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meghan_readsbooks 's review for:
Killer on the Road/The Babysitter Lives
by Stephen Graham Jones
dark
fast-paced
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Thank you to Saga Press for the review copies! I am a tremendous fan of Stephen Graham Jones, his voice and style add to the horror genre, often elevating the experience with strong writing and captivating, and needed attention to Indigenous lives. I enjoyed both of these short stories... as with any horror read, go in ready for intensity, gore/scares, and feeling deeply unsettled at times as well as perhaps confused/uncertain about some elements of the story (horror is meant to throw you off after all!).
📘 Killer on the Road
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️¼ (4.25 stars)
This novella was brutal, chaotic, and completely unrelenting—in the best way possible. It's not your typical serial killer story, and I loved it all the more for that reason. The character work shines early on, especially with the vibrant, tight-knit group of friends. The pacing is breathless; it never lets up, and I couldn't tear myself away. More action-packed than traditionally scary, this reads like a horror-road thriller, calling to mind The Hitcher, but with SGJ’s signature Southern Gothic twist.
📙 The Babysitter Lives
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️½ (4.5 stars)
This one felt like a nostalgic fever dream—equal parts classic Halloween horror and creepy Twilight Zone episode. SGJ taps into that old-school babysitter-in-peril vibe, but throws in reality-bending horror that truly had my heart racing. There’s a haunted house, confusing timelines, and a sense of dread that builds in a wonderfully disorienting way. The ending lost me a little with its fragmentation, but overall, it was an eerie, effective ride. If you like horror that leans into the strange and surreal, this one will get under your skin.
📘 Killer on the Road
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️¼ (4.25 stars)
This novella was brutal, chaotic, and completely unrelenting—in the best way possible. It's not your typical serial killer story, and I loved it all the more for that reason. The character work shines early on, especially with the vibrant, tight-knit group of friends. The pacing is breathless; it never lets up, and I couldn't tear myself away. More action-packed than traditionally scary, this reads like a horror-road thriller, calling to mind The Hitcher, but with SGJ’s signature Southern Gothic twist.
📙 The Babysitter Lives
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️½ (4.5 stars)
This one felt like a nostalgic fever dream—equal parts classic Halloween horror and creepy Twilight Zone episode. SGJ taps into that old-school babysitter-in-peril vibe, but throws in reality-bending horror that truly had my heart racing. There’s a haunted house, confusing timelines, and a sense of dread that builds in a wonderfully disorienting way. The ending lost me a little with its fragmentation, but overall, it was an eerie, effective ride. If you like horror that leans into the strange and surreal, this one will get under your skin.