Heart-Shaped Box

by Joe Hill
Heart-Shaped Box cover
Good Books rating 3.5
Horror
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Paperback • £10.99
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Technical
  • ID: 7580
  • Added: 2025-12-16
  • Updated: 2025-12-30
  • ISBN: 9781473223066
  • Publisher: Gollancz
  • Published: 2017-10-31
  • Formats: 1
  • Reviews: 3

Jude, a famous hard/goth rock musician, is known for his eclectic and macabre collection of artifacts. When he receives an email offering to sell him his stepfather's ghost, he can't resist adding it to his collection, especially when it comes in a heart-shaped box. However, this particular acquisition proves to be far more sinister than anything he's encountered before. The ghost, with its eerie black scribbles over its eyes, begins to haunt Jude, making his home feel cold and his dogs bark incessantly. As the ghost's presence grows stronger, Jude finds himself running for his life, realizing that some things are better left undisturbed. /n/n The novel delves into the darker aspects of the supernatural, exploring themes of guilt, redemption, and the consequences of one's actions. The author's vivid and chilling descriptions create an atmosphere of dread and suspense, drawing readers into Jude's terrifying ordeal. With its unique blend of horror and rock 'n' roll culture, 'Heart-Shaped Box' offers a fresh and unsettling take on the classic ghost story.

Reviews
Fantasy Book Review · 2025-12-16
chilling 3.50

The horror in this book comes not from the ghost but from the terrifying actions people inflict on each other. It's a chilling exploration of human cruelty.

This reviewer found the true horror in Heart-Shaped Box lies not in the supernatural elements but in the horrifying things people do to one another. The ghost is indeed scary, but it's the human capacity for cruelty that truly unsettles. The book is a gripping exploration of fear and the darkness within us all. They appreciated the clever plot and the way the story delves into the psychological impact of fear, making it a memorable read.

Quick quotes

    It's not a book where you are scared of the ghost, but it is a book where you can be scared of the horrific things people will do to one another.

    The main quality of Heart-Shaped Box is that it has an interesting main character.

    This is a genuinely chilling, creepy, daren't turn the lights out, ghost story with fantastically realised characters.

Katie Marie Writer · Katie Marie · 2024-06-22
great 4.00

This is a great story, though not their favorite Joe Hill book. The characters are well-developed and engaging.

Katie Marie enjoyed Heart-Shaped Box, though they found it wasn't their favorite Joe Hill book. They particularly liked the characters, which they found well-developed and engaging. The story is compelling, with a good mix of horror and character development. They appreciated the depth of the characters and the way the story unfolds, making it a satisfying read. However, they felt that Horns was a stronger book overall.

Quick quotes

    I think that this is a great story, though it is not my favourite Joe Hill book, Horns was my personal favourite so far.

    The characters in Heart-Shaped Box are well-developed and engaging.

    The story is compelling, with a good mix of horror and character development.

Mike Finn's Fiction · Mike Finn · 2019-11-15
dark 3.00

This novel is filled with violence, fear, and the overwhelming presence of a truly evil spirit. It's a dark and intense read.

Mike Finn found Heart-Shaped Box to be a dark and intense novel, filled with violence, fear, and the presence of an overwhelmingly evil spirit. The story delves into some heavy themes, including child abuse and self-harm, making it a challenging but impactful read. They appreciated the depth of the story and the way it explores the darker aspects of human nature. The prose is gripping, and the plot is filled with twists and turns that keep the reader engaged.

Quick quotes

    A novel filled with violence, fear, child abuse, self-harm, and maiming and with the overwhelming presence of a truly evil spirit.

    It's a dark and intense read that delves into some heavy themes.

    The prose is gripping, and the plot is filled with twists and turns that keep the reader engaged.

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