Finished audio 12-31-09, rating 2.5/5, fiction, pub. 2007
Jude Coyne is an aging rock star who goes through 20-year-old goth girls like candy. When his assistant finds a ghost for sale online he knows that Jude will want it. Only once Jude receives the old suit and the ghost with it bad things start to happen. The ghost turns deadly and Jude must face his past sins and accept that they are directly responsible for what is happening.
9 cds, 11 hours and countless good reviews later and I confess that I really did not like this book. The last two cds actually made me angry because I just wanted it to end. Harsh, yes, but true. This book was well written (by Stephen King’s son) but boring. I did not care about the characters at all and because of that this story just dragged on and on. I kept waiting for something exciting to happen, but was disappointed. My husband and I listened to this on our Christmas travels and we still had 2 cds when we got home. I finished listening on the treadmill and Jason decided not to bother finishing at all.
I confess that I did not enjoy the audio and I think that could have something to do with my dislike. It was so slow. If I had been reading it I may have been able to move along at a faster pace, but that doesn’t really solve the problem of characters I didn’t like. Hill is a talented writer and I would read another of his books, but not anytime soon. A disappointing way to end the year.
I checked this audio book out of the library.
Stacy's Books 
Interesting – I had no idea Stephen King has a son who writes – I certainly wouldn’t have guessed from the name. You’re right that skimming is easier in book form! We have had that happen to us on a car trip too, so now I try to take extra books on cd, just in case! But still, we have gotten so desperate we have ended up singing Christmas carols instead!
Ah yes, we always have several on a trip but this one tricked us. We kept waiting for something to happen. The writing was good, but nothing ever happened.
I’m sorry you didn’t like the story. I did enjoy it, though. 🙂
I read so many good reviews, so maybe my expectations were too high.
I find it a creepy read, though it didn’t make it on my favourites list.
I did think it was creepy, but the reader of the audio wasn’t creepy, so it kind of ruined it for me.
That’s disappinting. I have this book in my TBR so maybe I’ll let you know one day if it does work better in printed form. Being able to the control the pace could make a difference – I switched between formats when I read Instruments of darkness lately and I was much happier reading than listening.
I read many positive reviews of this one and I’m thinking much of my problem may have come from the audio format. Looking forward to seeing what you think.
I’m not really all that into creepy reads but it’s a bummer it wasn’t better for you, Stacy.
I’ve heard a lot about this book, too, but I’m not sure it’s for me. I can live with unlikable characters if I think they might have some redeeming quality, but it sounds like these don’t.
That may have been what I was waiting for, some character growth.
Bad characters and creepy? No thanks. I’ll pass. Good review however.
Yeah, I can’t stomach Stephen King even though his stories are so fascinating…so maybe that’s how this one would be for me…thanks for the great review!
It did feel amazingly close to a Stephen King novel.
I love the honest review. Sounds like one I’ll be skipping.
First, let me get a “haha” in at your Christmas dog. He’s so cute. I couldn’t get an antler on my cat; he wouldn’t have it.
(Gosh, I haven’t visited that long? It’s been crazy.)
Second, keep the honest reviews coming.
I think I have to be in just the right mood to be this honest 😉
That totally stinks!!! I bought this book for 50 cents…hope when (and if) I read it I’ll like it 😦
Well, it’s probably worth 50 cents 😉
I thought it might be too scary for me, so I passed on it. I think I’ll just let it go.
I agree with you … I didn’t care for this one too much either. I mostly read it because it was Stephen King’s son and I was curious.
Thank you, Jenners! I was feeling kinda bad because so many people liked it. Woo Hoo, I’m not alone 🙂
My sister didn’t like this one much either. But I’ve been wanting to read this book for so long and when finally I have it I don’t feel like not reading it 🙂
I do hope I like it better than you did.
Read it, Violet! Personally, I really enjoyed it. It’s a good scare, an interesting premise and very well written. I also enjoyed his book of short stories, 20th Century Ghosts.