Member Reviews

• 
  • Rated 4 stars

  “First in a trilogy and winner of the Stoker Award for best first novel. Maberry has created a wholly original tale filled with a grand cast of characters. The town of Pine Deep was plagued by a serial killer over three decades ago. They buried the past, and have recovered well, but how will they handle it when the evil returns?”

  BeckyL wrote this review Tuesday, October 28 2008. ( reply | permalink )
• 
  • Rated 5 stars

  “From RA For All: http://raforall.blogspot.com/2008/09/what-im-reading-september-2008.html
  
  I finally read Jonathan Maberry's award winning Ghost Road Blues. I had read parts of it, but never got to it cover to cover. The worst thing I can say about this awesome horror novel is that now I HAVE to read the next two in the series because it is really one story in three books. I am hooked as many of my patrons have been. Here is an annotation I wrote about the novel when it first won the Bram Stoker:
  
  Thirty years ago, the citizens of Pine Deep, PA killed a serial killer known as the Reaper. Since then, the town has seen peace and fame as the most haunted town in America. While getting ready for their annual Halloween festival, a new supernatural evil lurks on the outskirts of town, waiting to finish what the Reaper began.
  
  What makes Ghost Road Blues so interesting is its mix of a serial killer story with a supernatural, supremely evil monster. Add to the mix, some scary followers of this monster, and a motley crew of heroes (including another ghost) out to save themselves and their town. The characters are very well fleshed out in the 400 pages of this book, so I can only imagine the character development gets even deeper in the next two books of the trilogy. This first part ends with a calm in the storm of havoc that is about to descend upon Pine Deep. How can you not go out and read Dead Man's Song immediately?
  
  This is horror, so there is violence, blood, gore, and a general uncomfortable feeling penetrating the entire book. Ghost Road Blues reminded me of Bentley Little in that it was mid-range blood and guts horror, where everyday people are forced to battle a terrible evil in the suburbs. The revenge seeking ghost aspect is reminiscent of Joe Hill's Heart-Shaped Box. I have other horror suggestions through this link. Jonathan Maberry also has many nonfiction books about the world of the macabre.”

  Becky S. wrote this review Thursday, October 2 2008. ( reply | permalink )
• 
  • Rated 4 stars

  “Pine Deep knows evil and it is a dark evil. There is conventional evil and supernatural evil. Fast gripping read that leads to a very visually appealing story. I would recommend this to any fan of the horror genre.”

  William B wrote this review Monday, September 29 2008. ( reply | permalink )
• 
  • Rated 5 stars

  “Maberry has written a new horror classic that is reminiscent of early Stephen King, but still uniquely Maberry's voice. Not only is the story spooky and compelling, but I love that it is set just over the Delaware River from me in Bucks County and uses a lot of familiar Philly-area and eastern PA landmarks to set the scene. Thank goodness the trilogy is finally complete, because I had to start reading the second book the moment I finished this one and don't think I could bear to wait to see how the whole story is going to play out. Well-deserving of its Bram Stoker Award status.”

  Jacqueline H wrote this review Sunday, June 29 2008. ( reply | permalink )
• 
  • Rated 5 stars

  “A really solid modern horror/thriller. Great dialogue and plot. This is part one of a trilogy so be sure to check out the rest.”

  terry wrote this review Wednesday, December 19 2007. ( reply | permalink )
• 
  • Rated 4 stars

  “This is the first part of a trilogy--something the publisher seems to have neglected to mention anywhere on it or on its sequel. Full of good scares and good writing, this is how anyone who likes horror fiction will want their entertainment.”

  Gregory_Frost wrote this review Tuesday, September 18 2007. ( reply | permalink )
• 
  • Rated 0 stars

  “For me, this book was the big surprise-read for 2006. What an incredible break-out novel. Maberry writes like an old pro, despite the few typos that are present (editors, where are you?). There's everything a person could hope for in this tale's grand, epic vision: characters to love and hate, human and inhuman and other-than-human flaws that are delved into, comedy (surprisingly enough, for a book within the horror genre), drama, and heavy-duty suspense--and yes: HORROR!
  The idea that of writing a horror trilogy is not a new one, but it's new enough. It hasn't been done too often, and certainly not all that often with the success that this story's sure to have.
  If ever a reader has thought of writing a fan letter to an author, this book's probably going to be the one to push them over the edge into actually doing it. It's that good. Can't wait for the sequel.”

  robthepen wrote this review Wednesday, September 5 2007. ( reply | permalink )
• 
  • Rated 5 stars

  “30 years after a serial killer terrorized the small town of Pine Deep, it still has a reputation of the most haunted town in the U.S.
  This book is an incredible read. Its part of a trilogy, and the next installment (Dead Mans Song) is due 07/07. I cant wait. This was by far the BEST horror book I read in 2006.
  Fans of SK's 'Salem Lot as well as The Stand will probably enjoy it.”

  Enigma23 wrote this review Friday, January 26 2007. ( reply | permalink )