Book Review – The Black Phone by Joe Hill
Published, 2014
⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐
Finney is a young lad, recently turned thirteen, waiting for his father and drinking grape soda. When the man across the street staggers about, overladen with shopping and struggling with his car keys, an almost comic scene ensues, with the fat man dropping his shopping and taking a tumble. But it’s just the beginning of a sudden and shocking kidnapping.
The writing was sparse, with not a word wasted, but it was really rather beautiful. The characters were well-drawn and sympathetic. The scenery was poignant and powerful. This was my first time reading Joe Hill and he did not disappoint.
I found the opening scene very evocative. It put me in mind of the snatch-scene in ’The Silence of the Lambs’ mixed with a dash of ‘IT’, although that was probably due to the presence of balloons.
The biggest surprise is this: it’s only twenty-six pages long. If you’re looking for something quick and creepy, this is it.
Petrina Binney - Author 