situation when he found the remains of another Pillowface murder. Does Joel risk his friendship with his new buddy or listen to his conscience?
Rufty does a great job answering that question as he introduces and weaves new characters into the book. The book is a very quick read and the plot moves swiftly to a somewhat predictable, but not unsatisfying ending. This is the first book that I've read by Rufty, but guaranteed not to be the last from a better-than-expected substitute for Richard Laymon.
"Pillowface" revolves around the unique bonding between a 12-year old boy and a psychopathic, emotionally scarred war veteran who displaces his anger over his facial disfigurement by killing as many people as he can. All 12-year old Joel wanted was a friend and someone to relate to after the tragic loss of his parents in an automobile accident. His guardian and older sister, Haley, didn't understand him and forced him to do "awful" things like clean his room and mow the yard.
The friendship started out innocently enough as Joel came across the badly injured Pillowface in the woods. The fiend had suffered some knife wounds during his most recent kill. As Joel helped the giant back to his house for treatment, Pillowface was struck by the boy's kindness. No one had treated him this way since before the war. It was Joel's kindness that both saved his life and started the unique relationship between monster and boy. Not sure what to do with him, Joel hid his new friend in his room (and away from Haley) until he recovered. Once back on his feet, the urge to kill resurfaced for Pillowface and he soon began to start claiming victims again. Joel soon found himself in an uncompromising situation when he found the remains of another Pillowface murder. Does Joel risk his friendship with his new buddy or listen to his conscience?
Rufty does a great job answering that question as he introduces and weaves new characters into the book. The book is a very quick read and the plot moves swiftly to a somewhat predictable, but not unsatisfying ending. This is the first book that I've read by Rufty, but guaranteed not to be the last from a better-than-expected substitute for Richard Laymon.
July 12, 2015
This book started out as a strong five star. Then trickled down to a four about halfway through. By the end it left me feeling 3 starrish. Cool idea. Boy befriends a serial killer who is basically Jason but with a pillow over his head (visualize Friday the 13th part 2) Turns out Pillowface has feelings too like the rest of us and actually starts to care for the boy. My problem with that is well...I don't WANT my psycho slasher serial killers who wear pillows on their head to having feelings and like people. I will also say that I've read a lot of reviewers comparing the author to Laymon. Hmm...I'm not sure Rufty has reached that level yet with this book but I'm going to read a Laymon book next just to be sure. Let's see...what do I have of Laymon's on my shelf that I haven't read yet. Ah.....The Glory Bus...let's begin the Laymon vs. Rufty challenge...
November 4, 2022
3.5 rounded up for GR. This is definitely written in the style of Richard Laymon with lots of sex and violence. Overall, it's definitely a trashy slasher novel, but it's all in good fun!
February 15, 2021
A strong start, an interesting concept, but fell flat.
A 12-year-old horror enthusiast boy is being raised by his sister after the sudden death of their parents. They both struggle to fit into their new roles, and Joel is left alone a lot while she figures out how to balance her work and social life with this new responsibility. There is a masked Jason Vorhees looking maniac on the verge of death that appears in Joel's backyard. So, of course, he invites him into his house to rest and recover. What could possibly go wrong? A strange bond is formed between the killer Pillowface and the kid, but that doesn't stop the terror that follows the killer home.
2.5/5 rounded up
This was OK. A great concept, and most likely because of that, I had maybe had my hopes too high. There was a ton of bloody action up front, then by the middle, I became so disinterested I started 2 other books. There were 3 main voices, the boy, the killer, and the sister. The boy's perspective was innocent, naive, and a little heartbreaking as to be expected because of all the change and death in his life. The killer's perspective was unexpected, deep, passionate, interesting, I got to know him, understand him and his anger, and felt compassion for what he went through. The sister's perspective was unnecessarily shallow and one-dimensional. In fact, all the female characters were incredibly base, the only thing learned about them was regarding their body parts and of course, that they were all sex hungry. Then, with the addition of 3 other adversaries, it was too much.
I can see the comparison to Laymon here, there was a dirty slimebag, sexualized females, plenty of mentions of "rump", but there just wasn't enough thrilling action to support the main or the many side stories.
A 12-year-old horror enthusiast boy is being raised by his sister after the sudden death of their parents. They both struggle to fit into their new roles, and Joel is left alone a lot while she figures out how to balance her work and social life with this new responsibility. There is a masked Jason Vorhees looking maniac on the verge of death that appears in Joel's backyard. So, of course, he invites him into his house to rest and recover. What could possibly go wrong? A strange bond is formed between the killer Pillowface and the kid, but that doesn't stop the terror that follows the killer home.
2.5/5 rounded up
This was OK. A great concept, and most likely because of that, I had maybe had my hopes too high. There was a ton of bloody action up front, then by the middle, I became so disinterested I started 2 other books. There were 3 main voices, the boy, the killer, and the sister. The boy's perspective was innocent, naive, and a little heartbreaking as to be expected because of all the change and death in his life. The killer's perspective was unexpected, deep, passionate, interesting, I got to know him, understand him and his anger, and felt compassion for what he went through. The sister's perspective was unnecessarily shallow and one-dimensional. In fact, all the female characters were incredibly base, the only thing learned about them was regarding their body parts and of course, that they were all sex hungry. Then, with the addition of 3 other adversaries, it was too much.
I can see the comparison to Laymon here, there was a dirty slimebag, sexualized females, plenty of mentions of "rump", but there just wasn't enough thrilling action to support the main or the many side stories.
November 25, 2021
Rufty's ode to slasher films is mostly pretty good. There were some huge, huge leaps in logic and believability just to keep the story moving. If you read it in the same frame of mind that you would watch a B slasher movie, you will mostly enjoy it. That said, the tone seemed off here and there. It could have been a blisteringly funny horror comedy, if Rufty had went that direction. It could have been a deeply disturbing, twisted coming of age tale, if Rufty went in that direction. Instead, it kind of veers between the two and the combination doesn't quite gel perfectly, in my opinion.
The leaps in logic and believability make it challenging to take seriously. The extremely graphic and disturbing gore and perversion on hand make it hard to take lightly. So it kind of just exists in a weird nether region of it's own. All this aside, I read the final 120 pages in one sitting last night. So, that is saying something! Rufty has created a less than perfect novel here, but if you are a big fan of old slasher horror films and/or Richard Laymon novels, you will get some enjoyment out of it. Though I don't think that he quite nailed it, I really appreciate what Rufty did or attempted to do here. He took some risks. Your mileage may vary.
The leaps in logic and believability make it challenging to take seriously. The extremely graphic and disturbing gore and perversion on hand make it hard to take lightly. So it kind of just exists in a weird nether region of it's own. All this aside, I read the final 120 pages in one sitting last night. So, that is saying something! Rufty has created a less than perfect novel here, but if you are a big fan of old slasher horror films and/or Richard Laymon novels, you will get some enjoyment out of it. Though I don't think that he quite nailed it, I really appreciate what Rufty did or attempted to do here. He took some risks. Your mileage may vary.
December 8, 2021
I read Pillowface for a Goodreads Psychology/Thriller book selection for November 2021. Wow, what an intense book. Although Pillowface is a horror book, there is a lot of deep connections about what it means to be a friend. This book centers around a young woman and her teenage son who are living their lives after losing both parents. Joel is the teenage son that is a horror fan. Joel befriends a mountain of a man this covers his face with a pillow. This book covers the connection between Joel and Pillowface and has a crescendo of an ending.
I found Pillowcase to be a delightful book. Although this is a horror book, I was able get a deeper meaning from this book. I found a strong connection with family and friends from this book. I really enjoyed the character development. At times I felt like I was reading a Dean Koontz fan. In fact, Dean Konntz is mentioned in this book. Bravo to the author. This was an outstanding book.
I found Pillowcase to be a delightful book. Although this is a horror book, I was able get a deeper meaning from this book. I found a strong connection with family and friends from this book. I really enjoyed the character development. At times I felt like I was reading a Dean Koontz fan. In fact, Dean Konntz is mentioned in this book. Bravo to the author. This was an outstanding book.
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