Joyland by Stephen King
Review by Lauren
Source: copy from library; all opinions are my own
Official Summary: After realizing his
romantic life is not going in the direction he’d hoped, Devin Jones
decides to take a summer job at an amusement park. There he makes
friends with Tom Kennedy and Erin Cook, also summer hires at Joyland,
which years before had been the scene of the murder of a young woman
named Linda Gray whose ghost is said to be seen at the Horror House. He
also befriends a young boy, named Mike Ross and his mother, Annie. Their
lives all become entwined when Devin decides to investigate the mystery
of Linda Gray’s unsolved murder by the “Carny Killer.”
romantic life is not going in the direction he’d hoped, Devin Jones
decides to take a summer job at an amusement park. There he makes
friends with Tom Kennedy and Erin Cook, also summer hires at Joyland,
which years before had been the scene of the murder of a young woman
named Linda Gray whose ghost is said to be seen at the Horror House. He
also befriends a young boy, named Mike Ross and his mother, Annie. Their
lives all become entwined when Devin decides to investigate the mystery
of Linda Gray’s unsolved murder by the “Carny Killer.”
Review: The only other Stephen King novel I
have read was Misery, which was interesting, but definitely not a book
for my favorites list. Joyland wouldn’t make that list either, but it is
something I would recommend reading, especially if you like mysteries
with very little violence or gore. When I think of King, I tend to
imagine truly creepy stories that keep you up at night, but Joyland
isn’t really like that. Overall, it is about a young man named Devin who
begins working at an amusement park called…you guessed it…Joyland.
Amusement parks make me think of summer, so it might be a good time to check this story out.
have read was Misery, which was interesting, but definitely not a book
for my favorites list. Joyland wouldn’t make that list either, but it is
something I would recommend reading, especially if you like mysteries
with very little violence or gore. When I think of King, I tend to
imagine truly creepy stories that keep you up at night, but Joyland
isn’t really like that. Overall, it is about a young man named Devin who
begins working at an amusement park called…you guessed it…Joyland.
Amusement parks make me think of summer, so it might be a good time to check this story out.
The beginning of the book doesn’t seem to have
all that much mystery or intrigue. We, as readers, know that there will
be more, so it keeps us reading and a bit in suspense of what’s to come.
Devin soon comes to learn that a young woman was murdered at Joyland
years ago and her killer had never been caught. Some people seem to
believe that the Horror House is haunted, as that is where she had been killed and thrown aside. Eventually, Devin becomes interested enough to
want to know more. Fellow Joyland employee Tom Kennedy is spooked by a
trip into Horror House and refuses to investigate, but Erin Cook
continues to look into the murder after her Joyland summer is over,
offering what she finds to Devin.
all that much mystery or intrigue. We, as readers, know that there will
be more, so it keeps us reading and a bit in suspense of what’s to come.
Devin soon comes to learn that a young woman was murdered at Joyland
years ago and her killer had never been caught. Some people seem to
believe that the Horror House is haunted, as that is where she had been killed and thrown aside. Eventually, Devin becomes interested enough to
want to know more. Fellow Joyland employee Tom Kennedy is spooked by a
trip into Horror House and refuses to investigate, but Erin Cook
continues to look into the murder after her Joyland summer is over,
offering what she finds to Devin.
Now, I’m not one of those people who tend to
guess the culprit in a mystery novel, so this one came as a surprise to
me. I can’t say it won’t be a thought with some people, but I guess
that’s always the chance when reading these books. In all though, I
thought the mystery was well done, and like I said, there isn’t really
any violence and gore so it’s a pretty tame read. Joyland contains a bit
of the supernatural as well, which made some aspects of the ending a
bit too easy, but overall, I did enjoy this one.
guess the culprit in a mystery novel, so this one came as a surprise to
me. I can’t say it won’t be a thought with some people, but I guess
that’s always the chance when reading these books. In all though, I
thought the mystery was well done, and like I said, there isn’t really
any violence and gore so it’s a pretty tame read. Joyland contains a bit
of the supernatural as well, which made some aspects of the ending a
bit too easy, but overall, I did enjoy this one.
I've only read one other Stephen King novel before, Under The Dome and that was a monster of a book, but pretty boring actually. He's a great author, but I'm not sure I understand why he's so popular really. Is it the amount of books he's churned out maybe? Maybe I've just read the wrong one. Amusement park you say? Count me in. I'm hoping there might be a little bit of sinister intrigue in there, really kickstart the heart a little. Awesome review Lauren and so glad you enjoyed this more than your last SK novel. Will you be reading more in the future?
Misery was a good read, I haven't read this Joyland though but seems like one I should check out. Thanks for sharing!
Glad you enjoyed overall. I haven't read any King in along time, I feel like I have gravitated away from horror.
What a coincidence, I've just been speaking to my mam who has just finished reading this very book. Interesting to compare your thoughts on it, mam enjoyed it though not nearly as much as she did Misery.
I think this is a first I have heard about a King book not being gory or full of blood and guts. Glad it was a nice mystery even if it won't be a favorite.
Great review!
Great review, I think I have read everything he has ever written, and yes I did guess but still enjoyed the ride.
I'm actually quite surprised that you said this was tame, because I would've expected gore. Surprising!
I haven't read a Stephen King book in years, but this one sounds intriguing – I like that it has a mysterious element to it {on top of being scary}.
xx
I've never heard of this one. I like some of King, but he usually goes way too far in the gore department for me. I might take a look at this one. Thanks.
I haven't ever read any Stephen King books. I am a wimp1 This one sounds like something I can do. No gore and a mystery with a little supernatural. Thanks for the review!
I haven't read a King novel in YEARS. They all started sounding similar so I took a break and never got back to him.
Amusement parks are creepy in general though lol so good setting for a King novel.
Karen @For What It's Worth
I've never read a Stephen King novel, but this one sounds worth a try 🙂
I think I would appreciate it more since it doesn't have violence or gore but I kind of expect it with the theme.
Hmm… I don't know about the supernatural aspect. That tends to happen randomly and ruin a book for me. It is worth considering, though. I've only read The Shining myself which did spook me a bit especially that hotel room *shudders*.
I'm actually scared to read Misery. Why did you find it just okay?
Hmm, I've also only read one other King book and that was Carrie and I wasn't a huge fan. I really want to like his work though, like you said, when I think of him I think dark and creepy and I want to read a book of his that proves that. Nice review!
I'm not sure if I would ever read a Stephen King narrative. I remember watching It and The Shining as a child and not being able to sleep for months! Ha ha ha! I can't imagine what it would be like to read one of his narratives! I'm glad you enjoyed this one 🙂
I haven't read a Stephen King yet, went to read Carrie a while ago but got distracted by another book, though I really want to read The Colorado Kid, because I love Haven, but heard it's really different from it. That aside, this one sounds good, not great, but I do love a good mystery. 🙂
For someone who LOVES all things horror, I have actually never read any of King's books. Maybe I should? Probably. I love mysteries too! 🙂