Stranglehold

Rating:
Summary: Jack, are you posting these reviews yourself?
Review: "Jack Ketchum must be read" - oh, give me a break, people. Try reading a mature novel written for adults with intelligence instead. The only thing Jack Ketchum cares about getting a "stranglehold" on is your wallet. And what's with the cheesy cover art on all his books?

Rating:
Summary: Second only to _Girl Next Door_ in its power to disturb.
Review: Despite what one or two of the other reviewers has said, this is indeed a great novel. It is not an easy novel to read, however, given the highly disturbing nature of the subject matter--child abuse--and the realistic way Ketchum portrays it. It is also a novel in which good does not triumph over evil (that's not really much of a spoiler, by the way--this almost never happens in a Ketchum book), which might also limit your enjoyment. It's not the book to choose if you want to curl up in front of the fireplace and enjoy a comforting, light, easy read. But, if you're willing to confront some of the more disturbing aspects of the human condition and the flawed nature of some of our society's institutions which sometimes enable, rather than prevent, nasty things to happen, give this book a try. It's second only to Ketchum's _The Girl Next Door_ in the level of nasty, disturbing, realistic horror that he's able to bring to his storytelling.

Rating:
Summary: Second only to _Girl Next Door_ in its power to disturb.
Review: Despite what one or two of the other reviewers has said, this is indeed a great novel. It is not an easy novel to read, however, given the highly disturbing nature of the subject matter--child abuse--and the realistic way Ketchum portrays it. It is also a novel in which good does not triumph over evil (that's not really much of a spoiler, by the way--this almost never happens in a Ketchum book), which might also limit your enjoyment. It's not the book to choose if you want to curl up in front of the fireplace and enjoy a comforting, light, easy read. But, if you're willing to confront some of the more disturbing aspects of the human condition and the flawed nature of some of our society's institutions which sometimes enable, rather than prevent, nasty things to happen, give this book a try. It's second only to Ketchum's _The Girl Next Door_ in the level of nasty, disturbing, realistic horror that he's able to bring to his storytelling.

Rating:
Summary: you wont want to finish it, but you'll have to
Review: incomprehensible, depressing, sick, but what nakes stranglehold so riveting is its realistic characters and story that could actually happen. I had to stop reading several times because I did not want to read on, but I had to, and sure enough, in Ketchum style things somehow get worse. I finished the book in about 3 hours on the day I recieved it. I know there are a lot of reviews out there on this book, but it leaves such an impression on the reader, one feels inclined to write down their opinion. reader beware: second only to The Girl Next Door in stories that delve into the depths of human tragedy, and leave you feeling as dirty as the characters in the story

Rating:
Summary: Jack, are you posting these reviews yourself?
Review: Stranglehold is the perfect name for this book, because that is exactly what it does to the reader, it locks you in its grips till the last page. Even after you have finished the book, it still has you in a "stranglehold". I am a big Jack Ketchum fan and have read all but 3 of his books, this is definately one of his best!