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What would you do to protect what’s yours?
Donnie’s whole world changed the day he met Nate at The Stop, a cruising spot outside a small Texas town. Nate saw him, knew him, cared for him, and then one day, in an incomprehensible act of violence, Nate was taken from him.
Broken but not beaten, Donnie steps into Nate’s role at The Stop with one goal in mind: find the man who murdered his lover and see justice served no matter the cost.
Content warning: Violence, sexual situations, sex work, rough trade
Donnie’s whole world changed the day he met Nate at The Stop, a cruising spot outside a small Texas town. Nate saw him, knew him, cared for him, and then one day, in an incomprehensible act of violence, Nate was taken from him.
Broken but not beaten, Donnie steps into Nate’s role at The Stop with one goal in mind: find the man who murdered his lover and see justice served no matter the cost.
Content warning: Violence, sexual situations, sex work, rough trade
74 pages, Kindle Edition
First published August 6, 2021
73 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 11 of 11 reviews
August 11, 2021
“The Stop” is a place of refuge where people can explore their desires and be themselves until a monster discovers this sanctuary. The spot in the woods was not the safest space but it was all that gay individuals had to be themselves.
When Donnie’s friend is murdered, he seeks to find out who did it. Driven by his desire to seek revenge and find out who committed this heinous act.
The book started strong and hooked me from the first page to the last. Donnie, the main character, seemed to pop off the page. The reader can feel his anger, confusion and anxiety. I always love characters that seem realistic.
“The Stop” is a queer horror novella about revenge. There is not a lot of gore and the book was powerful enough without it.
One of my favorite parts of this book was references to classic horror novels. If you are looking for queer horror to binge read, this is your novella.
5 ⭐️
November 10, 2021
The Stop by W. Dale Jordan is a devastating and gut-wrenching novella that surrounds Donnie, a gay man who is relentlessly trying to hunt down a killer who’s focuses are on queer men.
I found this novella absolutely heartbreaking.
It’s a profound look, although fictional, into the lives of what being queer was like 20+ years ago, and even now, it’s relevant. Having to hide your sexuality, being internally homophobic due to fear, having to sneak around, hiding your identity. The title of the novella holds a lot of history. Years ago, queer folk were having to make secret meet up spots to be able to express who they are, explore who they are and meets other suffering the same oppression, in the hopes of feeling normal for a few hours a day. Now we have apps and social media to help us feel that little bit safer with our sexuality, and even at that, there’s still a lot of homophobia and transphobia that runs rampant.
There was a specific line that really got to me.
“His life means nothing to anyone except me.”
After reading this line, I had to pause, because I genuinely felt it so deep inside my chest.
Being queer, we learn that we need to be there for our siblings in the community, because sometimes, nobody else is there for us, and we have to stick together, support each other and love each other unconditionally.
The Stop, although emotionally painful, also had such an interesting plot, had pop culture references weaved within, and characters that many readers could relate to. There was also the religious aspect in the story which I rather enjoy in books, and I became increasingly stressed with how everything would play out.
I think my only critique would be that the ending felt a bit fast for what was happening and could have been drawn out longer, but that did not affect my enjoyment after reading.
Thank you to W. Dale Jordan for sending me a free copy in exchange for honest review.
TWITTER | BLOG | INSTA
I found this novella absolutely heartbreaking.
It’s a profound look, although fictional, into the lives of what being queer was like 20+ years ago, and even now, it’s relevant. Having to hide your sexuality, being internally homophobic due to fear, having to sneak around, hiding your identity. The title of the novella holds a lot of history. Years ago, queer folk were having to make secret meet up spots to be able to express who they are, explore who they are and meets other suffering the same oppression, in the hopes of feeling normal for a few hours a day. Now we have apps and social media to help us feel that little bit safer with our sexuality, and even at that, there’s still a lot of homophobia and transphobia that runs rampant.
There was a specific line that really got to me.
“His life means nothing to anyone except me.”
After reading this line, I had to pause, because I genuinely felt it so deep inside my chest.
Being queer, we learn that we need to be there for our siblings in the community, because sometimes, nobody else is there for us, and we have to stick together, support each other and love each other unconditionally.
The Stop, although emotionally painful, also had such an interesting plot, had pop culture references weaved within, and characters that many readers could relate to. There was also the religious aspect in the story which I rather enjoy in books, and I became increasingly stressed with how everything would play out.
I think my only critique would be that the ending felt a bit fast for what was happening and could have been drawn out longer, but that did not affect my enjoyment after reading.
Thank you to W. Dale Jordan for sending me a free copy in exchange for honest review.
TWITTER | BLOG | INSTA
August 11, 2021
Thanks to the author for sending me an ARC of this novella in exchange for an honest review!
I went into The Stop pretty much blind, with no real expectations aside from knowing a couple friends loved it. I quite enjoyed it myself! This story is brief and packs a wallop—the author gets in, tells his tale, and gets out, which I respect mightily—and is a nasty little treat for readers who love human-centered horror.
Something that really stuck out to me was the story’s strong sense of setting: the small, homophobic town, and the year (1996) in which it is set. There are a few pop culture references thrown in but nothing over the top. This isn’t nostalgia porn.
If there’s anything I disliked about this, I felt the ending was wrapped up maybe a little too quickly and it just didn’t really work for me, but to each his own. And I wanted more out of the relationship between the main character and the guy who comes to help him in the end. I feel that particular character could’ve been fleshed out more.
Overall, this is a read-in-one-sitting story I recommend to everyone, especially those who want a punchy bit of queer horror.
I went into The Stop pretty much blind, with no real expectations aside from knowing a couple friends loved it. I quite enjoyed it myself! This story is brief and packs a wallop—the author gets in, tells his tale, and gets out, which I respect mightily—and is a nasty little treat for readers who love human-centered horror.
Something that really stuck out to me was the story’s strong sense of setting: the small, homophobic town, and the year (1996) in which it is set. There are a few pop culture references thrown in but nothing over the top. This isn’t nostalgia porn.
If there’s anything I disliked about this, I felt the ending was wrapped up maybe a little too quickly and it just didn’t really work for me, but to each his own. And I wanted more out of the relationship between the main character and the guy who comes to help him in the end. I feel that particular character could’ve been fleshed out more.
Overall, this is a read-in-one-sitting story I recommend to everyone, especially those who want a punchy bit of queer horror.
August 14, 2021
I was lucky enough to read an ARC of this novella, and it is powerful and evocative. It takes an aspect of gay culture that is usually treated with just salaciousness and instead explores it with real sensitivity and humanity. This is why we need more queer creators in the horror genre, because I don't think a straight writer would have been able to tell this story, at least not with this degree of authenticity and sensitivity. I highly recommend it.
August 27, 2021
Everyone in town knows about The Stop. A place for men to cruise anonymously. Every town has one. A beacon and a bullseye.
Donnie has a girlfriend but has known for awhile that he wants something else. Taking the detour after class to drive by The Stop, tracking a handsome stranger, building up the courage to just pull over and meet him.
When he finally does he meets Nate, and a relationship is forged. The first man Donnie has been with, and a new world is opened up to him. One that's immediately taken away. Nate is gone, violently killed, and no one cares what happened to this young gay man. No one but Donnie.
He'll find out who killed Nate, and he'll make them pay.
A story about discovery and revenge, The Stop is an incredible one-sitter.
Thank you so much for providing me with a copy W. Dale Jordan.
Donnie has a girlfriend but has known for awhile that he wants something else. Taking the detour after class to drive by The Stop, tracking a handsome stranger, building up the courage to just pull over and meet him.
When he finally does he meets Nate, and a relationship is forged. The first man Donnie has been with, and a new world is opened up to him. One that's immediately taken away. Nate is gone, violently killed, and no one cares what happened to this young gay man. No one but Donnie.
He'll find out who killed Nate, and he'll make them pay.
A story about discovery and revenge, The Stop is an incredible one-sitter.
Thank you so much for providing me with a copy W. Dale Jordan.
August 30, 2022
I am so annoyed at myself for putting off reading this for so long! The momentum, the characters, the choppy direct punch of the prose. Goddamn. It was the perfect little capsule of a revenge tale. I wish it had been longer so I could savour it, but I’m not mad at all because the pacing was perfect and the resolution satisfying.
November 29, 2021
This story was a rollercoaster of emotions. We’re introduced to the main character, Don, who experiments with and embraces his sexuality -- facing the consequences. There’s a constant increase of pressure as his blood family disowns him upon his “outing” and his found family faces the risk of exposure, or worse, death. After his first male lover is killed under mysterious circumstances, Don spirals into the depths of the culture’s terrible realities and seeks vengeance on those who target the vulnerable.
There’s a stark contrast of paranormal elements and realistic issues that Jordan highlights; in doing so, the reader is led to examine the realities of the plot from different perspectives. The overarching theme is the risks involved in openly renouncing heterosexuality; being yourself comes with a price. Don learns this all the while being led by the ghostly presence of his lover. Is the threat within this domain -- or, something much bigger than he’s prepared to face?
The aspect of cruising was and is a dangerous game. At the time this novel takes place, gay men embodied their desires and interests mainly in designated spots spread by word-of-mouth. These weren’t always safe spaces. Jordan uses this novel to discuss the real-life aspects of this culture, and educate through engaging storytelling. The horror of this novel stems from the fact that it’s still relevant to this day.
There’s a stark contrast of paranormal elements and realistic issues that Jordan highlights; in doing so, the reader is led to examine the realities of the plot from different perspectives. The overarching theme is the risks involved in openly renouncing heterosexuality; being yourself comes with a price. Don learns this all the while being led by the ghostly presence of his lover. Is the threat within this domain -- or, something much bigger than he’s prepared to face?
The aspect of cruising was and is a dangerous game. At the time this novel takes place, gay men embodied their desires and interests mainly in designated spots spread by word-of-mouth. These weren’t always safe spaces. Jordan uses this novel to discuss the real-life aspects of this culture, and educate through engaging storytelling. The horror of this novel stems from the fact that it’s still relevant to this day.
October 23, 2021
The Stop has a lot of impact. W. Dale Jordan's characters became very real to me in a very short time. I found myself caring about these people (well, not all of these people). The Stop approaches the subject of cruising and sex work in a very humanizing and honest way. The acts portrayed on the page, in the hands of some authors, would be played for shock value, but Jordan's characters are written so sensitively that their humanity shines through. I could have spent more time with these characters, but I think the novella length works well for telling this story.
I listened to the audiobook, and the narrator Kenneth Fuentes does an excellent job taking us on this journey. His pacing, and portrayal of the characters was spot-on. The first person narrative of Donnie is delivered in a way that connects emotionally while also catching the seeming inevitability of events as they unfold.
There is certainly revenge and horror in this story, but there is also warmth and humanity. Well worth your time.
I listened to the audiobook, and the narrator Kenneth Fuentes does an excellent job taking us on this journey. His pacing, and portrayal of the characters was spot-on. The first person narrative of Donnie is delivered in a way that connects emotionally while also catching the seeming inevitability of events as they unfold.
There is certainly revenge and horror in this story, but there is also warmth and humanity. Well worth your time.
August 8, 2021
Sites and apps to meet people haven't always been a thing. Not that long ago, gay men had to risk a lot more to seek companionship. They'd go to cruising spots to (hopefully) find like-minded souls looking for the same thing they were. But what happens when monsters find out about said places and want to cause harm? In THE STOP, Donnie learns who he is, what he wants, and what he's capable of.
I don't want to say much more about the plot because the novella isn't that long and, as always, I don't want to ruin anything. This isn't a supernatural story, more of a thriller, but based on the events I'd still call this revenge horror. I will say that this tale of self-discovery and revenge kept me on the edge of my seat until the very end. Jordan writes characters that are easy to empathize with and I felt a lot of feelings- sadness, anger, relief...not necessarily in that order. If you're looking for a queer noir/thriller that you'll want to read in single sitting, this is it.
* I was provided an ebook ARC by the author. Also, we're co-hosts on The Horror Stacks podcast, but that didn't affect my review or the given score.
I don't want to say much more about the plot because the novella isn't that long and, as always, I don't want to ruin anything. This isn't a supernatural story, more of a thriller, but based on the events I'd still call this revenge horror. I will say that this tale of self-discovery and revenge kept me on the edge of my seat until the very end. Jordan writes characters that are easy to empathize with and I felt a lot of feelings- sadness, anger, relief...not necessarily in that order. If you're looking for a queer noir/thriller that you'll want to read in single sitting, this is it.
* I was provided an ebook ARC by the author. Also, we're co-hosts on The Horror Stacks podcast, but that didn't affect my review or the given score.
July 15, 2021
I first read W. Dale Jordan as part of the WORST LAID PLANS anthology from Grindhouse Press. I am excited to say that he continues to shine in his novella THE STOP. Many readers now do not know of the time before apps and internet where men went to places to cruise known as, well, cruising spots. The Spot is just that: a rest stop that serves as a refuge to let go of your own potential shame, to explore your most forbidden desires, and to, quite simply, get as intimate and physical as you want to with no judgment or strings. Yes, this was not and is not the safest place to be from different levels, but at one point, it was all some gay men had. THE STOP explores what dangers might lurk in those woods and what lengths one might go to in order to get revenge and BE SEEN as a human being.
Jordan's writing is captivating and brutal. It is in your face, both literally and figuratively. In this horror thriller with a touch of noir, Jordan explores sex & sexuality, small town mindsets with a dash of religious fear, and finding yourself in a messed up world or situation. I was HOOKED from the first page - I actually felt panicky (and sometimes even uncomfortable or awkward) while reading and trying to guess what was going to happen, who could be safe, etc. I am here for all the queer horror and Jordan has definitely solidified himself as a go-to and instant-buy author for me!
Jordan's writing is captivating and brutal. It is in your face, both literally and figuratively. In this horror thriller with a touch of noir, Jordan explores sex & sexuality, small town mindsets with a dash of religious fear, and finding yourself in a messed up world or situation. I was HOOKED from the first page - I actually felt panicky (and sometimes even uncomfortable or awkward) while reading and trying to guess what was going to happen, who could be safe, etc. I am here for all the queer horror and Jordan has definitely solidified himself as a go-to and instant-buy author for me!
November 17, 2021
This novella had me feeling mixed emotions at first. I was sad at first, thinking of all the brutality and bullshit gay men had to put up with followed immediately by shock.
The Stop feels as much like a murder mystery as a suspenseful thrill ride as Donnie tries to find the man who murdered his lover. The author’s note at the end about people wishing it was longer doesn’t really make sense to me. It gets in, tells the story it needs to tell, and doesn’t overstay its welcum or needlessly pad out the story.
In a world where people have tried to be more inclusive; I think most people forget or just don’t know how brutal the recent past was. I think this novella does a great job of showing things as they were. It doesn’t sugarcoat it or make it seem less violent and terrifying than it was.
The narrator is extremely emotive and does an excellent job at breathing life into the characters. The audio is clean and clear and doesn’t feature any repeated dialogue or other background noises.
NOTE: This copy was provided to me free of charge as a digital review copy. The opinions stated in this review are mine and mine alone, I was not paid or requested to give this book a certain rating, suggestion, or approval.
The Stop feels as much like a murder mystery as a suspenseful thrill ride as Donnie tries to find the man who murdered his lover. The author’s note at the end about people wishing it was longer doesn’t really make sense to me. It gets in, tells the story it needs to tell, and doesn’t overstay its welcum or needlessly pad out the story.
In a world where people have tried to be more inclusive; I think most people forget or just don’t know how brutal the recent past was. I think this novella does a great job of showing things as they were. It doesn’t sugarcoat it or make it seem less violent and terrifying than it was.
The narrator is extremely emotive and does an excellent job at breathing life into the characters. The audio is clean and clear and doesn’t feature any repeated dialogue or other background noises.
NOTE: This copy was provided to me free of charge as a digital review copy. The opinions stated in this review are mine and mine alone, I was not paid or requested to give this book a certain rating, suggestion, or approval.
Displaying 1 - 11 of 11 reviews