Suburbia. Shady, tree-lined streets, well-tended lawns and cozy homes. A nice, quiet place to grow up. Unless you are teenage Meg or her crippled sister, Susan. On a dead-end street, in the dark, damp basement of the Chandler house, Meg and Susan are left captive to the savage whims and rages of a distant aunt who is rapidly descending into madness. It is a madness that infects all three of her sons-and finally the entire neighborhood. Only one troubled boy stands hesitantly between Meg and Susan and their cruel, torturous deaths. A boy with a very adult decision to make... ALSO INCLUDES TWO BONUS SHORT STORIES, ONE IN PRINT FOR THE FIRST TIME! INCLUDES A SPECIAL INTERVIEW WITH JACK KETCHUM AND THE SCREENWRITERS OF THE CONTROVERSIAL MOTION PICTURE!
--This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.
The Girl Next Door
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First Sentence
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Front Cover | Copyright | Excerpt | Back Cover
You think you know about pain? Read the first page Browse Sample Pages
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Most Helpful Customer Reviews
21 of 23 people found the following review helpful
By P. J. Walsh
Format:Mass Market Paperback
The Girl Next Door is probably the most disturbing book that I have ever read. The horrors depicted in the book almost all come directly from the Sylvia Likens murder case which took place in Indiana in the 1960's.
Given the extreme nature of the case that the book is based upon, it sometimes reads as sensational, or even exploitational, but the facts of the case add an element to the story that makes it incredibly difficult to dismiss.
Its a hard book to recommend because of the intense emotional impact that it has, yet in that respect, it should be read. Some of the acts described in the book will make you wince or turn your stomach, others hit some primal fears that exist in all of us and make the book impossible to forget.
The Girl Next Door is a true horror book and represents, in my opinion, one of the best works in that genre.
Read the book if you feel you have the stomach for it and, for once, do believe the hype.
As a footnote, I would also recommend The Basement by Kate Millett, a semi fictional account of the true story, told from the imagined perspectives of some of the people concerned. It adds further impact to the events described in The Girl Next Door.
Given the extreme nature of the case that the book is based upon, it sometimes reads as sensational, or even exploitational, but the facts of the case add an element to the story that makes it incredibly difficult to dismiss.
Its a hard book to recommend because of the intense emotional impact that it has, yet in that respect, it should be read. Some of the acts described in the book will make you wince or turn your stomach, others hit some primal fears that exist in all of us and make the book impossible to forget.
The Girl Next Door is a true horror book and represents, in my opinion, one of the best works in that genre.
Read the book if you feel you have the stomach for it and, for once, do believe the hype.
As a footnote, I would also recommend The Basement by Kate Millett, a semi fictional account of the true story, told from the imagined perspectives of some of the people concerned. It adds further impact to the events described in The Girl Next Door.
20 of 24 people found the following review helpful
By A Customer
Format:Hardcover
I have read hundreds of books in my lifetime. This one takes the cake for being the boldest, and most graphic. Even more so than Clive Barker. And to me, this is a good thing. Ketchum oversteps the boundaries of politically correctness on every page. The story itself is very simple. A young girl gets torchered in a basement by her legal guardian, and her sons. Why do they do this? We really don't know. I felt for this poor girl. I also felt for the boy who thinks he is in love with her. He can't decide to help her, or help the family with the massacre. This is why, I think, the novel succeeds. There is little plot to the novel. But it is without a doubt a page turner. if you are not easily offended, try this book. It will surprise you, and shock you. And like I said before, this is a good thing.
1 of 1 people found the following review helpful
Format:Kindle Edition|Amazon Verified Purchase
I found this book disturbing and socially interesting at the same time, I couldn`t put it down, the need to get to the end was overwhelming and I wasn`t sorry I read it.
Really scary the way cildren can be influenced by extremely poor parenting.......riveting!
Really scary the way cildren can be influenced by extremely poor parenting.......riveting!
1 of 1 people found the following review helpful
By H
Format:Kindle Edition|Amazon Verified Purchase
Ketchum tells the story as an older man who witnessed the horrific incidents as a teenager. A heart wrenching read and a page turner.
Not a book for you if you are easily offended. Although the incidents of torture on the poor young girl are horrifying Ketchum does not over do it on the detail just gives you the build up and cuts it off, you imagination does the rest.
Although brutal, the book is so excellently written I couldn't put it down. There isn't much of a plot to the story and there is no reasoning or explanation for the horrific behaviour or megs captors yet Ketchum captures the readers making it impossible to stop reading even if you want too.
Not a book for you if you are easily offended. Although the incidents of torture on the poor young girl are horrifying Ketchum does not over do it on the detail just gives you the build up and cuts it off, you imagination does the rest.
Although brutal, the book is so excellently written I couldn't put it down. There isn't much of a plot to the story and there is no reasoning or explanation for the horrific behaviour or megs captors yet Ketchum captures the readers making it impossible to stop reading even if you want too.
1 of 1 people found the following review helpful
By G. Lithgow
Format:Kindle Edition
Glorifying abuse...a novel with one simple story to tell that dwells to heavily on recounting the extreme physical acts like some sad snuff movie put into words.
12 of 15 people found the following review helpful
By A Customer
Format:Hardcover
For several years now I've been trying to help some people who were abused by their parents (sexual abuse, emotional abuse, physical violence, addictions) back in the 1960's and 1970's. So I was drawn to this book, compelled to read it, despite knowing that it would cause me pain!
There are important parts of this book which are searing because they are quite true, not just for Meg but for many abused children: being kept isolated, being taught to never talk to police or anyone who might help, then taking the risks of breaking those rules and having the friend/relative/teacher/counselor/police NOT believe you because "he's such a nice man he'd NEVER do anything like that!". And then getting punished again and again and again.
Another piece that's powerful because of its truth is the lifelong damage it does to David, the narrator, just becaue he witnessed parts of it close at hand. There is a powerful psychological truth in the overwhelming guilt and pain he feels for not doing more, for not doing enough, for failing to rescue. And in how later in life he is drawn to other women who were victims, who need rescuing.
Another important truth that was not recognized is that even his smallest actions to comfort Meg, to help her near the end, were accepted, were needed, as the only acts of kindness anyone had given her in a very long time. This memory is his only salvation.
An important lesson that must be taken from this book is how people who choose to be evil love to force everyone around them to participate in their evil. They need to force those around them to be evil just like themselves. Perhaps they do it only to perpetuate the cycle of evil, to force their crimes, their attitudes, onto the next generation.
... Read more ›17 of 22 people found the following review helpful
By Anna
VINE™ VOICE
Format:Mass Market Paperback
Truly, finished the book, took a shower, cried, then ripped the book to shreds and threw it away.
I read it more than 2 years ago, and I still felt compelled to review it. I've given it 5 stars because it is excellently written, but I can't help but think the only people who will want to read this book are people who are very dark. "Dark" is the only way I can describe it. People can analyse his "unflinching style" as much as they want, but the book is plain and simple dark.
Its being based on a true story seems tenuous, and part of me thinks this was written for its horror and darkness, then explained away (justified?) with a moral p.s - whether you get that, too, isn't for me to say. I know nothing about the author, but there *is* a certain amount of erotic joy that's translated itself into the way its written.
The 5 stars is because if you want to read a book about abuse - the worst, most disgusting, most hellish you'll ever read - and get a dark (again that word, but honestly) thrill out of it, this is the book for you. But, if you want to stay in the light, and things like rape and torture don't turn you on, stay a million miles away.
I read it more than 2 years ago, and I still felt compelled to review it. I've given it 5 stars because it is excellently written, but I can't help but think the only people who will want to read this book are people who are very dark. "Dark" is the only way I can describe it. People can analyse his "unflinching style" as much as they want, but the book is plain and simple dark.
Its being based on a true story seems tenuous, and part of me thinks this was written for its horror and darkness, then explained away (justified?) with a moral p.s - whether you get that, too, isn't for me to say. I know nothing about the author, but there *is* a certain amount of erotic joy that's translated itself into the way its written.
The 5 stars is because if you want to read a book about abuse - the worst, most disgusting, most hellish you'll ever read - and get a dark (again that word, but honestly) thrill out of it, this is the book for you. But, if you want to stay in the light, and things like rape and torture don't turn you on, stay a million miles away.
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Most Recent Customer Reviews
5.0 out of 5 stars
The girl next door
Brilliant I could not put it down. Now to watch the film I hope it's as good as the book
Published 5 days ago by rachael williams
5.0 out of 5 stars
seriously disturbng
I recently read this book and have to say it was the most disturbing book I've read and I have read a few in my time. Read more
Published 2 months ago by fhiona
1.0 out of 5 stars
Don't believe the reviews!
I started this book intrigued by other user reviews who made this out to sound horrifying.
It is nasty when you think about it from a real life view, however if you read... Read more
It is nasty when you think about it from a real life view, however if you read... Read more
Published 3 months ago by Miss K Greaves
5.0 out of 5 stars
amazing but horrendous
icouldnt believe what i was reading, horrendous is the only word i can think of to describe this story, amazing writer such graffic details, if you havent read it yet dont hesitate... Read more
Published 3 months ago by wroyland
3.0 out of 5 stars
Horrifying
I couldn't finish this book because it was so painful to read. I'm glad I didn't have to pay for it and could borrow it for free because I hadn't realized that it was based on a... Read more
Published 4 months ago by Borbála
5.0 out of 5 stars
brilliant book
I saw the film and therefore I wanted to read the book. What a awesome book although it made me cry at the end because of what that horrid woman and her boys did to poor Meg I... Read more
Published 4 months ago by emma
1.0 out of 5 stars
you sick bastard
I didn't finish "The Girl Next Door". I deleted it from my kindle. I wish I never bought it. Read more
Published 4 months ago by Charles Sarsby
1.0 out of 5 stars
Poor rip off
I finished this book 2 weeks ago and have spent the time since trying to think of any positive comment. There are none! Read more
Published 4 months ago by J C
4.0 out of 5 stars
The Girl Next Door
Excellent read. Did not want to put the book down even though I didn't want to know what horrific thing was going to happen next.
Published 4 months ago by Zoe Hallas
5.0 out of 5 stars
The Girl Next Door
Enjoyed this book especially when I knew it was based on a true story disturbing would read another Jack Ketchum book
Published 5 months ago by Agnes Ann Kelly
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