Peaceable Kingdom

Truly a phenomenal anthology, I buzzed through Ketchum's collection like a goose through a field of June-bugs, smacking my lips at every tasty morsel. There are thirty-two stories here in this collection, way to many to give even the briefest of synopsis for each, but trust me when I say that Ketchum runs a gamut here from realism to surrealism straight through the ethereal and on into the pits of hell itself. Yummy. A Mother sees her ten year old son for the monster he is, a mysterious empty box that leaves death in its wake, parrots and body-painting in a haunted bar, the unbreakable melding of minds with twins, a dying author's last wish, new methods of gentlemen's justice, just to skim a few teasers. Of special mention are the tales "Meagan's Law", a horrifying look at a real life monster that twists your views around; "The Great San Diego Sleazy Bimbo Massacre", a brutal and hilarious tale of two barflys and an unwanted husband; "The Rose", in which a tattoo artist frees a slave; and "Lines: Or Like Franco, Is Elvis Still Dead", a realistically scary tale of Fatal Attraction. Ketchum has proven in this collection that he not only writes well, but can cross whatever genre he chooses successfully. Wild, weird, wonderful, horrific, and even inspiring, this is a must-have for you anthology collection. Includes Introduction and Afterward by Jack Ketchum, both factually interesting enough to take note of. Enjoy!

If you like 'some' Ketchum or 'all' Ketchum this is an absolute must have for your library! One of Ketchum's greatest draws is his diverse writing, from macabre to simply chilling, from 'mainstream' to hardcore, and from unnerving to straight out jaw clenching - and this collection covers ALL the bases! With an introduction that will make you smile this book begins with a bang... literally in 'The Rifle.' The first story is not forgotten as you delve into the various tunnels of his macabre mind and travel through these stories that attack your senses - in fact, The Rifle is the story that sticks with me still. Writing on the edge of reality, Ketchum empowers his readers with the gift of 'what if' and you tend to leave his works with furrowed brow and fearful contemplation. From a mother's dilemma to a western setting, he has the ability to put horror into any normal situation and remove your securities. Characters are generally difficult to develop fully in short stories, but Ketchum leaves you with several memorable creations. There is truly something for everyone within these pages. Whether you like hardcore or subtle, modern or classic, you will walk away wanting more. A solid 5. If you've never read Ketchum, this is a great sampler - if you have you'll love this!

This book is worth the price alone for the story titled MAIL ORDER, which is one of the best short horror tales I've read in years (think a more demented version of the film 8MM). Kethcum shines with this collection, and the few non-horror tales (plus a western) all keep the readers' interest. Horror fans will eat this up. The thirty-two tales fly by.

When one gets to know an author through his or her fiction, one comes to expect a certain sameness or familiarity in their work, a comfortable foundation on which they will build a new, but not entirely unfamiliar story. With Ketchum, one must only expect a well written story, because that is the only similarity you are going to get. He has written so broadly and so well over the years, and this collection is the highlight of a brilliant, if somewhat underappreciated, career. It collects most of his short fiction, contains a few stories exclusive to this edition, and reprints all but two stories from his earlier and long out of print collection The Exit At Toledo Blade Boulevard. If you get the Subterranean Press limited edition, you will find some artwork to two of the stories, if you get the Leisure edition, you will find a new afterword. I recommend them both. Some of these stories will make you laugh, some will make you cry, some will leave you stunned. The range of this author far outshines any other, and you can't go wrong with this book.

I was first turned onto Ketchum's work through a co-worker, and have been an avid fan ever since. Still have yet to read Off Season or Cover,but I've been in awe of this author since his dark coming of age tale The Girl Next Door. Ketchum's voice, in case you don't know is EXTREMELY dark which shows through his writing. This collection of stories range in styles, you have everything from westerns, to sci-fi,and of course,straight freaky-*** horror. I'm only about halfway through this book, but the stories that I will definately be re-reading are The Box-Stoker winner for short story. Dear GOD!!!! It's creepy!!!The Work-might be some autobiographical aspects to this story, but once you read it,you hope and pray that this won't happen.Ketchum's voice is dark, but if you consider yourself a fan of horror, give it a try. And oh yes, Leisure books rule!!!