Not bad. Not all that good either. I think the book might be a bit dated. It's certainly an easy read, which almost all of Ketchum's books are. (At least the ones I've read.)

The characters sometimes veer into single dimensions and become a parody of themselves. Mostly they are just annoying. The main baddie in this one was incel 'get over yourself' annoying that crossed over into murderous and completely delusional. All of the characters were self centered and slightly delusional, he was just a few steps ahead of them. ( )

I don't think that I've been disappointed by a Jack Ketchum book. Some are extremely intense and grisly (THE GIRL NEXT DOOR and OFFSPRING both jump to mind). Others are slower moving but still grisly. Maybe this difference can be explained as the story having an element of likelihood to it. Most of his story have an element of this could happen with some really bad luck; this is as opposed to wow, I really was a neighbor to that serial killer, gun-toting teenager, crazed homeless person, whomever. JOYRIDE is more of the not as intense and not as likely to happen but still grisly stories.

Carole and Lee have a problem with their relationship; it is Carole's ex-husband Howard who still intimidates and abuses Carole. After the police don't provide a solution, Lee and Carole decide to kill Howard. This would have worked except that Wayne, a sociopath who hasn't quite gone over the edge yet, sees the murder and then kidnaps Lee and Carole.

The book is entertaining, fun and a quick read. While I could complain that some characters weren't developed that much, I would also have to compliment that others were developed more than their share. And while it might not be Ketchum's best, that does not mean it should be ignored. ( )

This book starts off painfully slow. When the action starts off it lacks real terror. It was more of random, scattered events. I would have liked more character depth, and detail. There were hints of sexual abuse, but never really explains. I had a hard time relating to any of the characters. Not one of Ketchum's best works.

The extra short story at the end of the book however, was powerful. That is why I gave this 3 stars. ( )

Lee e Carole, due amanti uniti più dalla disperazione che dall’amore, decidono di uccidere l’ex marito di lei, un violento ubriacone che la perseguita, e architettano un delitto perfetto…
Ma Wayne Lock, un anonimo barista minato dalla pazzia, li sorprende, costringendoli a seguirlo nelle sue atroci scorribande notturne che gettano la città nel panico. Lee e Carole diventano così gli spettatori inermi di una serie di assurdi delitti, finché un giorno, sfiniti da quel gioco crudele e dalla loro impotenza, tentano di ribellarsi… ( )

Can't get enough of this guy. Read it from beginning to end without a break. ( )