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chasctaylor_reads 's review for:
Killer on the Road/The Babysitter Lives
by Stephen Graham Jones
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
I really appreciate Stephen Graham Jones for his unique takes on horror and the seamless way he integrates Indigenous perspectives into familiar tropes. This bind-up was a fun, gripping read that kept me on my toes, thanks to two strong-willed female leads.
In true SGJ fashion, he doesn’t spoon-feed the reader. You have to pay attention, read between the lines, and—more often than not—I find myself looking things up as I go. That’s part of what makes his work so rewarding. I tend to reach for his books when I want to be challenged and when I’m in the mood to really slow down and absorb every detail. Despite the mental workout, his writing style never fails to keep me engaged.
I can absolutely see myself rereading both of these stories—there’s so much layered into them that I’m sure I missed things the first time around. A second read will probably be even more satisfying.
Also, shoutout to SGJ’s acknowledgments—always a favorite part for me!
Killer on the Road: 4.25 Stars ✨
This one gave Jeepers Creepers meets The Outsider (Stephen King vibes!). There’s quite a bit of trucker lingo that I had to familiarize myself with, but SGJ even notes the amount of research he put into this, which shows. Super atmospheric and unsettling.
The Babysitter Lives: 4 Stars ✨
This one was originally released in 2022 (audio only)* I found this to be a clever, unexpected take on the haunted house story. I never knew where it was heading, and SGJ takes the reader on a wild, unpredictable ride. Creepy and chaotic! If you enjoyed We Used to Live Here, pick this one up.
In true SGJ fashion, he doesn’t spoon-feed the reader. You have to pay attention, read between the lines, and—more often than not—I find myself looking things up as I go. That’s part of what makes his work so rewarding. I tend to reach for his books when I want to be challenged and when I’m in the mood to really slow down and absorb every detail. Despite the mental workout, his writing style never fails to keep me engaged.
I can absolutely see myself rereading both of these stories—there’s so much layered into them that I’m sure I missed things the first time around. A second read will probably be even more satisfying.
Also, shoutout to SGJ’s acknowledgments—always a favorite part for me!
Killer on the Road: 4.25 Stars ✨
This one gave Jeepers Creepers meets The Outsider (Stephen King vibes!). There’s quite a bit of trucker lingo that I had to familiarize myself with, but SGJ even notes the amount of research he put into this, which shows. Super atmospheric and unsettling.
The Babysitter Lives: 4 Stars ✨
This one was originally released in 2022 (audio only)* I found this to be a clever, unexpected take on the haunted house story. I never knew where it was heading, and SGJ takes the reader on a wild, unpredictable ride. Creepy and chaotic! If you enjoyed We Used to Live Here, pick this one up.