Sixty-Five Stirrup Iron Road

A few months ago I had a bought of obsession with the literary genre of splatter-punk--particularly any books from extreme horror publisher Deadite Press. I was both fascinated by the seemingly intricate writing style these writers presented while still being appalled by the images of debauchery and violence that was presented in the text. Many times I would put down a book halfway through and swear I wouldn't pick it back up. But the draw of the story and pulled me in. It was like I was staring at a graphic public beheading--similar to medieval style torture--and couldn't look away. I even tried my hand at writing in this style--which I quite enjoyed--and managed to horrify some of the students and teachers in my creative writing classes at conservative BYU-Idaho.The last splatter-punk book I picked up and read was a little collaboration between nine well-known authors. That book is Sixty-Five Stirrup Iron Road.I picked the book up because I was interested in the idea of so many authors working together to create a singular tale. Additionally, the authors were writing the book to help support their friend Tom Piccirilli, who was having a bought with cancer.I figured that I was interested in each of the authors individually, and I would be helping to support a good cause. So I ordered a copy and eagerly awaited its arrival.When the book arrived I immediately started reading and was immediately disgusted.The book begins by following a young girl named Nicci who performs oral sex on men to make her living. Nicci is caught by the police and charged with prostitution. She is sent to jail for a few months and then put on house arrest at her brother's home which is located at 65 Stirrup Iron Road.It is there that she begins to experience strange and disturbing phenomenon. Images of sexual debauchery, demonic forces, and violence all haunt her at the house. Nicci wants to put the blame on her brother but soon realizes that there are far more sinister forces at work.When her brother is brutally murdered and his body parts strewn in little bits all around the house Nicci finally loses it. She is charged with the murder of her brother and sent to the local insane asylum.Already, just from reading the prologue, it is apparent that this novel in no way is trying to take itself seriously. In no way does it resemble the brutally and gritty horror of such novels as The Offspring. No, Sixty-Five Stirrup Iron Road has no intentions of being a serious and reflective horror novel. The entire purpose is to be a perverse and demented as humanly possible.Ten years later a married couple move into the house. Arrianne and Chuck are trying to find a new life. They are trying to make one last effort to save their marriage and their sanity. Little do they know that they've moved into the sadistic house from hell.As I've often found with splatter-punk novels, I really began to enjoy these characters. These authors obviously have the talent to write meaningful work. So I often wonder why they write such sick fantasies instead.As Chuck goes off to work each day Arrianne stays in the house and tries to regain her sanity. But, when one say she finds some of the sickest porn on the internet in her husband's computer she freaks out. And this is just the beginning.Soon, the sickness of the pornography that seems to infect every digital device on the house begins to infect her brain and desires. It is as if some entity in the house has the sickest fetishes known to man and is planning on using them on the house guests.I don't want to go into more detail on the story than that since it gets pretty disturbing. However, I will say that as the novel begins to move towards its climax that the authors begin to write themselves into the novel as characters.Quickly it becomes apparent what the true intention of the novel is. It wasn't just there to be as sick and disgusting as possible. It is actually nine authors who are doing a meta-analysis of why they bother writing in this genre and why anyone bothers reading it.This aspect alone is what redeems this horrific little novel. It is humors listening to these author's go back and forth and discuss the horrors that they write. They acknowledge their own sick minds and some detail why they do it. It is enjoyable to see them criticize each other and their own work, to acknowledge what elements went too far or were wrong.But ultimately the novel itself punishes the authors for their sick work. As all but one of the authors become trapped in the story they are doomed to death and torture in the most vile ways.I wouldn't recommend this book to anyone. It is so unbelievably obscene that most readers would have put it down after the first ten to fifteen pages. Each chapter is like a competition between authors to see who can create the most disturbing imagery.I too quit many times throughout the book. However, I decided I needed to finish the book and get it out of my system. But this was the catalyst that ended my reading of splatter-punk novels, at least for a while.Unless you are a sucker for the grotesque and torture, or if you're interested in a meta-fiction analysis of extreme horror, I would recommend that you not read this book. It has some of the most vile scenes of literature that I've ever read in my life--on par with and even worse than Sadie the Sadist. I enjoyed the elements of meta-fiction but they weren't worth the first 75% of the book. If you really want an analysis of extreme horror than go look at literary journals and critics.(Originally posted on www.asliceofhorror.com)

Caution: This story is not for the masses. Even if you are a fan of one or more of the authors involved, you may want to think twice.Sixty-Five Stirrup Iron Road is a project with proceeds going to help defray the massive medical expenses incurred by Tom Piccirilli's battle against brain cancer. A worthwhile endeavor by some of my favorite genre writers.So here we have Brian Keene, Jack Ketchum, Edward Lee, J F Gonzalez, Bryan Smith, Wrath James White, Nate Southard, Ryan Harding and Shane McKenzie writing a round-robin style, gross-out ghost story. Each managing to outdo the last in the lengths they will go to disgust and potentially alienate the reader. In many cases they will succeed in that endeavor. As a result there are already a number of 1 Star reviews. Reviews that I can actually see as a twisted badge of honor for the writers involved.If Sixty-Five Stirrup Road was Movie, it would likely be rated NC-17. An NC-17 rating can be based on violence, sex, aberrational behavior, drug abuse or any other element that most parents would consider too strong and therefore off-limits for viewing by their children. I'd say this book meets and exceeds those qualifications.So, do you think I've adequately covered how sick, depraved and morally reprehensible Sixty-Five Stirrup Iron Road is? If so, let's get to the good stuff.Yes, there is a story. It's either an evil or haunted house and those who live there, or find themselves nearby, are slowly overcome by sexual desires of the most perverse variety. Go ahead and dwell on what that might mean, then pick a number from one to ten and multiply. Trust me, you're not even close.Sixty-Five Stirrup Iron Road is not a literary masterpiece. It was never meant to be. What it is is a wild, no holds barred romp filled with sex and violence. I did enjoy the tag team approach to writing the novel. One writer would take a chapter, he'd be joined by a second writer for the next chapter and then that writer would go solo only to be joined by someone else for the next and so on.And then there's the payoff. No spoiler here, but let's say if you are a fan of these guys, follow any of them on Facebook or Twitter, have spent time with them at a horror convention, you're gonna love what happens next.Sixty-Five Stirrup Iron Road is available now as both a paperback and ebook from Amazon.com and remember proceeds go to defray Tom Piccirilli's medical expenses associated with his fight against brain cancer. Go Tom!It you have a strong constitution and are not easily offended, I can strongly recommend Sixty-Five Stirrup Iron Road. Sixty-Five Stirrup Iron Road

I was so excited when I saw the first three big names on the front of this book. This has got to go down in history as a cult classic. As I was reading, I was thinking that one of my other favourite authors would have been a brilliant co-writer in this book. Imagine my excitement when I got half way through and Ryan Harding's name popped up! As I said, I hadn't checked out the contributors before purchasing...just saw that three of my fave authors had written this. Where to start with this amazing tale? If you are a fan of any of these authors, this is one book that you have to buy above all others. Typical blood, guts, gore, depravity and sex reign supreme in this book, but you wouldn't expect anything less from this bunch. It tells the story of a house where strange things begin to happen to the new occupants. That's all I'm going to say about the storyline, as I don't want to ruin it for you. What I will say is watch out for your favourite authors appearing! Now this, I thought, was a brilliant concept. Too exciting! I was actually giggling at their appearances, and could imagine them trying to be mean to each other as they each wrote their respective parts. I was also touched by the mention of my favourite author ever, Richard Laymon, and the playful referral to his work. The book is perfectly edited and you won't want to put it down once you start reading. It's like spending time with old friends. The last few chapters were especially amusing, in a warped kind of way. This book's proceeds are going to Tom Piccirilli, so another great reason to buy it. I love every single one of these authors, and if you are a fan you will adore this book. Be warned...it is not for the squeamish. However, the chances are that if you are buying this book, you will be well aware of they type of book you will be getting. Just multiply your expectations by 100 and you have a good guide as to how much depravity you will be getting. I hope they get together again to give us more. Fabulous!

Okay. It's for a good cause. The book was written to raise money for Tom Piccirilli which is great. It also had six of my favourite authors which was another bonus but it just didn't work. It feels really disjointed and by the end the authors started appearing in the story to eradicate characters they didn't feel fitted anymore. I really didn't enjoy that.It's basically a bit of an Amityville style story. I liked the back story but didn't enjoy or care about what happened to any other characters in the book as no one fleshed them out. It starts of kind of okay and then losses pace then just gets silly. I had really high hopes for this book and I'm glad I bought it as it's for a good cause but I didn't enjoy it.

Was a good story and adding the twist in like they did was different if not a little confusing. Still a enjoyable book though

Fabulous book that i was engrosed in, i would recommend this to hard core horror fans, it also has a great twist at the end.

Truly brilliant. Some of the greatest hard gore writes teaming up! What could go wrong....